How
Do We Keep Him Safe?
Theodore G. Coutilish and Mary Beth Langan, September 10,
2004
For more articles like this
visit
https://www.bridges4kids.org.
Many things may
run through a parent’s mind after he or she reads about certain
tragedies.
In the past month, you may have heard of three people with
autism who died after wandering from their homes. One died as
the result of being hit by an automobile; two drowned within a
short distance of home.
How do we keep Andrew, our 3 1/2-year-old son, safe? How does
anyone keep his or her child safe?
Within 45 minutes of calling Lt. Ron Wieczorek of the City of
Grosse Pointe Police Department, Andrew was being fingerprinted
for his safety ID card. All of the Grosse Pointe officers they
saw were friendly.
We hope Andrew will continue to learn officers are not people of
whom to be afraid. If he’s afraid of them, he may run away from
them at a time when he actually needs them and should be running
toward them.
There are even more reasons to teach this lesson to a child with
special needs:
* It is five to 10 times more likely for a person with a
disability to have contact with the police.
* Individuals with a disability are four to 10 times more likely
to be victims of crime.
* Individuals with a disability are 50 to 99 percent more likely
to be victimized by someone they know, such as a relative,
teacher or bus driver (“Protecting Loved Ones With Autism,” C.
Gammicchia, ASA Advocate, 2003, 2nd edition).
While at the police station for the fingerprinting, Mary Beth
and Andrew dropped off a flier that invites folks, including
first responders, to a Dennis Debbaudt presentation on September
27. Debbaudt is an internationally recognized authority on
Autism Spectrum Disorders and safety issues. His presentation
that morning will be “Autism Spectrum Disorders – Preventing
Unfortunate Situations and Recognizing the Needs of Individuals
with ASD in Our Communities.”
By the end of the day, Mary Beth had Andrew’s safety ID card
completed, including his little fingerprints, and the knowledge
that the City of Grosse Pointe Police Department was sending
someone to participate in the training with Debbaudt. She slept
a bit more sound that night knowing she had done a little to
help keep Andrew safe.
It may help you get a good night’s rest, too.
back to the top ~
back to Breaking News
~ back to
What's New
|