Autism Safety
How do I keep my Child with Autism Safe?
How Do I Keep my Child with Autism Safe?
Wandering and Home Safety
National Autism Association, info on wandering, safety resources and toolkits for caregivers, teachers and first responders that can be downloaded or ordered for free. They have the Big Red Safety Boxes with door alarms and much more (free during grant cycles) to help with safety at home & at school: http://nationalautismassociation.org/big-red-safety-box/
Wandering Brochure: http://awaare.nationalautismassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/wanderingbrochure.pdf
Safety Toolkit.: http://nationalautismassociation.org/store/#!/NAAs-Be-REDy-Booklet-for-Caregivers/p/57859415/category=2416355
Organization for Autism Research offers a very comprehensive guide to wandering and autism safety that can be downloaded or ordered for free: Life Journey Through Autism: A Guide to Safety: https://researchautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/A_Guide_to_Safety.pdf
The Autism Safety Project, by Autism Speaks, is designed to provide families affected by autism with tips, information, expert advice and resources so that everyone in our community can stay out of harm's way. https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/autism-safety-project
If I Need Help, non profit provides free, customizable Patches, Shoe Tags, iD Cards, Window Clings, Bumper Stickers, Dog Tags, Pins, Clips & More that you print out on your own. https://ifineedhelp.org/
Safe Signals, by Autism Speaks, has created a 20 minute video of safety tips in the home so individuals with autism can see the pointers for safety in each room of the home in action. https://www.autismspeaks.org/worksheet/safe-signals-workbook and PDF: https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/2018-09/safe_signals_project.pdf
“Wandering: How Affordable Smart-Home Technology Can Help Keep Our Kids Safe”, webinar by NAA, register for free to watch: http://nationalautismassociation.org/family-support/programs/autism-atrium/
“Autism-Related Wandering: Keeping Our Kids Safe”, webinar by NAA, register for free to watch: http://nationalautismassociation.org/family-support/programs/autism-atrium/
“Safety Issues in the Home and School”, video by The Johnson Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgVLtbFEryc
Teaching Safety Skills to Children with Autism, by SPARK: https://sparkforautism.org/discover_article/teaching-safety-skills-to-children-with-autism/
Silence is NOT an Option, A parent-driven plan to keep our children safe at home and at school: http://www.handsandvoices.org/resources/OUR/SafetyAttachmentIntro_v1.pdf
Home Safety for People with Disabilities Tip Sheet, https://www.nfpa.org/downloadable-resources/safety-tip-sheets/home-safety-for-people-with-disabilities-tip-sheet
Preventing Abuse of Vulnerable Adults: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/preventing-abuse
Protecting Elders and Vulnerable Adults from Abuse and Neglect: https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/protecting-elders-and-vulnerable-adults-from
Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for People with Disabilities : https://www.ohsu.edu/university-center-excellence-development-disability/ready-now-emergency-preparedness-tool-kit and the PDF: https://www.ohsu.edu/sites/default/files/2024-05/All%20Combined_Ready%20Now%20Tool%20Kit_OCT2423.pdf
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities Resource Hub, This website includes resources to help you prepare for an emergency, https://www.ohsu.edu/university-center-excellence-development-disability/emergency-preparedness-people-disabilities
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities: http://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(11)00833-1/pdf
Autism and the Police/Justice System
“Autism and the Criminal Justice System”- webinar by National Autism Association”, register for free to watch. http://nationalautismassociation.org/family-support/programs/autism-atrium/
“Bridging The Gap: A Guide for Autism Families to Establish Relationships with their Police Department” - webinar by National Autism Association”, register for free to watch. http://nationalautismassociation.org/family-support/programs/autism-atrium/
10 Facts Law Enforcement Needs to Know When serving and protecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, by The Arc of King County: http://arcofkingcounty.org/file_download/inline/4c6d9dfe-709e-4bd2-8dcf-f790f46bd6c3
“Autism and Police: Staying Safe Together” - training video by Seattle Children’s: https://youtu.be/uF4eZls4rEs
Meet the Police Toolkit, A National Autism Association Safety Initiative: http://nationalautismassociation.org/store/#!/NAAs-Meet-the-Police-Toolkit/p/83636367/category=23350149
"Be Safe" - The Movie, Video Modeling DVD that Actively Teaches Safety Skills for Interacting with Police, to youth with autism and similar disabilities. Not Free, also available with companion curriculum, also in Spanish. Autism and Down Syndrome Safety Cards also available. https://besafethemovie.com/
Pathfinders for Autism: How to Interact with Police, for caregivers and individuals with autism: https://pathfindersforautism.org/articles/safety/parent-tips-how-to-interact-with-police/ and PDF: https://pathfindersforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-to-Interact-with-Police.pdf
What Youth Need to Know if They're Questioned by Police - Tips for parents to prepare their youth with a disability: http://arcofkingcounty.org/file_download/inline/3a5ba20e-c47f-49a3-98da-5e9729f13e42
"Autism & Wandering for First Responders” - webinar by National Autism Association”, register for free to watch: http://nationalautismassociation.org/family-support/programs/autism-atrium/
“Creating a Culture of Prevention: Addressing Autism in Today’s Criminal Justice System”, webinar, by SPARK. This webinar is 60 minutes long: https://sparkforautism.org/discover_article/creating-a-culture-of-prevention-addressing-autism-in-todays-criminal-justice-system/
Safety at School
Silence is NOT an Option, A parent-driven plan to keep our children safe at home and at school: http://www.handsandvoices.org/resources/OUR/SafetyAttachmentIntro_v1.pdf
School Safety Center of WA State OSPI site on multiple issues regarding school safety: http://www.k12.wa.us/safetycenter/
Bullying
Bullying at School: Key Points for Families and Students with Disabilities, by PAVE, https://wapave.org/bullying-at-school-key-points-for-families-and-students-with-disabilities/
What are Public Schools Required to Do About Bullying? - Fact Sheet by the Dept of Education: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-factsheet-bullying-201410.pdf
Bullying Prevention, by NAA: http://nationalautismassociation.org/preventbullying/
Cyberbullying Resource thru 'Affordable Colleges Online' w/descriptions and advice, https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/cyberbullying-awareness/
Cyberbullying videos, games and downloads by McGruff the Crime Dog, https://www.mcgruff.org/#/Main
Eyes On Bullying Multi-media resource, with toolkit, by developmental experts: http://www.eyesonbullying.org/
Kids Against Bullying/Teens Against Bullying - PACER Center Multi-media resources: https://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/ & https://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Description and contact info for schools: https://olweus.sites.clemson.edu/bullyinginfo.php
School Safety Center of WA State OSPI site on multiple issues regarding school safety: http://www.k12.wa.us/safetycenter/
Special Needs: Anti-Bullying Toolkit The Bully Project, w/videos & other resources for families: http://www.thebullyproject.com/
Stop Bullying Health Resources & Services Admin multi-media tools for families/kids: https://www.stopbullying.gov/
Walk A Mile In Their Shoes Bullying & special needs, from AbilityPath.org: https://abilitypath.org/resources/reports/walk-a-mile-in-their-shoes/
Bullying Toolkit by Bully Free World, https://bullyfreeworld-bully.nationbuilder.com/toolkit
Local Resources: Find our Local Resource Directory under “Resources” on www.arcoftricities.com. For help navigating and understanding resources, attend our monthly new autism diagnosis help meeting, join us for our drop in office hours on Thursdays from 12-2pm and watch for parent trainings at The Arc of Tri-Cities.
Find us on Facebook: we have a public page with information and upcoming Arc and community events, “The Arc of Tri-Cities” and for parents, “Parent to Parent, The Arc of Tri-Cities”. We also have a closed Facebook group only for local families dealing with autism and other disabilities, “Better Together of The Arc of Tri-Cities”.
Sign up for newsletter and monthly e-alert on www.arcoftricities.com to receive info of all upcoming parent trainings and support opportunities.
For Support and help with resources, please contact Melissa Brooks, RN, Parent to Parent Coordinator at The Arc of Tri-Cities, P2P@arcoftricities.com or (509) 783-1131, ext. 108. For Spanish support and help, contact Martha J at marthaj@arcoftricities.com or (509) 531-5388
*Please note that The Arc of Tri-Cities is not endorsing or recommending any one resource. This is for informational purposes only. Please let us know of any missing or incorrect information. Contact Melissa Brooks, RN at (509) 783-1131, ext. 108 or p2p@arcoftricities.com.