{Autism Safety} Products, Kits and Tips to Keep Your Child Safe.
Autism Safety
I want my son to increase his fine motor skills. I do not, however, want him to be able to unbuckle a seatbelt. When your disabled child acquires a new skill, sometimes it is a mixed blessing. Particularly if that new skill puts them in danger. They now have the fine motor skills to open a seat belt (yay!) but do not have the desire or behavioral skills to leave the seat belt on when the car is moving.
So what do you do?
As my friend Judi often says, you either teach the skill or accommodate the lack of skill.
In this case, I am making accommodations.
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When Kevin was a baby, he didn’t have a natural curiosity that many babies and toddlers have. Or, he may have had the curiosity but not the motor planning skills to make it happen. We never had to even baby proof the house. My how times change!
Autism Safety and Emergency Plans
Several years ago, I was a Fellow for Save the Children. My role with them was to inform and encourage disability families to create an Emergency Plan. I don’t know why it hasn’t caught on, but it hasn’t. Still, I continue to education (read: nag!) parents about this.
We all worry about how to keep our kids safe. But when they have autism, are non-verbal or rely on others for mobility, our fears are exacerbated. Parents of disabled children need to develop safety plans, with much more urgency than our non-disabled peers. These plans should be based on how well your child can communicate, health needs, and sensory issues.
Having a family emergency plan is critical! It can help you to find your child if he/she goes missing. An emergency plan also serves to reunite you with your child in the event of a natural disaster or school shooting. The first step in your plan should be increasing awareness both in your child and the community. If your child is not verbal or would have trouble telling others that he or she is lost, a bracelet or other product can give adults helpful information. f your child is an eloper, make sure that all family, caregivers, and school staff know this. Talk with your neighbors and local police about your child’s tendency to wander and make sure that they have up to date information. Here in PA, we have the Premise Alert System (started by my friend Susan!). Many of our police departments recognize this, but it’s a great form to take to your local police and fire stations, even if you’re not in PA.
Premise-Alert-FormTeaching Autism Safety Skills
Have regular and frequent safety talks with your child. Many children with autism learn from repetition, so repeating rules and procedures may work for you. It’s important to be aware of comorbid conditions, so that information is presented in a way that doesn’t exacerbate conditions like anxiety.
Parents should do this on their own, and no rely on a school to make this happen. There are just too many issues with IEP non-compliance, and safety is too important of an issue. If your child is in a Life Skills Program or another non-traditional curriculum, it may be easier to get this added to the IEP. Regardless, parents should make sure that this happens and the only way to ensure that is if we do it.
I don’t know of any specialist or expert who does evaluations in this area. I think it’s going to all be on Mom and Dad. But you want to make sure that your child is safe in your car and on their ride to/from school. My bus company had to purchase a special seat for Kevin. And I know that they purchased a harness for another child. Like anything else, if you want it in your IEP, follow the process. Note it in parent concerns, discuss it at the IEP meeting, and then get it on a PWN.
Autism Car and Seatbelt Safety
Your child’s needs will determine what you purchase. Research what you can online. Ask your local police department or transportation department. You can find just about everything. There are seatbelt covers, stickers and decals for cars, harnesses, seat belt buckle covers and other products that disable door handles. You can also call the customer service number of your car manufacturer and ask if they have something.
Seat Belt Locking Clips
These are a necessity for a lot of kids. For some, just putting a lock over the seatbelt buckle will do the trick. But, some kids have the dexterity to get them open. In which case, you may want to try a harness that fastens in the back.
Make sure you practice using it. In the event of an emergency, you want to be able to release it quickly. Still, I believe most police officers and EMTs will tell you that a seatbelt is much more important than the risk of not being able to unbuckle it quickly.
Free Autism Safety Kit
Hopefully what I’ve shown you here will get you started on getting what you need. Thankfully most of these products are inexpensive. I know that the NAA offers a free kit for home safety, but I was unable to find a grant or free program for car safety.
Autism Safety Products
Have regular and frequent safety talks with your child. Many children with autism learn from repetition, so repeating rules, expectations, and plans can be beneficial. When you teach safety rules, make sure to list where to use the rules, such as school, the park, or a store. If your child likes to wander or likes to play in water, make sure to spend extra time talking about those safety rules.
Having a plan can help you to find your child if he or she is missing. The first step in your plan should be increasing awareness both in your child and those around him or her.
Have your child practice what to do if he or she is lost. If your child is not verbal or would have trouble telling others that he or she is lost, a bracelet or other product can give responders helpful information. Make sure your child practices how to show the product.
If your child tends to wander away, make sure that all family, caretakers, and school staff know of this pattern. Give them a plastic-coated card with your child’s name, current picture, diagnosis, emergency contact numbers, and what your child does and does not respond well to. Also talk to your neighbors and local police about your child’s tendency to wander and give them the same up-to-date information. Most police stations have systems, such as the PREMISE Alert System, where you can submit a file for your child with special needs and include important information for responders.
Water is another top safety concern. Check all gates, pool covers, toilet locks, and any other safety devices, especially if your child is drawn to water. When your child can start swimming lessons varies, but being able to swim independently is only one benefit of lessons. Children also learn basic water safety rules through early childhood swim programs. Many programs offer adaptive swim lessons for children with autism. These programs are a great way for your child to learn about water safely and comfortably.
Keep in mind that this list is their top sellers. This is also ‘bot-generated’ and updated based upon sales, not my personal opinion of the product.
- PLEASE MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF YOUR DOOR. Works on most hinged doors up to 1-3/8" thick, including interior doors, exterior doors, and French doors. (For exterior doors, remove GlideLok’s spacer bar.) Works on doors with levers, knobs, and large or uniquely shaped handles. Does NOT work on any type of sliding door on a track, such as bifold doors, pocket doors, or sliding glass doors. Also does NOT work on metal door frames, patio screen doors, storm doors or double doors that swing both ways.
- REQUIRES ONE SCREW (INCLUDED) TO BE DRILLED INTO YOUR DOOR FRAME. If you are installing on an exterior door that opens inward into your home, please note the screw will be drilled on the exterior/outside part of your door frame. The GlideLok has holes for the possible attachment of a hook or rod (NOT INCLUDED), which is helpful for especially tall doors / shorter adults. If you do not attach a rod, you must be able to reach the top of your door to slide the GlideLok back and forth.
- DURABLE METAL WON’T CRACK OR BEND LIKE CHEAP PLASTIC MODELS. GlideLok is the only top-of-door childproofing system of its kind made of high-quality painted metal, not flimsy plastic. So it will last you for years keeping toddlers from opening doors to unsafe areas in your home. The GlideLok makes your life easier and - most importantly - keeps your little ones safe.
- RESTS ON TOP OF THE DOOR SO KIDS CAN’T REACH IT. Unlike door knob covers or other door lever locks, the GlideLok sits on top of your door, so it’s completely out of reach and your child can’t dismantle it. It is also unobtrusive and blends in with your décor. Most people won’t even realize it’s there.
- ADULTS CAN CONVENIENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM BOTH SIDES. Unlike other types of door lever handle locks, you will not get trapped in a room while your child wanders around the house alone. Adults can operate this lock from both sides of the door. Also, if you don’t need it locked for a period of time, simply leave the GlideLok disengaged and you won’t have to unlock every time.
- Your words, custom engraved, up to 7 lines of 18 characters
- Use the CUSTOMIZE NOW button to specify the words to be engraved on the tag and to select tag color. There are 2 panels you need to update.
- Black silicone rubber wristband fits wrists from 6" to 10". Excess material can be trimmed with scissors. TOO LARGE FOR MOST INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN. Non-Removable, Temporary Vinyl Wristbands can be purchased by searching for item B09MV7QTW4
- Tags are 1" by 2" and are made of chrome-plated or gold-plated brass. Laser engraving is permanent and appears brown on the tag
- IS IT NEW OR USED? We have tags and wrist bands manufactured for us in large quantities. These are brand new items. We laser engrave the tags as you request. The tag is manually curved, assembled and packaged in a plastic bag (see last photo). These items have been touched, but are still new, never before sold items. During shipping, on very rare occasions, postal equipment may cause damage to the product. If that occurs, please message us to rectify the issue.
- Approximately 3.75" wide x 5" high- removable and reusable on clean surfaces
- Use on anything! machines, doors, vehicles, or just for decoration!
- 3M premium quality vinyl - Indoor / outdoor use - Weatherproof / Waterproof
- Laminated for added glossy protection - Up to 7 year lifespan - UV protected - bold color
- "AUTISTIC OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLE" - decal sticker
- SAFETY LOCKS + SAFETY STAINLESS STEEL ROPE. Kids cant open by themselves and STRANGERS Cant open either without the key. The Stainless steel is stronger enough even cant cut by scissors. Which Improve security in great degree.
- 2 IN 1 UPGRADED DESIGN. You are not only get an Child safet Leash ,you got a child backpack leash as well. You can use anyway you want.
- 2.5M [98Inch] LENGTHEN VERSION. Give your kids the most distance in safety way.
- 360 DEGREE ROTATION. You can walk any direction you want with your little one.
- WIDEN SHOULDER PAD. Offer your kids the great experience when using it.
- 5 inches tall x 3 inches wide Autism Safety Sticker
- Sticky on the BACK, Applied on OUTSIDE of Window, Bumper, Car, Truck Van
- Sticks to Plastic, Glass, Metal and More
- Made in USA
- Includes Four Safety Alerts - two white removable static cling and two white permanent decals. Each is 4 inches by 3 inches
- Made In The USA, the clings are applied inside to be viewed from outside and the decals are applied to the outside.
- Providing Help In An Emergency, the red and black text is easy to read by first responders
- You'll receive four safety alerts to be prepared for your home's front and back doors and in your cars.
- Satisfaction Guaranteed. Click the 'Add to Cart' button.
- ADVANTAGES: If you’re in an accident and if both you and your disabled child is unable to communicate with first responders; these seat belt covers will clearly tell that special care is needed when helping your child.
- TIME SAVING: Save valuable time by providing EMT/first responders with important medical information immediately, even if the parent/guardian is unable to respond.
- EASY TO USE: No extra tools required. Just wrap them around the seat belt strap, then you can slide it to the position that fits you the best
- VISIBLE: Authentic belt alert cover with large graphics for greater visibility, fade resistant, waterproof, easily visible to police, first respondents and EMT.
- BELLT ALERT: These original alert covers were created by Natalie Bell in Australia in the spring of 2019. The product immediately went viral and quickly sold out. But now you can get yours here!
- PREVENTS CHILDREN ESCAPING THEIR CAR SEAT – Safety Buckle Pro seatbelt cover for kids is the answer to a continuously increasing problem, toddlers unbuckling their car seat while you are driving
- PROUDLY DESIGNED IN THE USA – After a rigorous market research we carefully built Safety Buckle Pro seat belt guard with only a small slit and a finger stopper making it easy to install but impossible to unbuckle by kids whether with toys or other buckles
- UNIVERSAL FIT – Made from stronger and more durable ABS plastic material, works on all tested vehicles with standard seatbelts
- LOCKING CLIP - Get a car seat Locking Clip with every seatbelt cover kit, keeps the car seat tighter and more stable
- MULTIPURPOSE - Very helpful also when it comes to special needs children and older people, decreasing significantly the risk of unbuckle the seat belt
- Adjustable, soft head band and cushioned ear cups create a comfortable fit from toddler to teen.
- Great for kids who need extra hearing protection due to sensory sensitivity, autism or aspergers.
- Stylish and unique, our ear-muffs come in fashionable patterns that your kids will want to wear.
- Ear muffs are lightweight and collapse to an easy packing size to go wherever life takes you.
- Hearing protection that is perfect for sporting events, concerts, fireworks and life's everyday loud noises. Ear muffs are rated to 27db, and meets ANSI requirements.
- PLEASE MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF YOUR DOOR. Works on most hinged doors up to 1-3/8" thick, including interior doors, exterior doors, and French doors. (For exterior doors, remove GlideLok’s spacer bar.) Works on doors with levers, knobs, and large or uniquely shaped handles. Does NOT work on any type of sliding door on a track, such as bifold doors, pocket doors, or sliding glass doors. Also does NOT work on metal door frames, patio screen doors, storm doors or double doors that swing both ways.
- REQUIRES ONE SCREW (INCLUDED) TO BE DRILLED INTO YOUR DOOR FRAME. If you are installing on an exterior door that opens inward into your home, please note the screw will be drilled on the exterior/outside part of your door frame. The GlideLok has holes for the possible attachment of a hook or rod (NOT INCLUDED), which is helpful for especially tall doors / shorter adults. If you do not attach a rod, you must be able to reach the top of your door to slide the GlideLok back and forth.
- DURABLE METAL WON’T CRACK OR BEND LIKE CHEAP PLASTIC MODELS. GlideLok is the only top-of-door childproofing system of its kind made of high-quality painted metal, not flimsy plastic. So it will last you for years keeping toddlers from opening doors to unsafe areas in your home. The GlideLok makes your life easier and - most importantly - keeps your little ones safe.
- RESTS ON TOP OF THE DOOR SO KIDS CAN’T REACH IT. Unlike door knob covers or other door lever locks, the GlideLok sits on top of your door, so it’s completely out of reach and your child can’t dismantle it. It is also unobtrusive and blends in with your décor. Most people won’t even realize it’s there.
- ADULTS CAN CONVENIENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM BOTH SIDES. Unlike other types of door lever handle locks, you will not get trapped in a room while your child wanders around the house alone. Adults can operate this lock from both sides of the door. Also, if you don’t need it locked for a period of time, simply leave the GlideLok disengaged and you won’t have to unlock every time.
- Excellent Quality, Durable, Fits Seat Harness, Fade Resistant, Waterproof, Washable
- Key Lock Design: Unlike the old kid leash that uses hook and loop closure which is easy to be opened by children or others, our upgraded toddler leash comes with a small key on the parent's wristband. If you want to open the child's wristband, you must use the key on the parent's wristband, making it safer to use.
- Adjustable Design: Not only is the rope stretchable with the longest length of 1.5m/4.9ft, but also the size of the bracelet can be adjusted freely (up to 14cm), which is suitable for children of different stature.
- Comfortable Design: There is cushioning cotton inside the bracelet, which makes it soft and comfortable to wear. The connection between the rope and the bracelet can be rotated 360 degrees to prevent the rope from winding.
- Anti-lost: Our child leash allows children to do activities independently and at the same time keep them within the sight of parents, especially in crowded outdoor places, to prevent children from getting lost.
- High Quality: The rope is made of stainless steel, which is strong and durable, not easy to cut off, and the connection between the bracelet and the rope is connected by metal joints, not easy to separate, and can be used for a long time.
More Autism Safety Resources:
- A Guide to Safety, from the Organization for Autism Research
- CHOP Safety Center
- Safety in the Home, from the Autism Society of America
- Philadelphia Police Premise Disability Form
- Chester County Premise Online Form
- General Premise Alert Form, approved in PA
- Premise Alert Form, Spanish
- Vacation Premise Alert Form
- PA Premise Alert FAQ
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