Wandering and Elopement Community Project Brittany Hunt OTD, OTR/L - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Wandering and Elopement Community Project Brittany Hunt OTD, OTR/L Objectives The presentation aims to increase awareness of wandering/elopement risks and preventative safety measures. Objectives: Identify how to obtain the
Brittany Hunt OTD, OTR/L
wandering/elopement risks and preventative safety measures. ❏ Objectives:
❏ Identify how to obtain the “Caregiver” and “Meet the Police” booklets ❏ Identify 3 strategies or facts to consider when preventing or searching for an individual with autism that has wandered or eloped.
This presentation frequently refers to individuals with autism; however, the information is pertinent to many of our individuals with special needs. Associations supporting Autism have thorough research on wandering
❏ The organizations have developed forms, supports, and programs that can easily be applied to individuals that may wander or elope (examples; undiagnosed, intellectually impaired, and more).
❏ Verbal Permission to utilize and share information for nonprofit educational purposes has been granted by the National Autism Association via phone in May of 2018
❏ Leaving a safe area
❏ Without permission of when under the care of a responsible person ❏ Examples include wandering from school, home, and from caretakers
❏ More likely to occur in children with autism versus asperger
❏ Wandering from the home increases from April through August (NAA, 2017a) ❏ Wandering from school increases in the fall and winter months
(NAA, 2017a)
(NAA Awaare, 2018; NAA, 2017)
❏ Bolting, running, or fleeing from a safe area
❏ (I want, I need, I don’t want)
❏ More likely a sensory processing flight reaction ❏ Elopement versus wandering is more likely to occur in individuals with Asperger (High functioning autism)
(NAA Awaare, 2018; NAA, 2017)
❏ 49% engage in wandering behaviors ❏
35% attempt to wander at least once per week
❏ ⅓ are not able to communicate their name, address, or phone number ❏ ❏ 29% of wandering occurs from the classroom or school ❏ 42% of wandering cases involving a child 9 years or younger have been lethal ❏ Accidental drowning is the primarily cause of death ( 90%) of those that wander
(NAA Awaare, 2018; NAA, 2017)
(NAA, 2017)
Personal experiences; Parents have expressing difficulties with... ❏ Going to the grocery store ❏ “Walking” back from the bus ❏ Getting into the car ❏ Going outside in the yard, or attending social events
❏ Others share similar yet unique experiences ❏ Others share similar risks and fears ❏ Others can share similar successful strategies
❏ BeRedy Caregiver Booklet ❏ Big Red Tool Kits ❏ Meet the Police Booklet ❏ BeRedy Teacher Booklet ❏ BeRedy First Responders Booklet
(NAA, 2017; NAA, 2018)
❏ Download Caregiver Booklet
❏ http://nationalautismassociation.org/store/#!/NAAs-Be-REDy-Booklet-for-Caregivers/p/57859415/category=2416355
❏ This is a prepared emergency search plan that is in place should an individual with autism wander or elope. ❏ Forms guide, helpers. and first responders into efficient search
❏
Door alarms, window cling, shoe tags, temporary tattoos, seat belt cover
❏ http://nationalautismassociation.org/big-red-safety-box/
❏ Who apply during grant period
❏ Simple application ❏ Usually opens in May is depleted by mid June
(NAA, 2017)
http://nationalautismassociation.org/personal-emergency-profile-sheet/ ❏ Car ❏ Place one in the car glove box ❏ Place one within the car seat alert strap ❏ Bookbag ❏ Purse ❏ Provide a copy to local Police/Emergency room
(NAA, 2017)
❏ http://nationalautismassociation.org/meet-the-police/ ❏ Free Download ❏ Consider giving consent to the school for this to be shared with the police department
❏ Many police departments can add an alert or the emergency information to the house address and phone number in case an emergency should arises. (NAA, 2017)
http://awaare.nationalautismassociation.org/for-physicians-and-therapists/ Awaare.NAA * site has link for Big Red kits
❏ “More than one third of children with autism who wander/elope are never or rarely able to communicate their name, address, or phone number ” ❏ OT/ST and teachers may target IEP goals to assist with learning primary information of name, address and phone numbers. ❏ Compensatory strategies; include various safety precautions such as the ID bracelets, shoe IDs, Meet the Police forms ❏ Teach a carrier phrase to assist with habitual “ My name is….. “ ❏ (versus difficult W questions that many individuals with autism have difficulties with; ex. What is your name?) ❏ Half of families report they have never received advice or guidance about elopement from a professional ❏ This is very concerning to us at DCSS and part of why we are providing this informational opportunity
(Awaare, 2018)
❏ NAA Big Red Teacher Toolkit ❏ The above link typed out is: http://nationalautismassociation.org/big-red-safety-box/naas-big-red-safety-teacher-to
❏ 1 Per school applied for by administration/teacher/staff directly involved ❏ Brief application
(NAA, 2017)
❏ The Dawson County School System is growing as our community grows. ❏ The Knights of Columbus have graciously offered assistance for special projects in our schools numerous times and appears to be continuing this support to our school community. ❏ If you have a child in our school that wanders/elopes and you feel a kit would help keep an at risk child safe. Please consider providing your contact information (child’s name and age) on the list. Kits may become available. ❏ If you would like help filling out any safety plans/forms, I would be happy to assist in person or via phone. ❏ I hope to be able to share the “Meet the Police” forms or alerts to our expanding Police Department if you the parent/guardian sign a release (The release form is currently in development for permission).
❏ Brittany Hunt OTD, OTR/L ❏ Riverview Elementary School, ❏ Phone: 706-216-5812 Occupational Therapy x1955 ❏ Fax: 706-216-0182 : Attention Brittany Hunt OT ❏ bhunt@dawson.k12.ga.us
wandering/elopement risks and preventative safety measures. ❏ Objectives:
❏ Obtain the “Be REDy Booklet; Caregiver” and “Meet the Police” booklets at the NAA Websites: http://nationalautismassociation.org/ or from Brittany Hunt, Occupational Therapy ❏ Identify 3 strategies or facts to consider when preventing or searching: Use the Big Red Kit safety features (door alarms, ID, tech), Emergency plan (angels), swimming lessons, Call 911, **Search water area’s first for individual that have wandered or eloped.
(NAA Awaare, 2018; NAA 2017)
National Autism Association (NAA).(2017). Retrieved from http://nationalautismassociation.org/ NAA.(2017). Big red safety caregiver booklet. Retrieved from http://nationalautismassociation.org/store/#!/NAAs-Be-REDy-Booklet-for-Caregivers/p/57859415/category=2416355 NAA.(2017). Big red safety caregiver box. Retrieved from http://nationalautismassociation.org/big-red-safety-box/ NAA.(2017). Meet the police booklet. Retrieved from http://nationalautismassociation.org/meet-the-police/ NAA.(2017). Big red teacher booklet. Retrieved from http://nationalautismassociation.org/big-red-safety-box/naas-big-red-safety-teacher-toolkit-now-available/ NAA.(2018). Awaare Collaboration. Retrieved from http://awaare.nationalautismassociation.org/