by Vilissa K. Thompson, LMSW
Last week, the Justice Department announced that it would promptly make funding available to provide free tracking devices for children with autism. The devices will be provided to families with children who are at risk, or have a history of, wandering and elopement. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder stated that the Department already has the funding needed to make this technology available. Police departments have been given the green light to apply for the funding; departments can used the funding awarded to pay for tracking devices to be allocated to families that want them. This new plan is modeled after the federal program in place that supplies similar devices to families of those with Alzheimer’s disease.
The wandering and elopement of children with autism has gained much attention due to the tragic passing of Avonté Oquendo, a 14 years old teen who went missing in New York in mid-October. So many across the nation had hoped and prayed for Avonté’s safe return to his family, including yours truly. Avonté’s story shone a spotlight on the thousands of children with special needs who are reported missing each year in this country.
The numbers regarding those with disabilities who are reported missing are astounding. In 2012, there were 30,269 individuals with disabilities who were reported missing, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (the FBI) National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Of that figure, 3,570 were those under the age of 21, and 26,699 were those age 21 and older. The number of children missing in 2012 were noticeably less than what was reported in 2011. In 2011, 6,340 of those reported missing with a disability were under the age of 21. If we were to combine those figures, almost 10,000 children with disabilities were missing within the past three years.
The focus on those with autism is dire because children with autism spectrum disorders have a higher risk of wandering and eloping than children with other special needs. It has been noted that about half of children with autism will wander and elope; close to one-third of these children are nonverbal, and are unable to communicate their identities to someone if they are spotted. Children with autism who wander from safe environments such as their homes or school grounds, have a tendency to seek bodies of water, or may have interests with active highways, trains, and the like. Any of these predicaments or fascinations could cause the child to place her or himself in harm’s way while they attempt to “explore” these new surroundings.
The action taken by the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney General Holder is encouraging; the needs of people with disabilities, especially our children, are on the consciousness of those on the federal level. This new technology has the potential to save the lives of our children, as well as others who may wander from their safe environments.
What are your thoughts about this new initiative? Is your family one of many in this country who could benefit from using these tracking devices? If you are currently utilizing a tracking device to keep your loved one(s) safe, what benefits or drawbacks of this technology have you experienced? Share your thoughts and stories regarding this subject with me.
(Featured headlining image: Courtesy of Digital Trends.)
Personally, I’m uncomfortable with these devices being pushed as a result of Avonté Oquendo’s disappearance. his disappearance was the result of neglect by his school, and a tracing device (which seems excessively restrictive to me) would not solve that issue. Further thoughts from a person who actually has Asperger’s: http://crackedmirrorinshalott.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/negligence-and-why-wandering-is-low-on-my-list/
These tracking devices is a distractions from the real problems. Society need to be educated on how to provide appropriate support to people with intellectual disabilities. This will be a slippery slope to leading to violating the the right to privacy. People with intellectual disabilities can learn to attain skills to better take care of themselves and these tracking devices doesn’t help them become independent. The system is broken and corporations are ready to capitalize on this opportunity to make money off of the back of this vulnerable population. Put the responsibility back on the education system where they are obligated to provide accommodations in meeting the needs of people with disability. Put the responsibility back on the larger system to protect people with disabilities without having to take away the rights of people with disabilities to have choices and privacy.
Love if he could be trained to make himself safe but we aren’t there yet.
While I agree with some points made in comments I feel the need to add my own. I am the mother of a beautiful twelve year old that has no language and is attracted to water. I would love for him to have a device. I know it is more for me and my piece of mind. I would
While all of u have very valid points, my ASD son could definitely benefit from this device. Of corse I would love if he can gain independence but that’s bit gonna happen now. He is only 7. I trusted the school system, and they let us both down. When he was 4 he eloped from school. Walked right out of the gym with 6 teachers on duty. Luckily a Good Samaritan spotted him & walked him back to school. I get sick every time I think of how it could have ended! So, YES, I would love one for my son.