Health & Safety

On April 19, 2015 we hosted our First Annual Safety Fair to launch a program that has been four years in the making.  The Fair featured games and activities, free snacks and drinks, a chance to explore police cars and fire trucks, meeting therapy dogs, and access to a wealth of information on keeping our kids safe!  The Safety Fair served as the perfect platform to launch our Safety Program, aimed at improving safety for individuals who are at risk for wandering and elopement.

The National Autism Association (2012) reported 91% of accidental deaths of individuals with autism under the age of 14 were attributed to wandering/elopement.  RISE for Autism is please to announce this Safety Program, offered through the Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACPD) under the direction of Captain Tewey, will provide tracking devices (wristbands) to locate individuals with autism who are at risk for wandering and elopement.  The AACPD has also made address flagging to the 911 Call Center available for families.  Finally, RISE will be sponsoring BE SAFE, a program to improve understanding for parents, caregivers, and individuals on the spectrum in crisis situations.

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IMPORTANT FACTS

• Nearly half of children with autism engage in wandering behavior
• Wandering occurs across all settings, under every type of adult supervision
• Increased risks are associated with autism severity
• Half of families report they have never received advice or guidance about wandering from a professional
• Accidental drowning accounts for approximately 90% of lethal outcomes