08/18/2026
🚨 BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY REMINDER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES 🚨
As our children head back to school, I want to remind every special-needs parent and caregiver: please make safety a priority.
With the heartbreaking situations we continue to hear about involving children being left on school buses, eloping/wandering, becoming separated from caregivers, and children being found in dangerous situations, now is the time to review your child’s safety plan.
💙 Consider investing in a tracking or locating device for your child.
There are MANY options available. Some may be free or have little to no ongoing cost, while others require a monthly subscription. Do your research and choose the option that best fits your child’s needs, abilities, comfort level, and safety risks.
Some devices may offer features such as:
📍 GPS/location tracking
🚨 Emergency alerts
🔔 Geofencing/location notifications
📞 Two-way communication
💧 Waterproof options
⌚ Wearable or discreet designs
And remember—a tracker should be an additional safety layer, not a replacement for appropriate supervision, school safety procedures, or an individualized safety plan.
If the cost is a concern, use your village. ❤️
Talk with:
• Your insurance provider
• Your child’s case manager
• Your child’s care team
• Your school/IEP team
• Family and friends
• Community organizations
• Autism and disability support organizations
Ask whether there are programs, funding sources, discounts, grants, or community assistance that may help with the cost.
Also consider making sure your child has:
✅ Updated emergency contacts
✅ Current photos available
✅ Identification information
✅ A clear elopement/wandering safety plan
✅ Important information shared with appropriate caregivers and school staff
✅ A plan for what to do if your child goes missing
Parents, we cannot control everything that happens—but we can prepare.
Our children deserve to be safe, protected, accounted for, and understood.
This isn’t about being paranoid.
This is about being prepared.
Do what you can. Use your resources. Ask for help. Build your village. And advocate fiercely for your child. 💙
— Mom’Atism
Supporting Families. Advocating for Inclusion. Building Community.
