Autism ? What is your best traveling tip?

[StitchGirl88]

thanks SueminMN i didn't know you could do that anyways thanks again!

 

[SueM in MN]

You're welcome, StitchGirl.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I have a tip. If you are concerned about your child wandering away and getting lost, you might want to order a medicalert bracelet. I just ordered one for my son on Monday. It will indicate on the bracelet that he has speech problems and may not be able to communicate well. The bracelet has zoo animals on it to make it appeal more toward children, but there are several bracelets or necklaces to choose from.

 

[lalapodip]

My goodness - I can't believe that you just posted this about the MedicAlert!! My son received his today - I gladly paid for FedEx overnight shipping - after he escaped on Tuesday. IT WAS VERY SCARY!! He's not too happy about leaving it on - but he'll get used to it!! We got the free standard bracelet with engraved tag. It says:

Autistic
Non-verbal
His name
Call immediately

There is the MedicAlert phone number on the top to call - and they will contact us immediately to let us know where he is. It costs $35 for the year and $20 per year thereafter. All information can be updated (phone #s, doctors, etc.) at any time. Totally worth it for our situation!!

Hope someone else can use this tip!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Good hints.

 

[tebright]

I have been wanting to order one of these. Thanks for mentioning it and reminding me.

My son is on the nervous mode today because we are talking about fireworks. His hearing is too sensitive to deal with it. He will be going over to Mommom's house tonight during fireworks...lol.

 

[Amaris]

We have two children with autism.. here is the biggest help for us... We prepare them for EVERY transition... if we are going on a ride, we remind them we are only riding one time, then half way through, "Remember, we are only riding how many times?" and have them say once! We find when they know every transition in advance, we have far less tantruming...

If your child cannot speak then visuals.. whatever works for him or her.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I'm concerned that Nik won't wear his bracelet. I read on another thread about identifying a diabetic child that you can put the tag on the child's shoe. If Nik just won't budge, I may try that. We'll just have to see when it arrives.

 

[Amaris]

With our kids, we use big stickers on their backs with their names and a cell phone number of a cell phone we have with us. My kids would not wear a bracelet as well... If you slap a sticker on their they probably won't notice and can't reach it to pull it off. Also, it is easier to spot than a bracelet.

 

[eeyorefanatic]

Please don't put identifying information on the outside of a childs clothes. Put it on the inside only where a passing person can't see it.

 

[Amaris]

We always do. If they get lost, I can't imagine how many people will be looking in shoes for tags, just my opinion, especially if the child can't tell them where to look. Most school groups travel with the child's name on a tag sticker, along with what school they are from, same basic concept. If they get lost, they can find the school group in the park.

I could see not putting a physical address and full name.. That would be dangerous as some one could come get your child later! I am suggesting a cell number people can reach you on at the park in case you get detached.

 

[lalapodip]

My son ALWAYS knows when there is something stuck on his shirt! We tried that last year and he kept reaching back to pull it off. FYI - as I posted before, my son is non-verbal, and he's had the bracelet on for one day now. It really jumps out at you, especially since he's in shorts and tees/tanks for summer. My son never leaves his shoes on, so a tag on a shoe is useless (but I can see how it would work for a diabetic child that you could explain something to).

Transitions are still tough - he understands all done, but not "one time" only, so the rides are still a challenge! Still, it's worth saying "one time" and see if it finally sinks in. Thanks!

 

[Amaris]

Last year we went to Busch Gardens and they have an EXCELLENT policy for disabilities.. they let us go in ALL of the exits for all of the rides ( never a wait) Plus they let us ride everything TWICE! I wish Disney did that but then again, there are probably so many people with disabilities there, it would be impossible to do!

Can you do a sew in tag in a shirt on or a sleeve even?

It is tough but you have to have something.. We also have a rope we use ( sort of like a harness but more discrete) that goes from beltloop to beltloop. That helps a great deal, if we feel a tug.. of course we hang on to our daughter and son constantly but never hurts to have a just in case tug!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

This is a comment about the idea of a clothing tag.

Around 50 years ago I went to sleep-away camp for 8 weeks every summer. My parents were able to get cloth nametags with my full name on them and an iron-on backing. These were placed in all of my clothes. It took real effort to remove them. They also survived MANY launderings.

I would imagine they are still available; you could get them with a child's first name and the ten-digit cell phone number. If I remember, they came on a roll; my mother would cut them between the names and using a standard iron would melt the glue and they would be stuck very securely to the clothing.

I am sure such a product is still available; probably a search on "iron-on nametags" in a general search engine.

 

[Amaris]

This looks like a winner, just searched on line for you. Hope this helps. I found a feedback thread and about ten positive posts about this company


http://www.namemaker.com/

I think I will order some as well! Great idea

 

[SueM in MN]

That is a good idea, Cheshire Figment. I've seen those iron on tags in fabric stores (like JoAnn Fabrics). You can also get a laundry marker usually wher the tags are sold (to write on them).

 

[Nik's Mom]

I've heard from many police officials that you should not have your child wear something where his/her name would be visible. That's why I like the medicalert bracelet. It lists his name on the inside along with the medicalert phone number to call in case of emergencies. And if he is found by an official person like the police or medical personnel for example, they are trained to look at the wrist or neck for medicalert tags. But my son also has those clothing tags on the inside of his shirts. These are easy to use. Just iron them on and they stay put! I'm so glad I found this thread. So many of you have great tips!

 

[s&k'smom]

OMG that medicalert bracelt is a brilliant idea. Now anyone have the number. I'm going to order immediately.

 

[SueM in MN]

OMG that medicalert bracelt is a brilliant idea. Now anyone have the number. I'm going to order immediately.

Here's a link to the MedicAlert website.

 

[s&k'smom]

Thank you Sue, you know everything!