Identification

[thompsonfamily]

I am looking for ideas. We have an 8 year old DS who is autistic and is nonverbal. One of our biggest fears is losing him in a crowd. Does anyone have any ideas about identification tags that we could use so that if he would (God forbid) get separated that they would be able to contact us to let us know they found him?

Thanks a bunch!
Kim

 

[LaraK]

How about a medic alert bracelet with your cell phone number on it? It would stand out to anyone trained to take care of people who would find him.

 

[AU Tigger]

When my cousin took her 2 boys, she made ID cards for them. Laminated with photo, name, parents' names, and resort info. They kept them in their pockets.

 

[vacation dreamer]

I am looking for ideas. We have an 8 year old DS who is autistic and is nonverbal. One of our biggest fears is losing him in a crowd. Does anyone have any ideas about identification tags that we could use so that if he would (God forbid) get separated that they would be able to contact us to let us know they found him?

Thanks a bunch!
Kim

A new one that we just learned to do is write your cellphone number on the inside of the arm near the elbow.

 

[Boardwalker]

How about attaching an id badge to a pin lanyard. Everybody wears those.
If you don't have an id badge holder, there are cool ones that come in colors and animal shapes that (I am not sure) are made for kids or luggage, but I have seem them in airport gift shops and I believe in the gift shop stores. You could very easily fill out the card with the info he would need and add it to a pin lanyard.
But I have even seen kids with their id's attached to their sneaker laces. Whatever makes you and your son the most comfortable.

 

[tmt martins]

You can also get the DogTag style tags at the parks in a vending type machine..You can put your cell number and name on them. They are of the characters so that might help for him to keep it on .Either Pinned to pants or around neck.

 

[katedrew94]

There are tags made especially for shoes that might help. I don't know if wearing anything like lanyards or bracelets will be helpful because he might be able to take it off or have sensory issues that make those things aversive. Check out this site.

www.whosshoesid.com

 

[MissionMouse]

I recommend the shoe tags which can be the dog collar type tags looped through the shoe laces. Pretty simple and well... the tags are not easily removed or accidently pulled off.

In regard to getting lost or separated, Disney reports some of the causes for individuals getting lost or separated:
1)Preoccupied Solo Parent - parents looking one way, kids moving off in another direction
2)After Shows - large herds of people moving out of an area within a short period of time
3)Hidden Exits - kids exiting prior to exit adults are waiting for them at
4)Restrooms - may have more than one exit which places the child in another area of the park...disorientation ensues
5)Parades, Park Closings and Fireworks (large gathering of people)
6)Character Greetings - kids can move rapidly out of sight in another direction to meet a character.
7)Animal Kingdom - people become pre-occupied in observing animals - children may start to explore beyond the group.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Some good ideas from previous posters...here's mine - I would suggest putting his ID in a very visible spot. If you do get separeted, you'll want someone to find your cell number or instructions right away. I'm afraid I wouldn't immediately look for a shoe tag or bracelet. I would suggest either a plastic badge holder pinned to his shirt or around his neck. I can imagine that it will be a confusing and somewhat chaotic situation for him and whoever finds him, especially if you got separated in a big crowd. You'll want to put his ID in an obvious place and make it as easy as possible for someone to find you.

Also, I would put a little note on the ID tag about him being autistic and nonverbal. I work with autistic kids and would probably recognize his conditon immediately. It might not be as clear to other well-meaning people who might find him. If you're concerned about having all of this information visible, maybe write everything on a piece of paper, fold it over and put in the badge holder. On the outside, write "ID" or "If I'm lost." That way people could quickly find the paper, pull it out and read it but everyone passing by wouldn't see and your (and his) personal info. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

Also, I would put a little note on the ID tag about him being autistic and nonverbal. I work with autistic kids and would probably recognize his conditon immediately. It might not be as clear to other well-meaning people who might find him. If you're concerned about having all of this information visible, maybe write everything on a piece of paper, fold it over and put in the badge holder. On the outside, write "ID" or "If I'm lost." That way people could quickly find the paper, pull it out and read it but everyone passing by wouldn't see and your (and his) personal info. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

I was thinking the same thing!

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

We ordered little plastic dog tags for our kids and laced them through their shoelaces. It had our cell and home #s. Our son age 2 didn't even notice it was on there. Nothing happened of course, but it was peace of mind.

 

[Pixiedust34]

http://idonme.com/

I had my kids wear these ID bracelets on our last trip. My ds has a speech disorder and I was worried about people not being able to understand him if he were to get lost. Thankfully, we never used the bracelets but it brought me peace of mind that the kids were wearing them.

 

[reelmom]

I bought label stickers and wrote my and my husbands name on it with our cell phone number. I then put it on their backs. Be sure to bring more than one in case they get wet or lost( the labels, not your children. HAHA). I like the idea of lanyards but I am so afraid for my DS4 and DS3 to wear anything around their necks when we are on rides. I guess if they are the break away kind it wouldn't matter.

 

[BlindTyldak]

We make a beaded necklace with my DD's name and our cell phone number . . . something that has a screw clasp, and is choker style so it is easily noticed by a cast member. Your son might have fun helping you pick out beads for the spacers, and may be more apt to wear it as it is something that he designed himself.

 

[Eljay]

I recently saw a very simple and effective remedy. A little boy I saw had a cell # written in black marker, right across the back of his tee shirt, up near the collar. You couldn't miss it and it couldn't get lost or removed.

 

[TinksMagic54]

My DH has a similar condition. He has aphasia due to a stroke -- his spontaneous speech is okay but on demand speech is pretty poor (like if someone asks him his date of birth or social security number -- he can't get it out).

We bought him an I.D. bracelet (similar to a medical alert only more fashionable). It shows his name, phone number and medications. He also carries a laminated card which he hands to someone if he is alone and they just don't get it.

You'd be surprised at how people act when they see a grown man who can't speak well. You have allot of suggestions above -- use one or more and I'm sure anyone would help our your son in an emergency -- especially us Diss'ers!!!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

This is what I have for my Kids

http://www.mypreciouskid.com/id-bracelet.html

Multi-Lingual - Written in English, Spanish and French
*Waterproof - Use them in the ocean or pool
*Discreet - Your contact information is kept safe INSIDE the band
*One size fits all (actual size 10" by 1")
*Disposable Wristbands Will Not Rip or Tear
*Yellow for Boys and Girls
*100% Adjustable
*Great for Travel or Sports
*Strongly Constructed from Tyvek
*Fits Kids and Adults

 

[WantToGoNow]

I ordered bracelets for my children (ages 5 and almost 3) to wear. They are the silicone material that are very popular. I had their name and my cell phone number imprinted on it -- in Disney font. I have explained to them multiple times that I hope they don't get lost from us, but if they do they need to show that bracelet to the first grown up they find. They think they are pretty neat and I got them in the toddler size (5") so they fit tight enough to not fall off. My ds5 also wears a medical ID bracelet (latex allergy) that has his name, allergy and medications.

 

[jngwright]

www.mouseforless.com has downloadable Disney id tags that you could laminate. Choose downloads and just for kids.

 

[OKWMom]

http://www.buttonsandmore.com/buttons.php?qty=20&group=autism&next=140 has a button, item number B146, which explains your son is Autistic and nonverbal and should work for you.

I have a DD9 who is also autistic and non-verbal and like you, her becoming separated from me is my biggest fear when we visit Disney. In prior years, she could fit in a double stroller, so that was how I kept up with her. However, last year, she was just too tall for the stroller. We tried a couple of days to hold her hand (arm, really as she does want to hold hands) when we were in a crowd, but we found that people in a crowd could be really pushy and would step in an separate us if there was an inch of room between us - also an issue with my daughter, having people too close. A couple of times I thought I would have a heart attack until I could get my hands back on her.

After almost two days of fighting this battle and making myself sick with worry, DH insisted that we rent a wheelchair for DD. I was worried that she wouldn't want to ride in it, but she loved it. I no longer worried that we would become separated and it gave her a nice buffer from the crowd, which also decreased her anxiety. I don't know if that would be an option for you, but it made our trip more pleasant for everyone.