Safety is a key concern for parents of neurodivergent children, especially those on the autism spectrum. Autistic children often face unique safety challenges that require specialized solutions. Understanding these challenges and having the right tools can make a significant difference in ensuring their well-being.
Nearly 49% of parents of neurodivergent children report that their child has wandered away from a safe environment at least once¹, compared to just 11% of parents with neurotypical children. Of these incidents, 53% were missing long enough to cause significant worry, 65% involved a close call with traffic, and 43% of parents stated that their child's tendency to wander interferes with their ability to sleep at night.
Neurodivergent children are often at a higher risk of being bullied or abused due to their differences in communication and behavior. 47% of parents of autistic children reported that their children had been hit by peers.²
Neurodivergent children may have impaired coordination or spatial awareness, making them more susceptible to accidents and falls. A survey of parents of neurodivergent children found that autistic children are more likely to experience injuries such as falls, burns, and poisonings.³
Non-verbal children or those who have difficulty communicating can have stressful and potentially dangerous interactions with emergency personnel. Issue that can negatively affect their care and interactions include non-inclusive care processes, communication issues, insufficient staff knowledge about ASD, and inadequate partnership with parents.⁴
Decco by toddlermonitor is an well-loved tool for parents of neurodivergent children who have a tendency to wander. Simply hang it on your child’s doorknob and set the accompanying app. The device will send an alert if your child leaves their bedroom, providing you with enhanced peace of mind and allowing you to rest more easily.
Littlebird’s innovative LTE tracker helps you keep a virtual eye on your child's whereabouts and care, when you’re together or apart. Tracking location and other key health metrics for children who have a tendency to wander. Littlebird’s on-demand location tracking and secure 2-release band make it an invaluable tool for any family with young children.
For kiddos who struggle to understand the importance of staying buckled up in the car while on the go, the BuckleRoo Seatbelt Buckle Guard keeps their seatbelt securely fastened. The guard prevents accidental unbuckling and ensures your whole family has safe travels.
NeuroHub is a free collaborative community platform that can help you discover and rate sensory-friendly places and spaces worldwide. This can be especially useful for planning outings and ensuring environments are conducive to your child's specific needs and reduce stress while exploring.
GE’s alarm system is an excellent solution for stopping eloping before it happens. By chiming every time a door or window is opened, it can help prevent your kiddos children from leaving the house unnoticed.
In the end, creating sensory-aware spaces, increasing access to safety tools for parents, and raising awareness about the behaviors and needs of neurodivergent children are all essential steps towards ensuring all of our children’s safety and well-being. Inclusive spaces foster a sense of belonging and reduce the likelihood of negative encounters or bullying, while accessible safety tools like those highlighted can provide parents with the peace of mind they need to thrive.
¹ Occurrence and Family Impact of Elopement in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4524545/
² Prevalence of Victimisation in Autistic Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10486169/
³ Injuries in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Study to Explore Early Development (SEED): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5920521/
⁴ Experiences of emergency department care from the perspective of families in which a child has autism spectrum disorder: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27315287/
1. Live tracking works anywhere with cellular connectivity on our U.S. Precision+ network. Live tracking & alerts require your phone have internet and notifications enabled. 2. Choose color and style at order confirmation. 3. Littlebird is available for pre-order to our waitlist with limited availability. Littlebird Safety Plan is $25/mo. with a 12-month commitment.
