Friday, September 12, 2014

The Angel Sense Guardian Device

I have been asked to write a little more about the Angelsense device I spoke about in the last blog. So this blog will be more about why I like this device over others we've tried and researched. To really understand why the Angelsense unit works better takes knowledge that I don't have, but I tried to find out some more information. 

Everyone I've talked to has had the same questions I do... why do we get false readings? Why does the car GPS seem to work better? How detailed is the information we can get? Anyway... most geographical GPS (like for a car or boat) units receive data from a constellation of 27 satellites, whereas the GPS devices we would buy for our children is based on cell phone technology. 
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/travel/gps.htm
Satellite GPS
Put into terms I could understand, a phone based GPS unit is like a two-way radio, it bounces a signal off the closest cell phone towers. 
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gps-phone.htm
phone GPS

Once the information has been received by the company that provides the service, the information has to be analyzed and transmitted to the individual GPS device. Based on what computer program receives and interprets the data as, is the information we receive. So, in a nutshell, the GPS we use is only as good as the program that is created to gather, analyze and transmit the data. 
Subscriber-Kit
Now, the reasons I love the Angelsense guardian device for several reasons. 
  • It has been accurate so far (I don't expect that to change) and I get regular updates as to my little ones location:map with pictureSystem alerts
  • I can set a schedule based on location so I know when he arrives or leaves somewhere:
scheduleAngel list
  • In between locations, it shows me the transit direction, where he's been:
route

By getting regular updates, I can go about my day knowing that the device will let me know where he is at any time. I don't have to worry about getting a phone call saying he's missing. I get a tone every time he leaves a location. Then, God forbid anything should happen, the unit has a "listen in" feature. If we find that he's gone into a building and the GPS does not show him leaving, we call the unit and can hear any surrounding noises or voices. If we hear water running, we know he's in a kitchen or a bathroom. If he's we hear machinery, we know to look for machinery. 

So if you also need a GPS unit for your "wanderer" or "bolter", I recommend the Angelsense device. Check it out and see for yourself:
Angelsense.com

From a mother's heart - I would love to see a day when no child would "disappear" from where they are suppose to be, a day when no child would wander away. That is unrealistic, so, as long as our little guy "wanders", we will use Angelsense to keep an eye him.

YGod BlessY

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

An Angel in My Pocket

Today I wanted to discuss wandering, bolting or elopement. Whatever you may call it, it's when your autistic child comes up missing. Did you know that according to the last study done (in 2011) almost half of parents with children on the spectrum have reported that thier kiddos have wandered.

DSC_0843
It's such an issue that the CDC in the U.S. has issued it's own medical code to be able to track and research the issue. (You should let your doctor know of any wandering issues your child has had so it can be noted in her/his medical file.) The code is ICD-9-CM Diagnosis code 40.31 (until October 1, 2015, then it will change to to ICD-10-CM). This is considered a medical issue/diagnosis as well. It enables the parent to apply for a handicap placard for their child. This helps to get you closer to the establishment and hopefully prevent your kiddo from running in the lanes of the parking lots.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/code.html

http://www.icd9data.com/2014/Volume1/V01-V91/V40-V49/V40/V40.31.htm

There are many, many companies out there that provide a GPS service. We've physically tried one and based on those results, have researched several others. After using, talking to others who've used them, and researching capabilities, we have been left... unimpressed and disappointed over the last two years. Until now that is. We've found a GPS device that not only works, but actually has works exceptionally well. We are very impressed.
wrong way

The other devices have been known to send "false" errors. In other words, the device we used before was constantly telling me that my beautiful boy was not anywhere near where he was suppose to be. Which prompted several phone call that went something like...

Me:           "Hello, (teacher), can you see where Daniel is?

Teacher:  "Yes, he's doing (such and such) right in front of me"
Me:          "Ok, sorry to bother you, I just got a report that he was two blocks away." 
(Well that was embarrasing - the 1st time. Then it becomes downright frustrating)

Unfortunately those I've talked to that used the same device, and others devices too, had the same thing happen to them. That caused more concern than wondering all day if our boy/girl was where (s)he was suppose to be.

So, what have we found? It's called Angel Sense
http://www.angelsense.com

This is a new device which has been used in Israel as it's test market, and is now available in the United States. Co-founded by Doron Somer and Nery Ben-Azer, it has not officially "launched" but is available now. Developed by Doron Somer, who is the father of a beautiful 17 year old son who has autism. He knows what it's like to wonder about your child while you are not with them. His family has dealt with the "bully" and "belittling" factor (from adults even). He has worked in the field of technology for many, many years.
Angel Sense Device
Seeing the need of his family, and all of our families too, he left his major job to focus on a GPS device that would actually work. After trying different forms, he created Angelsense, a guardian device. It has impeccable tracking (currently through the T-Mobile towers), it also has a system to ensure it doesn't come off your child's clothing without "you, the parent" wanting it to. It also has a "listen in" safety feature that allows you to hear what's happening in your child's environment. 
Angel list
We've used this device for our little "wanderer" for well over a month now, and we couldn't be happier. We receive text updates any time he leaves his classroom, and we can tell when he arrives in the cafeteria, the playground or anywhere on the school campus. There are many possibilities in the future for this device, but the grass roots of it are "austism" and location.

From a mother's heart - I couldn't be happier. Now I can get things done without wondering if I'm going to receive a phone call saying Daniel's gone missing. I can't recommend it enough.