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.

https://news.usc.edu/67144/wandering-poses-perilous-situations-for-children-with-autism/

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.

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.

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. 

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.