The National Autism Association is committed to those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who may be prone to wandering off or eloping from a safe environment, and may be unable to recognize danger and/or stay safe. Wandering, elopement, “running” or fleeing behaviors among those within our community not only present unique safety risks, but also create extraordinary worry and stress among caregivers. Drowning fatalities following wandering incidents remain a leading cause of death among those with ASD. As such, the National Autism Association provides direct assistance to caregivers, educators and first responders. The Big Red Safety Box is a free-of-charge toolkit given to autism families in need as a means to educate, raise awareness and provide simple tools that may assist them in preventing, and responding to, wandering-related emergencies. NAA’s Big Red Safety Box includes the following resources:
1) Our Be REDy Booklet containing the following educational materials and tools:
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- A caregiver checklist
- A Family Wandering Emergency Plan
- A first-responder profile form
- A wandering-prevention brochure
- A sample IEP Letter
- A Student Profile Form
- Emotion Identification Cards
- Wandering Quick Tips
2) Two (2) GE Wireless Door/Window Alarms with batteries
3) One (1) RoadID Bracelet or Shoe ID tag*
4) Four (4) Adhesive Stop Sign Visual Prompts for doors and windows
5) One (1) Safety Alert Window Cling for car or home windows
6) One (1) Child ID Kit from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
*You will receive instructions in your Big Red Safety Box to submit a custom personalization order for your RoadID bracelet or shoe ID tase at roadid.com/naa. Your ID will be quickly engraved and mailed to you at no charge.
Regardless of any tools caregivers may have in place, if a loved one’s medical condition interferes with their ability to recognize danger or stay safe, it is critical that caregivers maintain close supervision and security in all settings. For more information and ways to prevent wandering-related incidents, please visit the Autism & Safety tab on our website.
Those diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and who are at risk of wandering/bolting from a safe environment, qualify to receive a Big Red Safety Box while supplies allow. Limit one (1) box per family – previous recipients are not eligible. Recipients must agree to terms and conditions. Please allow up to three weeks for your Big Red Safety Box request to be processed and delivered to you.
To download our free Be REDy Booklet for Caregivers, click here.
To download our free Be REDY Booklet for First Responders, click here.
To download our free Be REDY Booklet for Teachers, click here.
$27 will cover the cost of providing a Big Red Safety Box at no charge to a family in need. Please donate today! If you, or someone you know would like to support this program, NAA is actively seeking sponsors and donors. Please contact us. ABOUT NATIONAL AUTISM ASSOCIATION (NAA) Founded in 2003, NAA is a parent-run advocacy organization and the leading voice on urgent issues related to autism safety, autism abuse, crisis prevention, and autism-related wandering prevention and response. Over the last several years, NAA has provided $100,000 to law enforcement agencies for personal locating devices and training through its FOUND program, distributed over 55,000 wandering-prevention safety boxes to autism families, and created AWAARE.org. Please visit awaare.org for wandering-prevention resources. All materials in the Big Red Safety Box are provided for your INFORMATION only and do not constitute medical advice or an endorsement of any clinical or therapeutic method, treatment, service, safety device, safety product, organization or vendor. National Autism Association is not responsible for the content produced by, or the services rendered by, any third party that is referenced, or to which access may be provided via this safety box. BE SURE TO ADVISE AND CONSULT WITH THE CHILD’S HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CONCERNING THE USE OF THIS SAFETY BOX.