The Reality of Busy Places
Taking my non-speaking child to busy places can be nerve-wracking. Stories in the news about non-speaking children going missing reinforce one of my greatest fears and are often in the back of my mind whenever we’re out in crowded public places.
Strategies We Use
For added peace of mind, we use a few different strategies. We place an AirTag in his bag when he’s at school or out with a carer, although it’s not always completely precise.
We also use a bright silicone ID wristband from Emergency ID Australia, which he happily tolerates. It includes his name, diagnosis, and our contact details. Thankfully, we’ve never had to rely on it.
For unexpected outings, I keep paper wristbands and a marker in the car for both of my children – a simple precaution that brings peace of mind.
Peace of Mind
One of the biggest challenges for us when visiting busy places is balancing independence with safety. As parents, we do everything we can to prepare for the unexpected.
For our family, that means using a combination of supports – such as an AirTag, ID wristbands, and backup wristbands kept in the car. Thankfully, we’ve never needed to use them, but having these simple measures in place provides an extra layer of reassurance and allows us to enjoy outings with a little more confidence.
What gives one family peace of mind may look different for another, but if sharing our experiences helps even one family, then it’s worth it.