The Autism Society of Greater Orlando is promoting safety resources for families after a 13-year-old with autism disappeared and was found dead in a Maitland lake. Donna Lorman, president of the organization, emphasized the critical need for preventive measures as drowning remains one of the leading causes of death for adults and children with autism.
“My heart breaks for this mom of those two individuals with autism. As a mother myself, I think that is one of my biggest fears, is that my child elopes from a safe environment, and I don’t know or don’t react quick enough to, to get to him,” said Lorman. She stressed that even the most vigilant parents can face this challenge, explaining that “you could be the best mother in the whole wide world, but elopement happens. In the blink of an eye. We just try to put safeguards in place so that we can react as quickly as we can when it happens.”
Lorman recommends comprehensive home fortification measures including bolting doors from the inside, installing alarms on all windows and doors, and potentially adding plexiglass to windows for children who engage in head-banging behaviors. The organization also distributes stickers for front and back windows that alert law enforcement to the presence of an individual with autism, ensuring appropriate emergency response protocols.
“Our best understanding is that individuals with autism have sensory integration issues, which means that their senses are discombobulated. A lot of times you’ll see them covering their ears or not liking to be touched with those particular individuals,” Lorman explained. She noted that occupational therapy uses pressure techniques including weighted blankets, weighted stuffed animals, and joint compression, adding that “there’s nothing that brings more pressure than water.”
Paul Coley, founder of Scent Evidence K-9, provides specialized scent kits distributed through local sheriff’s offices and the Senior Resource Alliance. “You use a direct swipe on the body with a sterile gauze pad, and then that goes into this jar, evidence-grade jar, and then the family has that person scent stored uncontaminated for up to 10 years,” said Coley. These kits include flash drives containing individual preparedness plans designed to assist first responders during crisis situations.
“We have a flash drive in here that has what we call an individual preparedness plan, because most cases, when somebody’s child goes missing, and you’re trying to talk to mom or dad, they’re dealing with trauma. So they may give us bad information they don’t mean to, but just the way the brain works, dealing with trauma, they may forget the most recent events that will be very beneficial,” said Coley. The preparedness plans help ensure accurate information reaches emergency personnel when families are under extreme stress.
The Autism Society of Greater Orlando will host its 21st Annual Autism Walk and Family Fun Day inside the Orange County Convention Center’s West concourse on Saturday, April 4. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., providing families with additional resources and community support. Interested families can obtain more information by calling 407-855-0235.