Informational Materials

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Be prepared with an Autism & Safety Kit

CARD-USF's Autism and Safety Kit is designed to provide individuals with ASD and their families with tips, information, advice, and resources to help those living with ASD stay out of harm's way.

What is in the kit? Kit contents list.

How do I use the Safety Kit? CARD Safety Kit Guide.

You may be eligible for a CARD-USF Safety Kit if you…

Live within the CARD-USF service area
Have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder with supporting documentation
Have safety concerns around water, elopement, fire, and/or poisoning – the kit includes items that address those safety areas
Need assistance from CARD Staff to teach safety skills

Call 813-974-2532, or toll-free 1-800-333-4530 to get your kit.

General Safety

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Hurricane Safety

A guide for caregivers and members of the Autism Community to meet the needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Hurricane Social Narrative

A social narrative to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder prepare for a hurricane.

NEW! Autism & Safety-Top Safety Tips

Your safety strategy begins with these 12 Safety Tips and a call to CARD-USF! 813-974-2532

A Story About Going Outside

This social experience story can be used to help a child know what to expect when going outdoors and have fun.

Bicycle Safety Card

Reminders to wear your helmet and watch for and avoid road hazards. Tips for communicating with an individual with an autism spectrum disorder.

Wandering Prevention

Getting my SafetyNet Bracelet (Ages 2-7)

This social experience story describes having a SafetyNet bracelet put on. The story will provide different strategies for making the bracelet enticing to wear and keeping it on your child.

Getting my SafetyNet Bracelet Social Experience Story (Ages 8+)

This social experience story describes having a SafetyNet bracelet put on. The story will provide information about the function of the bracelet and the importance of keeping it on at all times.

Autism and First Responders. Cover Image

What Happens if I Get Lost (Ages 2-7)

This social experience story describes getting lost and what strategies children can use to become found again.

Staying Safe (Ages 2-7)

This social experience story provides rules and strategies to prevent children from wandering and eloping. The story refers to the adult taking care of your child. Talk to your child about who his or her safe adults are. You can modify the story by inserting the name of the specific adult caring for your child..

Water Safety

New brochure on Autism Spectrum Disorder & Water Safety

A guide for caregivers and water safety professionals to meet the needs of individuals with ASD

CARD Water Safety Bookmark

Catch a wave with CARD! A fun bookmark to download with water safety tips.

Emergency Management

MediPal® Seatbelt ID, Medical Alert

In a vehicle emergency, it is important for first responders to know about your child’s medical needs. Use the MediPal® Seatbelt ID and information insert to keep your child’s important medical information readily available on their seatbelt or car seat strap. Download and fill out the information insert. Limited quantities of the Medipal Seatbelt ID are available through CARD-USF. For information about ordering, please email the CARD Resource Office. Available while supplies last.

Protect and Serve Trifold

Tips for Law Enforcement agents when interacting with persons with autism.

Autism & First Responders

This basic fact sheet is geared for first responders to emergency situations that may involve an individual diagnosed with autism. It provides helpful tips on best ways to interact while keeping the situation safe and calm.

Useful Links

This page includes links to both internal (CARD) and external (non-CARD) websites. External links are selected and reviewed when the page is published. However, the CARD is not responsible for the content of external websites. The CARD website does not accept submissions or requests.

General Safety

Child Passenger Safety

Safe Kids hosts child restraint inspection events across the country. At these events, certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians teach families how to transport children correctly. They also help make sure everyone in a vehicle is buckled up on every ride. Most events are open to the public. You’ll find them in central locations such as General Motors dealerships, hospitals, community centers and shopping centers around the country.

Autism Society of America – Safety in the Home

The Autism Society compiled home safety tips and modification ideas for families who have children on the autism spectrum in order to keep your family safe.

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) launched the Zero Tolerance Initiative to tackle the abuse of individuals with developmental disabilities. Their website has more information on their objectives and present efforts.

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks and the Autism Safety Project is designed to provide families affected by autism with tips, information, expert advice and resources so that everyone in our community can stay out of harm’s way.

The Florida Department of Transportation

The Florida Department of Transportation offers information concerning travel safety to the general public. They also periodically post current news and maps to ensure everyone is informed.

The Pediatric Associates Foundation

The Pediatric Associates Foundation provides a resource center on their site with information about a variety of topics such as child safety, drowning prevention, and travel protection, along with related videos and articles.

The Ounce of Prevention Fund

The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida offers resources on their site about healthy child development and safety information. They also have free materials on water safety, as well as general safety materials for purchase.

The Medication Safety Checklist

The Medication Safety Checklist from Sun Coast Safe Kids includes tips for parents on safe administration of medications for various age groups. The checklist also has a link for OTC medication information and contacts for the Poison Help line.

The Sun Coast Safe Kids Home Safety Checklist

The Sun Coast Safe Kids Home Safety Checklist provides a room-by-room breakdown of safety information for parents.

National Autism Association – Autism Safety Site

The National Autism Association (NAA) provides information and resources in the areas of ASD wandering, restraint & seclusion, bullying, and suicide prevention.

The Wallet Card

The Wallet Card Project is a tool to be used by a teenager or an adult with autism spectrum disorder. A video explains how to use the wallet card, when to use the wallet card, and gives you tips on how to safely interact with law enforcement and first responders

Emergency Management

Autism Risk & Safety Management

Autism training and resources for law enforcement, emergency first responders, parents, educators, care providers, and the autism community.

Family Emergency Communication Plan

Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP) Program

Prepping A Go Bag With Supplies In Case Of An Emergency: It’s Scary Simple | FEMA

In An Emergency, Text, Don't Call: It's Scary Simple | FEMA

Important Things To Know Before a Disaster

Child ICE (In Case of Emergency) Contact Card Template

Online Form to Print Free

Poison Center of Tampa

Poison Center of Tampa gives information and medical advice on poison-related issues. They also have expert information on various topics, as well as contact information for health providers.

National Autism Association: Big Red Safety Toolkit: A digital resource for first responders

The National Autism Association (NAA) created a toolkit for first responders. It gives an overview of autism and discusses the unique safety risks for individuals who have autism. The toolkit provides resources and strategies to use including search and rescue guidelines when the missing person has special needs.

Water Safety

Josh The Otter

Learn more about Josh’s mission to educate children and adults worldwide about water safety through the utilization of drowning prevention campaigns & early childhood water safety training.

National Drowning Prevention Alliance

The mission of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance is to prevent drowning and aquatic injuries, by leading, engaging, and supporting our members, chapters, and partners.

Water Smart Florida

Explore WaterSmartFL.com to learn the steps you can take to secure your pool and protect Florida’s children.

Water Awareness in Residential Neighborhoods: Autism and Water Safety

Water Awareness in Residential Neighborhoods (WARN) is an awareness program that local safety organization can utilize to educate their residents about drowning dangers.

Pool Safely

Pool Safely provides resources and materials meant to educate people about water safety. Their site provides information to both parents and children in order to reduce child drowning.

The Sun Coast Safe Kids Pool Safety Checklist

The Sun Coast Safe Kids Pool Safety Checklist gives parents tips about water safety.

The Sun Coast Safe Kids Water Safety Infographic

The Sun Coast Safe Kids Water Safety Infographic provides statistical information about kids and water safety. It addresses common misconceptions and offers solutions to decrease child drowning.

Wandering Prevention

MedicAlert Foundation

Free autism medical ids & wandering support services available for a limited time

WebMD - 10 Ways to Prevent Wandering (Autism, Down Syndrome, and Dementia)

The WebMD article, Caring for Someone With a Brain Disorder or Injury: Autism, Down Syndrome, & Dementia provides tips for caregivers to help keep their loved ones safe.

PROJECT LIFESAVER®

PROJECT LIFESAVER® strives to provide a timely response to those in need. Their website provides more information about how they aid loved ones who are most prone to wandering.

SafetyNet® Tracking Systems

SafetyNet® Tracking Systems sells products to protect those at risk of wandering and becoming lost. Their website also offers information for caregivers about how their technology works and participating agencies.

Cyber & Social Media Safety

Common Sense Media

For kids with special needs, the right tools can make a huge difference. Games, apps, and devices offer access, information, and inclusion to kids with learning differences, autism, vision and hearing loss, and more. Learn how to configure your child's device, boost your kid's social skills, and determine the best digital media for your family's needs.

Project Child Safe

Project Child Safe is a free voluntary program designed by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to create a digital footprint for those ages 5-25 whose disabilities affect their communication skills. Their digital footprint is then accessible to law enforcement and increases their ability to respond.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Computer Monitoring Software, or ComputerCop, is a free resource for parents to monitor their children’s computer activity.

Safety Programs

Wandering away from home, school or in the community can be dangerous for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder. SafetyNet® Tracking Systems and Project Lifesaver are resources to help locate individuals who have wandered and may become lost. The best outcome is to prevent unsafe wandering whenever possible. CARD-USF is available to provide consultation with families to prevent unsafe wandering.

If you would like to enroll in SafetyNet® Tracking Systems, Project Lifesaver, or the program offered in your region, please contact the law enforcement lead in your city/county for more information. If would like to volunteer, provide financial support or learn more about bringing a program to your community, please contact the organization serving your area. Check with your local organization for enrollment requirements and fees.

Cape Coral Police Department

1100 Cultural Park Boulevard
Cape Coral, FL 33990

Attn: Project Lifesaver Program
Contact: Patricia Lucas, Community Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (239) 574-0653
Email: plucas@capecoral.net

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

7474 Utilities Rd
Punta Gorda, FL 33982

Attn: Project Lifesaver Program
Contact: Tammy Wilkie, PL Coordinator
Phone: (941) 833-1824
Email: crimeprevention@ccso.org

Red Dot Medical Information Program
Contact: Dee Hawkins-Garland, Public Relations/Education Coordinator
Email: dee.hawkins@charlottefl.com
Phone: 941-833-5610

Collier County Sheriff's Office

3301 Tamiami Trail East, Bldg. J
Naples, FL 34112

Attn: Project Lifesaver Program
Contact: Senior Advocacy Unity/Senior Services
Phone: 239-252-0722
Email: seniors@colliersheriff.net

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office

208 East Cypress Street
Arcadia, Florida 34266

Glades County Sheriff’s Office

1297 East State Road 78
Moore Haven, FL 33471

Hardee County Sheriff’s Office

900 East Summit St
Wauchula, FL 33873

Hendry County Sheriff’s Office

101 S.Bridge Street
Labelle, FL 33935

Highlands County Sheriff’s Office

434 Fernleaf Ave.
Sebring, Florida 33870

Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Contact: Nell Hays or Tammy Neale,
Phone: (877) 434-6384

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

2310 N Falkenburg Rd
Tampa, FL 33619

Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Phone: 877-434-6384

Lake Placid Police Department

8 N. Oak Ave.
Lake Placid, FL 33852

Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Contact: Sergeant Stuart Troutman or Lieutenant Mark Schneider
Phone: (863) 699-3757

Lee County Sheriff’s Office

14750 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy.
Fort Myers, FL 33912-4406

Attn: Project Lifesaver Program
Contact: Senior Services
Phone: (239) 477-1274 or (239) 258-3280

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

600 301 Blvd W #202
Bradenton, FL 34205

Attn: Child Lures Prevention
Phone: (941) 747-3011 ext. 2500

Manatee County Search and Rescue

7006 122nd Ave East
Parrish, FL 34219

Attn: Project Lifesaver
Contact: Sheena Byers, PLS Administrator
Phone: (941) 254-6490 Ext. 104
Email: s.byers@manateecountysar.org

Naples Police Department

355 Riverside Circle
Naples, FL

Attn: Project Lifesaver
Phone: (239) 213-4853

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office

8700 Citizens Dr
New Port Richey, FL 34654

Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Contact: Shelby Homko, SafetyNet Coordinator
Phone: 727-815-7119
Email: shomko@pascosheriff.org
https://pascosheriff.com/safetynet-by-lojack/

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

10750 Ulmerton Rd
Largo, FL. 33778

Attn: SafetyNet™ Tracking Systems
Phone: (877) 434-6384
Administration: (727) 582-6200
Web: www.pcsoweb.com
Contact: Deputy Sean O'Brien (727) 582-6618

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

1891 Jim Keene Blvd
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Attn: Andreina Aguirre, Crime Prevention Project Safe and Sound
Phone: (863)298-6684 or (863)298-6677
(Designed to assist parents/caregivers of special needs family members.)