One of my greatest fears (and I am sure it is the same for many others) is what would happen if Cara became separated from the person she was with in public.
This past spring, after Covid hit and we were distance learning, her ABA specialist and I worked with Cara on the idea of carrying a purse. I made up some informational cards to put in it. Information for an emergency. Information if she got lost. Since everything had shut down because of Covid, I was unable to get her a state ID card - so I made my own.
Attached are blank versions of the cards I made. Her ABA specialist made up various situations and worked on getting Cara to identify which card she would use in which situation. We were unable to work on this in a real life setting like a store, but Cara seemed to get the idea. We also made a point of teaching her safe people to go to if she were separated - like a store clerk, security guard, police officer and others.
Cara getting separated from the person she is with is still one of my greatest fears, but having her carry a purse with these cards in it has eased my mind somewhat. That, and trusting her to God's care.
Additionally, I found out in a seminar today that there are places online that do these sorts of cards. Unfortunately, I failed to write the information down. Once the transcripts from the seminar are posted, I will post the information here. The one name I did put down was National Autism Association.
And Cara now carries her purse with her to school and (when we remember) when she leaves the house.
If you have and questions, please feel free to contact me.