Autism and GPS
July 29th, 2009 | 
Author: Well yet another thought goes through my head tonight. Earlier this year and even before Christmas I was working on researching Project Lifesaver. I really had high hopes of working with the Sheriffs Department to bring it here to the county. I spent hours talking to different Sheriff’s Departments, brainstorming, figuring out where we could get sponsors and grants, and what the best way to fundraiser was. Well I haven’t been able to connect with the Sheriff and well I haven’t really stayed on top of it per say so I can’t really fault anyone. Your probably wondering what Project Lifesaver is: well it’s a radio frequency bracelet that people who have a tendency to wander with disabilities wear. Say if they wander the Sheriff is notified and they send out a search party with equipment that uses the radio frequency to find them. It almost reminds me of a metal detector in a way with the way it beeps. It has saved many lives and I am very passionate about it. It will take a lot of work and a lot of effort to bring it to the county.
However I am in the here and now and Dakota has the tendency to wander. Thankfully it’s only happened a couple times. Thankfully it is a small town. I have now been looking into GPS and well I am really not sure what type of product I want for GPS. There are pros and cons. For example depending on where satellites are and what’s going on it may send you into a totally wrong direction. I know I could find Dakota faster. I am still going to do research and possibly contact some GPS companies to see what type of products they do have.
I know alot of Autistic Families here in town were excited about Project Lifesaver. I know that I network with these people and they network with others so if I could find something try it out and tell them I could make some companies pretty happy. LOL Hint Hint… nah just kidding. Seriously though I have some thinking to do and information to find out.
My heart tells me I am leaving something unfinished as I know they could possibly save lives and bringing this to the county would have made me feel good even if it was just one person. We have a lot of Alzheimer and Dementia patients here in town too.
So off to working on some more research I go tonight… Have a great night.
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Posted in Autism | 
Tags: Alzheimer, asd, Autism, Dementia, GPS, Project Life Saver, Project Lifesaver, Wander
11 Responses to “Autism and GPS”
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You are amazing! Researching, making the contacts, and putting yourself out there to make a difference, not only for your family but for others as well. I know you’ll make it happen. You rock!!!
Theta Mom´s last blog ..Theta Mom Thursday
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admin Reply:
July 30th, 2009 at 7:59 am
I am not sure Project Lifesaver will happen. The plus on having it happen would be if we could get fundraising to cover the cost of the bracelets and battery changes every month. But some counties were charging 25.oo dollars. Which I didn’t think was bad per month as a volunteer runs out to change them and then gets to know the family. If it does get up and going I don’t know if I will have a part in it but I can feel good about getting it going. I would love to have a part in it. Many people in town were very interested. We shall see. I have to look at the right now with Dakota. It’s very possible I could find a GPS company to work with. I know there is a private company here in town. Which reminds me I gotta call the Sheriff this morning and ask again who they were.
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Don’t give up. These things don’t happen unless one person is persistent enough to see it through. It’s a great thing you are doing for your child and others.
Tammy´s last blog ..Ecover Green Cleaning Products Review
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admin Reply:
July 30th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Thanks Tammy. I haven’t given up yet. It’s just sorta on the back burner for the time being. The county launched a program called Code Red and it’s a rather awesome type of program. If someone goes missing it calls a house or cell phone and tells them the description where you have many more eyes looking then just a few hands. It is set for certain miles or areas when it needs to be activated. Which is another brilliant idea that they had. By no means am I being sarcastic. LOL I am not sure which route I am going and even if I do GPS I still would like to see Project Lifesaver get off the ground. Your right it takes persistence. Both sides have been pretty busy so I don’t blame anyone at all.
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I have never heard of such a program, but how awesome is that!? I wish you the best of luck getting it implemented, and finding the support you need.
Kara´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday *Braids…lots of braids*
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admin Reply:
July 30th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Thanks Kara! Things will work out! It’s just going to take time and persistence.
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[...] Continued here: Autism and GPS [...]
What a great idea. You should continue your efforts with project lifesaver. GPS sounds good too, but the Project would benefit the entire community. Good luck.
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admin Reply:
July 30th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Your exactly right Karen. I did talk to the Sheriff this morning and he told me when I am ready we could sit down and talk. I got an email after I posted from Lo Jack which is a company that works with Project Lifesaver so they are going to also send their information to him and I let the Sheriff know that too. I will make it happen as it’s a passion I have.
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Kudos to you for your grassroots movement to get Project Lifesaver started in your community. Not only will it benefit families caring for children with Autism, it will help those caring for those with Alzheimer’s and related dementia dealing with wander behaviour.
I founded our local Project Lifesaver program and have assisted other communities set up thier program too.
LoJack is now the manufacturer the radio direction finding equipment. It does not use GPS technology, it is a simple technology that been used to track wildlife for decades. It’s been modified for folks who wander, and its proven successful in documented searches by police and sheriff’s depts in over 1960 searches (look up the stats for successful searches for kids with Autism using GPS, you probably won’t find much.) GPS is great for hunters and people without cognitive dissabilities, not so much for kids with Autism. (How do you compel an 8 yr old with Austism to keep hold of a GPS enabled cell phone just in case they bolt? Not practicle.)
Project Lifesaver Int’l and LoJack are working together and have made the cost of the program more accessible for local law enf angencies to offer the program. With LoJack on the scene, they’ve greatly reduced the startup costs for first responder agencies. The start up cost for the program use to be high for agencies. The three day training and certif program is now only $3000. The program for caregivers is now called SafetyNet. (Project Lifesaver Int’l provides the first responder training, SafetyNet provides the equipment, monthly billing for families and customer service. Check out http://www.lojack.com/safetynet/pages/caregivers-guardians-family-members.aspx
Call LoJack for details and pricing for your local law enf agency.
Keep in mind you can also approach other first responders to run the program: ie Fire Dept, Ambulance services, or even local Search & Rescue volunteer groups.
Please call or email me if you have any questions.
Regards,
David Rittenhouse
Co-Director Project Lifesaver/SafetyNet of Greater Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
250-893-9797 davidprittenhouse@gmail.com
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admin Reply:
July 31st, 2009 at 11:34 am
Hi David! Thanks for stopping by and explaining it more then I ever could put it into words. Project Lifesaver has become a passion of mine and I am going to somehow get it here in this county! I am working with our Sheriff at the moment. I was contacted by Lojack by email and passed on our Sheriff’s info to him. I learned lots of great ideas from other Sheriff Departments and heard many wonderful things. I have put a lot of time into this and I would love to see it happen here. Look forward to working with you all in the future!
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