@1. a BODY STYLES:Parents of a child with developmental disabilities have special safety concerns, including Internet safety and safety issues that could rise during a medical emergency or natural disaster.
These parents often are so overwhelmed with the day-to-day issues of raising their child that they don’t get the chance to plan ahead for emergencies, said Ronnie Thibault, a coordinator for Arc of Snohomish County, an advocacy organization for the developmentally disabled.
“The biggest point that we’re trying to get out is to have a plan ahead of time,” she said.
The organization is sponsoring a safety fair on Saturday at Everett Community College for parents and caregivers of disabled children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Panelists will speak on issues such as Internet safety and how to keep children secure while dealing with behaviors associated with developmental disabilities.
It is the first time Arc of Snohomish County has organized a daylong event on safety issues concerning the developmentally disabled. It came in response to continuing questions on their unique safety issues, said Jamie Coonts, an Arc coordinator.
“It ballooned into something that we found there is a really big need for in our community,” she said.
As one example, the organization is often asked by parents of children with autism if their child should have an identification card or bracelet with that information on it.
If the child is nonverbal and in an accident, it could help police, fire or emergency medical workers know immediately why the child is not responding to questions, Coonts said.
The identification card could include contact information for parents and explain that a child with autism may have issues that cause them to have outbursts if touched. This could be vital information for police officers, Thibault said, so they know the child isn’t being deliberately uncooperative.
A panel of emergency responders will talk about how families with special-needs children can prepare for disasters, such as earthquakes of floods. Special emergency kits can be prepared for medically fragile children to help them cope during power outages, she said.
Children with developmental disabilities can be fascinated by the Internet. “In many ways, it’s their form of communication,” Thibault said. Parents need to talk with their children about how to balance the need for social acceptance with personal safety.
Disabled children can be particularly vulnerable to those who look to take advantage of a child’s desire for acceptance and talk them into doing things such as stealing money, Coonts said.
Experts will discuss how parents can give their children opportunities to make friends while also keeping them safe, she said.
Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
If you go
The Arc of Snohomish County is presenting an education and safety fair for families with disabled children.
The event is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Everett Community College’s Jackson Center, 2000 Tower St. Smile Safe identifications cards will be provided to 75 children.
For more information, contact Connecting Families at The Arc of Snohomish County at 425-258-2459.
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