header

header

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Dog Tags For Nonverbal Children

I don't think I've ever shared
with my autism parent bloggers the dog tags
that I had made for my boys. It can be a bit unnerving
to take a nonverbal child some where. If you loose them,
they probably won't be able to communicate who they
are or where they live. They wear these tags when
we go out and about. One side has the autism awareness
ribbon and the other side has their name, address and
phone number. And yes, those colors have always
been assigned to them... red for Harry, green for
Spencer and blue for Alex.
I ordered my tags through an eBay seller ~ sorry
it's been a few years and I don't remember who.
I've seen several sites online that do this...mostly for
for the elderly or those with medical conditions.
I chose one that offered to etch anything I wanted so
I could do the awareness ribbon on the back side.
I made sure to get stainless steel so they wouldn't rust.
It's not as secure as a computer chip under their skin,
but it is less expensive. LOL!

35 comments:

  1. It is such a great idea to use. I like how they each have their own color so as to give them their own identity. Kids probably were proud to have their own id tag and it made them feel secure along with mom.

    ReplyDelete
  2. betsy, i think that is a wonderful idea...we were working with a group of foster kids and their parents last night and encouraging ID cards, but this is excellent. will be passing it along.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Brian ~ our school wanted to teach the boys to carry a wallet and ID card. I just didn't think they would get the importance and that they would get lost. At least with these, they can't fall out of a pocket and it is readily seen by someone who may stop to help them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I, too, think this is a smart idea. God knows you can easily lose track if your child wanders off. I was terrified of that when my sons were little and you have to deal with it all the time. Great suggestion.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good idea.
    If you're going to the brickyard this year, maybe we'll see you! :-) (ya know, among the thousands of people!)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jen ~ oh, we don't have tickets this year! I'm SO jealous. I'll be watching on tv for sure though. Waive at all cameras! ha.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a wonderful idea!
    And a secure feeling!

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's such a sensible idea. It's a panic for everyone when a kid wanders off and is lost - most parents' worst nightmare - and you must be especially concerned about your three.

    ReplyDelete
  9. We have some non-verbal children in the school where I teach. This is such a good idea.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great idea! It really is a whole different thing to have a child who is nonverbal that you are dropping off somewhere. That has always been a tricky thing for me as a parent. Thanks for the tip!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This sounds like a good idea and it sounds like you have always been organized, at least you have never lost one! :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. Besty I never even thought about them wondering away.Thats a good idea.In fact is the best idea.I read your comment to Brian and I totally agree with you.I can hardly keep my stuff from getting lost.These look like they would be easier to remember.

    Happy Wednesday ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Brilliant, simply brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  14. jennyfreckles ~ oh yes...and not only do they just wander off but they can run quickly before you even know they are gone! ha. Our Spencer used to leave the house! We lost him in our little town probably half a dozen times. Scary!

    ReplyDelete
  15. You seen those cell phone locators you can attach to key chains? Those are cool, too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great idea! Now if only I can remember to implement it if I ever need to. (Maybe it would be a good idea for grandmas to use on grandchildren.)

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's a wonderful way to do what you can to get them help if they need it, but not make them stand out or apart...allowing them to just be kids. Smiles!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Brillian. I'm curious, what do the boys think of these? Do they resist wearing them? Take ownership of them?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Christian ~ they know that their names and addresses are on them and they know which one belongs to who...as in one boy can hand them out correctly to his brothers. But I don't think they understand that it is for identification if they get lost, though. They have no fears, and that probably includes being lost, unfortunately.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I think that's such an awesome idea. Isn't it funny how we assign colors to our kids to identify them? We have colored cups for our four kids still. Helps to keep things under control. We do it for so many things that we don't even think about it twice anymore...notebooks come to mind since I've been buying school supplies.

    ReplyDelete
  21. This is so smart and I know this will be helpful to lots of other parents with your situation.

    Love that you had them engraved with the ribbon.


    Betsy, you are the best.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This was very interesting to read for me.;)I guess this certainly puts your mind to ease should they wonder off when you are out and about.;)
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  23. Kayren ~ we do the same thing with the colors...bookbags, lunch boxes, and notebooks. Not clothes, although their tennis shoes wound up that way one year. ha.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Brilliant Betsy. Give you a problem and you will find a way to overcome it. And you do it with such style.

    ReplyDelete
  25. i think this is a fabulous idea...

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ah, Betsy what a wonderful idea. Yes, I would imagine this is much better than wallets/ID cards alone.

    ReplyDelete
  27. How innovative, and at the very least, if they get turned around in places like Walmart, or the grocery store. someone can announce their name over the intercom and alert you.
    Just brilliant !

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wonderful, wonderful idea. I have a RoadID that I wear in case I lose my words (I bike commute and run in various cities I travel to) due to an accident.

    This is a good reminder to get crackin' and have one made for my daughter, as well.

    ReplyDelete
  29. that is such a novel and good idea. you are smart. it would be terrible if they got seperated and no one knew who they were, etc.

    They have no fears? Whoa. just as well perhaps.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow. What a good idea. I need to get one of those for Wyatt. Thanks so much for your positive support. You are such a great example.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Mmm ~ yea...no fears...

    Now, they know from experience things like the stove is hot, etc. But they don't look before crossing the street....they just walk right out in front of cars! They would take a stranger's hand and go right with them....things like that. And not only that...they have no fear or understanding of being lost...they will run off in a store, looking for the dvd section or whatever. You have to be on your toes when you are out and about with them (and full of caffeine!ha!)

    ReplyDelete
  32. That's a great idea!

    ReplyDelete

I'm serving coffee! Stay and chat!
And no awards, please! Your comments are my awards!