Tragic Autism Wandering Case Triggers Change at the FBI
A North Carolina community was left reeling when the body of a six-year-old boy with autism was discovered in a local park partially submerged in a creek. It was just two years ago when Maddox Ritch wandered off from his family at Gastonia Park. He was found lifeless five days later. Maddox’s death was ruled an accidental drowning.
Autism Safety Social Media Blitz Begins This Week!
By Lisa Wiederlight, Executive Director, SafeMinds SafeMinds is proud to be a founding member of the Autism Safety Coalition, a group of national organizations that have come together to support Senate Bill 163, Avonte’s Law Act of 2015. This week, the Coalition is kicking off a social media campaign, “Yes to Avonte’s Law” to educate […]
National Groups Launch Campaign To Combat Wandering Deaths
PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release June 15, 2015 National Disability & Law Enforcement Groups Launch Campaign To Combat Wandering Deaths, Support Avonte’s Law Washington, DC In light of the growing number of wandering-related deaths in the autism community, a group of national organizations have come together to support Senate Bill 163, Avonte’s Law. The group, […]
Autism & Wandering Issue Reaches Capitol Hill
By Lisa Wiederlight, executive director, SafeMinds One of the most urgent problems facing the autism community is that of wandering and elopement, which is a primary cause of mortality associated with an autism diagnosis. Heartbreaking stories of missing children and adults appear on our newsfeed each week. Recognizing that safe minds require safe bodies, SafeMinds […]
Make the Call Today—Ask Your Elected Officials to Attend Autism & Wandering Briefing on Capitol Hill on May 19
By Lisa Wiederlight, Executive Director, SafeMinds It’s a nightmare that most parents don’t want to consider. They turn around, and their child is gone. Research published in the journal Pediatrics has found that half of all children with autism engage in wandering or elopement behaviors, and many die alone without the ability to answer to […]
