Having an ID

        B is a 12 year old boy with autism. He was born to Filipino parents residing in London.  Last year, his family spent Christmas in the Philippines. 

        It was B's first time to visit his parents' homeland and meet their relatives. Christmas is a much celebrated occasion in the Philippines. Parties, family reunions happen in this joyous season.
      B and his family were invited to dinner with relatives and friends at a restaurant located in a mall in Quezon City three days before going back to London. Everyone was having a nice time feasting over a sumptuous meal and catching up with people whom they have not been with for quite a long time. Dinner was soon over. Everyone bids their goodbyes. Then they noticed B was not in his seat nor anywhere in the restaurant. The family reported B's loss to the mall security. Security camera footage was reviewed and showed B going out of the mall and headed towards E. Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). That was the end of the footage. Nobody knew where B went. 

       EDSA is a long and very busy road that provides access to the different cities of  Metro Manila. Considering it was evening and the holiday rush, where does one would start looking for a boy who was completely unfamiliar with the place. B is non-verbal, throws a fit whenever he feels hungry, in a crowded place, or when he hears loud sounds. And that made his parents even more worried.
     Because of this unfortunate event, his parents were so full of regrets. Blaming themselves for being overwhelmed by the presence of their relatives and friends. And most of all, for not giving their son B any sort of identification which could be useful at times like this. 
       The incident was reported to the police who did not waste any moment looking for B. Relatives and friends did their part to find B by appealing on radio stations, and posting on social media. 
      It took a couple of days before B was finally found. A manager of a fast food restaurant in Valenzuela City brought B to the police station. B apparently came into the restaurant that night. He gestured his desire to eat and was given food though he did not have money to pay for it. The restaurant staff  presumed that B got lost. They asked for his name and got no answer.
    Through the kindness of the fast food staff and manager, the joint effort of policemen  from different stations,  B was found and reunited with his family. 

        Children need to have some sort of ID which is most useful in cases of emergency. The ID would speak for the child in situations when he is unable to tell significant information about himself as in cases of  accidents; when lost yet still very young to state those personal details; language and hearing impaired; children with neurodevelopmental disorders especially those who are non-verbal.
        Individuals with autism, more so if with speech and language difficulties will benefit from wearing ID. The ID would speak to those who may be trying to help them. Therefore, IDs must contain pertinent details like the full name, address, phone number, medical condition (disorder, allergies), blood type, person to contact in case of emergency and his/her contact details.
      For some children with autism, wearing an ID may be bothersome. Thus, it's hard to make them put it on. Here are ways which can be of help to make them have their IDs with them:

• Always wear an ID when going out. Not only when going to school but practically everywhere he would go. Do this regularly so he would get used to it and becomes a routine.
• If he feels uncomfortable wearing an ID with neck strap, you may put the ID on their belt loop.
• Put tags on personal belongings used when going out like bags, jackets, and caps. 

       Parents would always want the safety of their children. However, unexpected and unwanted situations may come no matter how we want to avoid them. Having an ID can make a difference to a child in need and for persons willing to help them.


Photo Credits:
   Colorful Taxis by think4photop
   Tag by Frame Angel