The Owen Alert Act

The Issue

I am reaching out as an autism advocate and mother who has experienced the heart-dropping panic when my autistic child has gone missing.  It happened with my son, Owen, at age three.  Every second was critical, and luckily, I found him just in time, but I know too many families who don't get that chance.

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Children with autism have a high risk of wandering (or "eloping"), and tragically many of these stories end in drowning, as these children often gravitate towards water.  Currently, there is no dedicated emergency alert system for these high-risk situations - an alarming gap that we are striving to fill by introducing the Owen Alert Act.

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The OWEN ALERT Act would establish an immediate alert system, not unlike the AMBER Alert, specifically designed for cases where children with autism go missing—a necessity, considering 49% of children with autism attempt to elope from a safe environment, a rate nearly four times higher than their unaffected siblings (Source: National Autism Association).

This critical initiative, named after my son, Owen, has the potential to save many lives and bring peace of mind to families of children with autism. Children like Owen need you to advocate for them—to ensure their safety and well-being. This is an urgent cause that cannot wait. To protect our children, we need the OWEN ALERT system now.

Please lend your support and sign this petition. Let's influence the necessary change that will ensure the safety of all children with autism.