National Autism Safety Council

08/22/2026

Thank you to New York’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for inviting NASC to provide training this past month.

During our session, we shared the Swiss Cheese Model for Autism Elopement -- a way of understanding why no single safeguard is enough.

Every layer of protection has potential gaps. But when we overlap multiple layers, each can help protect if another fails.

That’s the foundation of NASC’s SAFE framework: multiple, overlapping layers of protection designed to reduce elopement risk and help prevent tragedy.

See our complete SAFE framework via the link in the comments.

Thank you to NASC's Dr. Caleb Hudgins and Dr. Kristin Sohl for co-presenting this critical training.

08/21/2026

Today, HHS announced the National Autism Missing and Endangered Person Alert Initiative, including plans for autism-specific Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messaging that can direct communities to immediately search nearby water when an autistic child or dependent adult is missing.

For nearly a year, NASC leadership and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) have been working together to advance this water-first WEA model designed to turn the people already near the search area into an immediate rescue network.

We welcome this important step at the federal level. WEA alert language is available for dispatchers at AutismWEA.org.

NASC's data dashboard on autism-related elopement fatalities is also available at SearchWaterFirst.org.

With autism-related elopement fatalities now averaging nearly 10 per month so far in 2026, every second matters.

If a child with is missing, call 911 immediately while searching the closest body of water.

To learn more about WEA, see link in comments.

HHS Secretary Kennedy announced the first-ever National Autism Missing and Endangered Person Alert initiative.

08/20/2026

Thank you to all who searched for Asher. We're heartbroken for his family and the Tulsa community. Please see the update from Tulsa Police Department for additional information.

*** UPDATE ***

8:10 p.m.

We have a tragic update regarding the search for the missing 7-year-old child.

At approximately 8:00 p.m., members of the Tulsa Fire Department located the child's body a few blocks from where he was last seen. Preliminary evidence suggests he walked southwest from his home toward a creek at the end of a cul-de-sac.

We are unable to release any initial findings at this time, as the Medical Examiner now has jurisdiction over the child and the investigation.

Our deepest condolences go out to the child's family and everyone who knew and loved him.

Nearly 150 first responders assisted in the search and never gave up hope. Thank you to the Tulsa Fire Department, EMSA OKLAHOMA, and the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) for your diligence and commitment to our community.

When more information becomes available, we will provide an update here.

# # #

MISSING CHILD - 7-year-old nonverbal autistic boy

We’re trying to locate Asher.

Asher is a 7-year-old nonverbal autistic boy who was last seen today around 2 p.m. at his home near 45th Street North and N. Delaware Ave.

He’s wearing a blue-green shirt and a pull-up.

If you see him or know anything please call 911.

08/19/2026

"What happened next — a made-up story about a bad knee and a long conversation about Minecraft — kept the boy away from Highway 30 traffic until police arrived."

Whatever it takes. 🩵

A made-up bad knee and a Minecraft chat may have saved a child's life near Highway 30.

08/17/2026

On this National Nonprofit Day, we’re grateful for every person who believes that preventable injury and loss in the community can and should be prevented.

To support our work, visit https://www.autismsafetycouncil.org/donate

08/16/2026

Several years ago, before NASC was founded, we created this post and shared it with incredible enthusiasm and so much hope in our hearts.

Today, we remain devastated by the news of Jason's passing.

His remarkable journey resonated deeply within the autism community, and his life represented possibility, perseverance, and extraordinary wisdom.

Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences go out to Jason's family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched.

We mourn the loss of his unique mind and spirit, and what could have been.

The circumstances surrounding Jason's passing also demand reflection, as well as a continued understanding that at the center of all of this is a beautiful human being whose life, soul, and work should continue to be celebrated.

Words, public scrutiny, harassment, isolation, and relentless pressure can carry consequences, and there is always a human being on the other side.

May Jason be remembered for the fullness of his life, and may his death remind all of us to lead with greater humanity, compassion, and care for one another.

Rest in peace, Jason.

If you or someone you know is struggling in the United States, call or text 988, or use the 988 Lifeline chat.

08/15/2026

What may look like intoxication, noncompliance, or suspicious behavior may be something else entirely.

Whether you're witnessing, reporting, or responding, ask whether or another disability may be present. The simple act of asking could save a life.

08/12/2026

Remembering JAC today, two years after his passing, and honoring the advocacy of his mother, Shannon Carper, a member of NASC's Advisory Board.

In a recent post, Shannon wrote the words, “I wish I could still take care of you, even if for just one more day.”

The unimaginable heartbreak of losing JAC is ongoing, and so is Shannon's caring heart and tireless advocacy in his memory.

On this day, we remember JAC, say his name, and hold Shannon and all who love and miss him close in our hearts.

Raising JAC

Keep shining bright, little one ✨

Love you to infinity and beyond 🤍♾️

08/12/2026

URGENT UPDATE: Community leaders, the U.S. is now averaging nine autism-related elopement deaths per month. This is a crisis in need of immediate action.

In the last seven days alone, six children have died following elopement. Two cases involved a torn or broken screen door, multiple children drowned in ponds, and multiple rescues have also occurred.

Among 2026 cases where race is known, nearly four out of five fatalities involved Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American children and adults.

Urgent action is needed to strengthen community supports, services, tools, training, and prevention programs, so that these deaths can be replaced with safe recoveries.

Elopement can happen very quickly and quietly, overnight while a family is sleeping, or right in front of a parent or teacher when a child abruptly bolts and outruns them.

In one of our previous studies, 45% of elopement cases occurred under non-parent supervision. This is not simply a matter of “bad parenting” or a parent failing to watch their child.

There is no single safeguard that can prevent every elopement incident. Supervision can have gaps. Locks and alarms can fail. Screens can tear. Routines change. Emergencies happen.

It's why prevention must be layered.

This Swiss Cheese Model for Autism Elopement uses NASC's SAFE framework to help families and communities think through multiple layers of prevention, preparation, and emergency response.

Please review and share the flyer. A single layer may have a gap, but multiple overlapping layers can help keep that gap from becoming a tragedy.

Download the flyer at: https://tinyurl.com/ElopementSwissCheeseModel

Dispatchers, Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) language is now available at https://autismsafetycouncil.github.io/alert-generator/

Our data dashboard is available at AutismDash.org, or https://www.autismsafetycouncil.org/search-water-first

To assist your community, write us at [email protected].

We need communities across the country working together to prevent these deaths and recognize and protect those at highest risk, particularly children with under the age of 10.

08/10/2026

One good way to kick off season: If your child’s school has a fence around the playground, walk it.

Look for gaps, openings, damaged fencing, or areas where a child could get through. Write down anything you find and request repairs before the school year begins. Check that gates are self-closing, self-latching, and fully secured.

Then, Google the school address and look at the surrounding area. Note any nearby ponds, pools, creeks, drainage areas, or other bodies of water that should be included in your child’s school safety planning.

There are many safety considerations when it comes to school, and parents don’t have to tackle everything at once. Take it one step at a time.

Start with our free Guide and Restraint & Seclusion Prevention Guide, linked in comments. Read through them over the next several weeks, identify what applies to your child, and begin preparing for Back to School and Back to Safety.

If you need additional help, you can always reach out to us directly at [email protected].