During the past three weeks, Montgomery County police officers have located more than 30 people with autism who had wandered away.
In most of these cases, the person was located before the caregiver ever called 911, according to Officer Laurie Reyes, coordinator of the department’s Autism, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Alzheimer/Dementia unit.
Often, police officers are notified by residents who spot someone in a dangerous place, including a busy intersection or a body of water, she said.
People with certain disabilities tend to wander. “It can happen to the best of caregivers,” she said.
Generally, the unit receives three to eight calls a week concerning missing people with autism, dementia and intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to Reyes.
In the vast majority of instances, the person is safely returned home, even if they aren’t able to communicate or say their name and address. That is why Reyes urges caregivers to have their person wear an identification bracelet or even use a Sharpie pen on their clothing to list the address.
Most times, these cases have a happy ending. That did not happen this weekend although police officers and others searched the area for 26 hours hoping to find six-year-old Fawzan Hassan, who was last seen at a playground in Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg.
Fawzan was autistic and non-verbal. On Sunday, his body was found by community members when it surfaced in a lake at Bohrer Park.
“It’s rare to have it end this way,” Reyes said.
Council President Andrew Friedson, during his weekly media briefing Monday, sent his “deepest condolences to the family of Fawzan Hassan. “There are no words.”
He thanked all the first responders as well as community members who helped during the search.
When approaching someone who appears lost and unable to communicate, the first thing to do is call 911, Reyes said. Then stay close enough that the wanderer is not frightened.
Wait until the police arrive, she said, and only engage with that person if they allow it.
When engaging with the child, approach calmly and slowly and avoid any sudden movements or loud, startling noises. Speak gently and reassuring and strive to ensure the person’s safety until police arrive.
Caregivers should not hesitate to call police if their charge is missing, Reyes stressed. “We know this can happen to the best caregivers. The caregivers need to know we are not judgmental,” she said.
For more information, read Montgomery County Police’s brochure entitled, “Providing a “Layered Approach” to Safety, Awareness and Action Through Education, Outreach, Empowerment, Follow Up, and Response.”
The department also has a website concerning its Autism/IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities), Alzheimer’s and Dementia Outreach Program.
