11 July 2007

Be Prepared

Health and Nutrition Quality of Life

Tornadoes are spinning in the mid-West and a tropical storm is raining on Florida. Those natural disasters are a reminder of the need for an emergency plan for all families, and especially families of individuals with special needs. A parent of a pre-teen with autism commented, “It would be nice to have a check list of supplies I should keep on hand.”

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SPECIFIC STRATEGY This parent hit the nail on the head. Most of us find it challenging enough just to take care of regular days, so we rarely take time to plan ahead for a disaster. Even if you live in an area that isn’t typically affected by natural disasters, it is still a good idea to have an emergency plan in place and supplies stocked in the event of an extended power outage or other unexpected event.
ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL:
(1) Keep a one-week supply of water on hand – that is one gallon per day per person.
(2) A week’s supply of prescription medications.
(3) Portable camping toilet, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.
(4) Several flashlights, camping lanterns, and a portable radio – all with fresh batteries.
(5) Adequate clothing, bedding, toiletries, first aid kit, and other essentials
(6) A week’s supply of non-perishable food – consider the special dietary needs and food preferences of individuals with autism. Although you can get propane stoves and other non-electric cooking devices, it is probably best to keep a food supply that doesn’t require heating or refrigeration. Some ideas: dried meats, canned shredded chicken or canned tuna, dried fruits, apples, bananas, canned fruit, carrots, olives, pickles, bread, mustard, crackers, pretzels, cereal bars, snack mix, peanut butter and jelly, nutrition bars, and appropriate food for anyone on a special diet.

+ Keep cell phones powered up as much as possible by calling one central contact person to notify other family and friends, and by keeping the phones off except for emergencies. Keep contact numbers close at hand.

So, the motto here is to “Be Prepared.” Gather up essential items your family would need should you be isolated for a week . Put these survival supplies in a central place and tell everyone in the family the location of your emergency kit.

NOTE TO LISTENERS AND READERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. You can click on a button to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solutions. Check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. www.FAQautism.com

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