As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, my heart broke upon hearing the devastating news about a young neurodivergent boy who recently went missing in Calgary and was ultimately found deceased. This tragedy has underscored a glaring issue in our current alert systems—while there is an Amber Alert for child abductions, there is no dedicated alert for neurodivergent individuals who may go missing. We need a Silver Alert or a Parker Alert system for situations like this.

Neurodivergent individuals, especially those who are nonverbal, can become disoriented, lost, and utterly terrified when separated from their caregivers. A dedicated alert system could drastically improve their chances of being found quickly and safely. According to the advocacy group Autism Canada, children with autism have a 50% greater chance of wandering away, often leading to dangerous situations. Time is of the essence in these cases, and a well-coordinated alert system could be the difference between hope and heartbreak.

A Silver Alert would function similarly to the Amber Alert but would focus on individuals with cognitive impairments, whether due to autism, dementia, or other conditions. This system would need to be tailored to address the unique challenges these individuals face, such as coordinating search efforts through social services skilled in handling neurodivergent behaviors and gathering volunteer searchers who are informed about the specific needs and communication methods required.

In Alberta, we have seen the effectiveness of proactive alerts in saving lives. The community bands together, and with the instantaneous nature of digital communication, an alert can swiftly rally support and resources. We cannot afford to wait for another tragedy to strike. Implementing a Silver Alert system would be a proactive approach to fill this urgent gap and provide peace of mind to thousands of families throughout Calgary and beyond.

We call upon the local government, law enforcement agencies, and social service organizations to collaborate on establishing a Silver Alert system that is equipped to respond rapidly and effectively when not just children, but any neurodivergent individual, goes missing. This initiative would not only offer a critical response system but show compassion and commitment to the most vulnerable members of our community.

Please sign this petition to urge our leaders to take decisive action in creating a Silver Alert system. Together, we can make a difference and provide safety and hope for neurodivergent individuals and their families.