Our family experienced a devastating loss; our autistic son went missing and was tragically found dead in a pond behind our house 28 hours later. It is our heartfelt belief that if an alert system similar to "Amber Alert" but specified for missing children with spectrum disorders—the "Joshua Alert”—were instituted, we might have had a fair chance of finding our son in time.

Children with Autism are likely to wander off or bolt from safety—an event prompted by either a specific distraction, a desire to escape an overwhelming situation, or the simple curiosity to explore. According to the National Autism Association, nearly half of children with autism engage in wandering behavior. More alarming is that more than one third of these children are unable to communicate their name, address, or phone number (source: Interactive Autism Network Research Report: Elopement and Wandering, 2011).

The reality of this vulnerability necessitates immediate responses when these children go missing. By implementing a "Joshua Alert," authorities will be signaled immediately when a 911 call is made, and the search for the missing child can commence without delay.

In memory of our son and for the safety of all children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, we urge decision makers to require the implementation of "Joshua Alert" in our communities nationwide. Please sign this petition to support an immediate response mechanism for missing children with spectrum disorders.