Implement Parker Alert for nonverbal autistic children
The Issue
My heart shattered when I heard the tragic story from Calgary—a young boy, filled with innocence and wonder, wandered into danger, alone and afraid. His name was Parker, an autistic child who was nonverbal and unable to call for help. He was later found in a culvert, a preventable tragedy that has left many families like mine living in fear.
I am a mother and grandmother of a wonderful autistic child who is nonverbal. Each day I worry about the myriad dangers the world poses to those who can't easily communicate their distress or whereabouts. This isn't a fear any family should have to endure. With the rising incidence of autism, it's crucial we establish measures to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable children.
What we need is a Parker Alert, specifically designed for nonverbal autistic children. Modeled after existing Amber Alert systems but tailored to meet the unique needs of the autistic community, this system would focus on rapid dissemination of information when a nonverbal autistic child goes missing. Key elements of a Parker Alert could include immediate notifications to caregivers, enhanced search protocols focusing on areas that children with autism are likely to explore, and collaborations with autism experts to train first responders.
Consider: in 2020 alone, approximately 1 in 54 children in North America were diagnosed with autism, according to the CDC. Many are nonverbal, and thousands are reported missing each year. This is a widespread issue with equally widespread heartbreak.
We have the technology, and with the right policies in place, we can prevent countless tragedies. Let Parker’s story become a beacon of change and hope for families like mine. We urge lawmakers, safety officials, and community leaders to act now to create and implement the Parker Alert system, ensuring that should the unthinkable happen, every second counts toward finding our children safe.
Join me in calling for this vital change. Sign this petition to advocate for the creation and implementation of the Parker Alert system to protect nonverbal autistic children and assure families that help is swiftly on the way when it is most needed. Your signature can help us achieve this life-saving goal.
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The Issue
My heart shattered when I heard the tragic story from Calgary—a young boy, filled with innocence and wonder, wandered into danger, alone and afraid. His name was Parker, an autistic child who was nonverbal and unable to call for help. He was later found in a culvert, a preventable tragedy that has left many families like mine living in fear.
I am a mother and grandmother of a wonderful autistic child who is nonverbal. Each day I worry about the myriad dangers the world poses to those who can't easily communicate their distress or whereabouts. This isn't a fear any family should have to endure. With the rising incidence of autism, it's crucial we establish measures to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable children.
What we need is a Parker Alert, specifically designed for nonverbal autistic children. Modeled after existing Amber Alert systems but tailored to meet the unique needs of the autistic community, this system would focus on rapid dissemination of information when a nonverbal autistic child goes missing. Key elements of a Parker Alert could include immediate notifications to caregivers, enhanced search protocols focusing on areas that children with autism are likely to explore, and collaborations with autism experts to train first responders.
Consider: in 2020 alone, approximately 1 in 54 children in North America were diagnosed with autism, according to the CDC. Many are nonverbal, and thousands are reported missing each year. This is a widespread issue with equally widespread heartbreak.
We have the technology, and with the right policies in place, we can prevent countless tragedies. Let Parker’s story become a beacon of change and hope for families like mine. We urge lawmakers, safety officials, and community leaders to act now to create and implement the Parker Alert system, ensuring that should the unthinkable happen, every second counts toward finding our children safe.
Join me in calling for this vital change. Sign this petition to advocate for the creation and implementation of the Parker Alert system to protect nonverbal autistic children and assure families that help is swiftly on the way when it is most needed. Your signature can help us achieve this life-saving goal.
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Petition created on July 30, 2026