Our son, Hudson, is our entire world. However, he faces challenges many will never understand or experience. Hudson has Autism and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Being that he is nonverbal and exhibits no safety awareness skills, this presents great danger if he were to wander off or elope. This makes every second crucial to ensure his safe return. Much like Hudson, thousands of neurodiverse children across Tennessee are at risk every day. As parents, living with this constant fear is overwhelming, knowing that the current systems in place are inadequate for our children's specific needs.

Tennessee needs to set a new precedent to protect its most vulnerable residents. The current Endangered Child Alert is inadequate because it does not feature the same automatic, legally-mandated statutory triggers being utilized in Ohio’s current framework. We urgently need a Joshua's Law that mandates immediate emergency alerts—just like Amber Alerts—specifically for missing neurodiverse children. Time is of the essence when it comes to these children and swift action can mean the difference between life and tragedy.

According to the study ‘Reported Wandering Behavior among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability’, nearly half of children with autism have attempted to wander or elope from safe environments. Many organizations, including the Autism Society of America, emphasize the heightened risks these children face when they go missing. This includes drowning, exposure, and other hazards that they may not perceive as dangers due to their lack of safety awareness.

A Joshua’s Law for Tennessee would serve multiple purposes:
1. Fast Activation - Ensure alerts are disseminated rapidly to the public, first responders, and volunteers. This could involve integrated systems that combine mobile alerts, radio, and digital billboards specifically designed for efficiency in reaching diverse communication channels.
2. Training and Protocols - Enhance training for all law enforcement and emergency response teams to recognize and adequately respond to such cases. Protocols should be specifically adapted to address the unique behavioral patterns and needs of neurodiverse children.
3. Community Outreach Programs - Work with local organizations to educate communities on the importance of recognizing and reporting sightings of missing neurodiverse children. Public education initiatives can significantly increase the community’s readiness to help locate such children promptly.

Implementing Joshua’s Law is not just about creating another legal mandate. It’s about prioritizing the lives and safety of children like Hudson across Tennessee. Like Ohio, we can lead the way in setting an example for other states by showing that no child is invisible and their safety is non-negotiable.

Please stand with us and call for the immediate implementation of Joshua’s Law in Tennessee. Every signature brings us closer to a safer environment for Hudson and other neurodiverse children in Tennessee. Please sign this petition to make an impactful change!