Trigger Warning: This article contains strong language and discusses active shooter and lockdown scenarios.
While preparing my son’s backpack for school this morning, I found myself in a reflective moment. As I attempted to untangle his medical dog tags, a wave of anxiety washed over me. In the unfortunate event of a lockdown due to an active shooter, all of his educators and support staff are aware that his diabetes bag must remain with him. This bag contains essential items like juice and candy to prevent hypoglycemia, extra insulin supplies, and life-saving medications like his EpiPen and glucagon.
As I was separating the dog tags, they jingled in my hands—a sound that could potentially jeopardize his safety in a tense situation where silence is critical. The realization hit me hard.
You might think the solution is straightforward: simply replace the noisy dog tags with silent alternatives. We plan to do that soon, but it isn’t that simple. Daniel has refused to wear the medical alert bracelets we’ve purchased in various materials and sizes, opting instead for the tags. While the bracelets indicate his diabetes status, they don’t mention his autism, which is equally important.
What truly unsettled me was the thought of him needing to be quiet for an extended duration. Daniel is a bundle of energy, rarely still, always in motion—skipping, running, talking, and engaging in various forms of stimming. How can we communicate the importance of silence to a six-year-old without instilling fear?
I came across an interview with two special education professors who are also parents of children with special needs. They have created an Individualized Emergency and Lockdown Plan (IELP) to complement existing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Their approach includes identifying a child’s strengths and needs in emergencies. Although we have addressed some medical aspects in Daniel’s IEP, I hadn’t considered the autism-related factors until now.
One of Daniel’s strengths is his remarkable lack of fear, which ironically terrifies me. He doesn’t shy away from the dark or from hiding. However, I worry about how he would react to loud alarms or gunfire. Would he freeze? Would he scream in response to a noise?
Communication remains a significant hurdle. Although he has a rich vocabulary, he often struggles to follow directions and needs frequent redirection. Would he understand the importance of hiding in a closet? If it seemed like a game, would he giggle instead of taking it seriously?
From a sensory perspective, he doesn’t chew on objects, but might benefit from a small item for comfort, akin to the security blanket he uses at home. This is something I’ll discuss during upcoming parent-teacher conferences.
I reached out to his teacher to ask about lockdown drills. Thankfully, she assured me they have practiced various safety drills, framing them simply as “safety” exercises. Daniel has participated without any apparent distress, which gives me some relief. I prefer that he remains unaware of the gravity of these situations rather than instilling anxiety that could exacerbate his diabetes.
Meanwhile, my younger son, Miles, experienced a lockdown drill at preschool this week. He is just four years old. The recent tragedy at a high school in Florida has heightened awareness, prompting educators to take action. While I appreciate their commitment to safety, I am left wondering how Miles will process this information. He is sensitive and already shows signs of anxiety, and I find myself at a loss for how to approach the topic with him.
There are days when I question the decision to bring children into a world fraught with danger. Yet, I am reminded of the lyrics from Genesis’ “Land of Confusion”: “This is the world we live in, and these are the hands we’re given.” Change is essential, and I hope it comes from the passionate voices of today’s youth, like those who are advocating for change in the wake of gun violence.
Perhaps in the future, I won’t have to worry about these drills. One can only hope.
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Summary
This article explores the challenges faced by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder during active shooter scenarios, emphasizing the need for tailored emergency plans. It highlights the importance of communication, sensory needs, and the emotional impact of such drills on young children.