The school likely knew he was a bolter; that would be discussed in his IEP and explains why he was supposed to be 1-on-1. When I worked with MRDD populations, we called students/clients bolters when they had a habit of running. Someone who is mentally challenged but physically fit can be very quick. And it's not likely the school had enough staff for 1-on-1 supervision, but I'm sure they did their best with the staff available. They would need to turn their attention away for just one second, and a bolter could be long gone.
<RSBM>
I really hope Avonte has found shelter and that someone is looking out for him.
Yup!
That's what happened with the severely autistic daughter of one of my dear friends. She's the one who now has the special GPS device thing on her belt at all times that I posted about earlier.
She tried getting away from her 1-1 aide in Kindergarten and nearly got away with it, and a few weeks later made a run for it from her SS class (where she also had a 1-1 aide, though not one with much experience with that sort of thing) and they got their little gadget thing.
Like I said in my earlier post, it's the neatest thing because if something happens and you're looking for your child, aside from the GPS, it allows those with access to remotely to also cause it to turn on so they can hear the surroundings/voices/etc. around their child. That can be valuable information in addition to the location to know if they were with some, taken (and if you recognized a voice or heard someone threatening them, etc.) by someone, crying, etc.
I've told all my friends with kids who have even made slight attempts to bolt or gave indications they may be runners to look into it.
And after the rash of autistic kids gone missing on WS the last few weeks, only one of which I think was recovered alive (the rest were all near water and found in water) I've been re-reminded of how much of a life/death resource that could end up being.
Praying Avonte's just having himself a grand adventure and unaware of how many who are looking for him...but that those looking will find him soon!
I'm so glad the GoFundMePage was only taken down because they raised the money needed. It worried me to see that!
lease:
