Natural disasters like the recent California wildfire bring challenges to everyone, but special needs families face heightened problems. Children with special health needs are the most vulnerable at this critical period because necessary medical supplies may be unavailable to them at that point. Additionally, they may struggle for movement or be unable to communicate with others. Nearly one out of every five children in the United States have special needs.

Periods like this can be daunting for parents and guardians of these special needs children. Therefore, emergency preparedness for families with special needs children is paramount and requires meticulous planning. A special needs child has unique needs that go beyond those of other children, and must be prioritized in catastrophes like wildfires. This article focuses on preparing for emergencies and creating a secure and stable environment for special needs children amid crisis.

Impact of Emergencies on Special Needs Families

Emergencies like the California wildfire can occur at any time and leave devastating effects on families with special needs children. Situations like that can lead to emotional instability of both the child and the parents/caregivers, limit mobility and access to medical supplies, impede communication, and cause behavioral outburst. If you have never thought about these concerns and their impact on your special needs children during crises, now is the time. 

It’s not pleasant to think about how emergencies will affect your special needs child, but you must consider what may happen if you’re not prepared for crises. For example, the California wildfire has rendered thousands homeless. Should you have a special needs child, how prepared are you for situations like this? What if your home too was burned? What do you do? How will your child cope without the aid or electronic device when the power goes out? If something happens to you, the child may be helpless.

Emergencies don’t wait for you to be ready. The best way to deal with one is to be informed. Being informed keeps you in the loop of what to expect during an emergency and how to react. Learn about emergency signals in your city, discover the resources available during crises, and find out locations where people go during a disaster. 

How to Stay Prepared for Emergencies

1. Create a Plan

Besides being informed, the next thing to do is to create a plan as a family. Determine what to do during an emergency, where to go, and what to do if the family members are separated. Also, establish a method of communication if power is unavailable. Ensure everyone has contact information for each other and essential resources like doctors and therapists. It’d help to also save contacts of those that live outside your neighborhood whom you can call for help. 

Children with communication challenges often have difficulties expressing their needs during disasters. Therefore, establish an alternative communication method like sign language or picture cards to facilitate effective communication. 

Furthermore, have a thorough record of your special needs child on hand, in the car, and their emergency kit. Their records should have their medical conditions, allergies, instructions for their medications and assistive devices, communication preferences, and behavioral triggers. They should also have their record with them as it'd help other adults take care of your child in your absence. 

2. Have Additional Supplies Ready

Ensure your child has an ample supply of medical supplies, including medications and medical equipment like oxygen tanks, feeding tubes, hearing aids, etc. Pack at least a week’s supply alongside their backups for easy access during emergencies.

Also, include their comfortable items like toys and blankets to help reduce anxiety. If your special needs child has autism, they may be sensitive to loud noises, bright lights, and crowded spaces. So provide them with earplugs and noise-canceling headphones. These can be lifesavers in noisy environments. 

3. Plan for Mobility and Evacuation

Evacuating your family, especially with special needs children involved isn’t easy. You have to think about their comfort and emotional needs first. Your vehicle must be enormous enough to accommodate mobility aids, such as wheelchairs and foldable ramps. In addition, ensure there’s an emergency shelter that’s accessible to them. 

Public shelters aren’t always the best for special needs children. Therefore, research shelters that offer special needs accommodation. Also, Consider bringing along their portable safety beds too to minimize the stress of acclimatizing to a new, unfamiliar environment. All these will get your child settled in.

4. Think About Diet

Most special needs children have dietary restrictions. This can get complicated during emergencies or crises where access to this kind of food will be limited. While packing their medical supplies, remember to also include their specialized foods. Feeding supplies, such as utensils, feeding cups and equipment should also be included. 

You should also have an emergency kit ready. This should include everything you and your special needs child need to survive for a few days, such as two or three gallons of water, flashlights, battery-powered radio, blankets, hand sanitizers and wipes, a first aid kit, etc. 

5. Practice! Practice!! Practice!!!

Regularly practice emergency drills with your child to familiarize them with the procedures of preparedness during emergencies. This will prevent them from feeling overwhelmed when such crises arise. Repetition can help them remember the steps to take during an emergency. 

Additional Tips to Stay Prepared for Emergencies

• Build a support network with neighbors and community members who are aware of your child’s needs. They can be helpful during an emergency.

• Use alert systems to stay informed of weather.

• Consider using GPS trackers to know the whereabouts of your child.

• Prepare for your child’s emotional needs by practicing breathing exercises and calming techniques beforehand.

Conclusion

Emergency preparedness is essential for your safety and most importantly, your special needs child. However, it requires meticulous planning and careful attention to their unique needs. By considering their emotional challenges, mobility needs, and sensory insensitivities, you can better ensure their safety during crises. The key is to be ready, and when you are, you won’t have a reason to panic. 

Contact us for portable safety beds and be guaranteed your child will have the best comfort.