By now it’s no secret that I’m working on GPS Tracker project. It’s targeted at kids or adults with Autism, as well as persons with alzheimer’s. Basically, we are looking to provide a means of quick and safe recovery of persons who tend to wander off.
In order for us to help the greatest amount of people, we need your input.
I have been asked to reach out to the Autism community and pick your brains. What we want to know is this. If you could design the perfect device for your loved one that wanders, what would it be?
Examples of things to keep in mind are as follows:
1) Size
2) Shape
3) Means of attaching the device to your loved one
4) Features (LCD screen, alerts, tracking options, etc)
5) Color
6) How you would make it sensory friendly
7) Expected battery life
8) Do you want to ability to “listen in” using this device
9) Water Resistant
10) Do you want to be alerted if the device is removed
11) Removable Battery
12) Tracking and locating options (ie Android or iPhone apps)
These are just a few things to think about.
We are also hosting a giveaway as well. One of the optional entries are to share what the perfect GPS tracking device would be for your situation. Follow the instructions on the rafflecopter widget below.
Use either the Livefyre or Facebook comment forms below, to answer the questions. Please copy the question into the comment prior to answering it. This way we avoid any confusion.
Good luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Something like the above, maybe on the shoe? But what if the shoes come off? Maybe have it implanted.
Maybe a cell phone would be a good GPS Tracking device.
Thomas Murphy
rounder9834 @yahoo.com
Do you worry about your child with Autism, wandering off?
I don’t have a child with autism but I would worry if I did.
Thomas Murphy
rounder9834 @yahoo.com
I dont have a child with autism but I’m sure I would worry about them wondering off if I did
It would be small and light
something small, lightweight and water proof
Do you worry about your child with Autism, wandering off?
Not so much wandering off, but now that he’s 15, he wants to walk home from school, ride his bike around town, etc. Our biggest fight was about getting his permit. I just don’t think it’s safe for him to drive. But I worry about him getting into a car with a stranger. If someone told him that his mom told them to come pick him up, he wouldn’t even think to distrust them. We’ve talked about it a lot, but I’m still not sure he has the willpower to say no if someone offered him candy, or pizza even. Or if they asked him to help look for their cat. That’s what I’d want it for…
Ok, my oldest son is type 1 diabetic, on an insulin pump, so I was thinking something small that could be attached directly to the skin, like an infusion site or Continuous Glucose Monitor. But not something that has to be inserted. Most of those adhesives can last anywhere from 3 to 7 days. That way it would work even for the ones who tend to try to wonder off naked. After the 7 days, you can change the battery, and put it back on, possibly in a different spot. It could be put in a spot that would be hard for the individual to reach by themselves. If all we’re wanting to do is track them, there’s really no need for it to have a screen, or anything like that. I’d say for monitoring, android or iPhone apps, or computer apps. I’d prefer an iPhone app personally, or one that can be downloaded onto the iPhone, iPad, or mac all three. For those who don’t have a smart phone, there could be a small device that would fit in the palm of your hand for tracking.
The other thing to consider, is if this is something that will be covered by insurance, or will people have to come up with the money to get it themselves?
Im not so creative.. I keep thinking lanyard.. good luck
Do you worry about your child with Autism, wandering off? No not really.
Something small, not chunky. Something that would attach to clothing and be unnoticeable.Maybe sort of like a sim card. It could trigger an alarm in the home as well as track the child.
I would think if not on shoes then perhaps a keyring they are attached to or perhaps some other thing they always carry with them.
I hope this suggestion doesn’t offend anyone. I do not have an autistic child but I am the guardian of one if his mother passes and he is 21. Is there not a way by now that we can put a chip of some sort in them (like they do for pets – please dont be offended) but would alert us on our phone where they are? I raised two nt kids and if i could have I would have done it for them because at least I would know where they were.
I think that something that would go on shoes would help. My son won’t keep on bracelets or necklaces. Waterproof for sure. Alert when taken off good. Battery life would be awesome if it could be charged. Never thought about listening in but that’s really awesome! If there could be characters for kids that would make them want to wear it more also. I think it would also be good if you could go on computer and manage an area for them to stay in. If they go out of the area you get an alert sent to you so you know they are leaving area you’ve approved.
Ok so I got a little confused on the site to answer the questions for the prize but here is my 2 cents. The size, shape and place that it is placed on the body should be varied. Why? So it can be sensory friendly for a larger group of people. Also, because it will also be used for adults with Alzheimers. I would like an alert when it is removed. Putting on shoes laces is a good one provided that the case is waterproof if a child wanders into water. Actually, that would be a great alert. My mom has a pool and when my son was younger and I couldn’t find him, I went straight for the pool. It terrified me. A removable battery is always great so that you don’t have to purchase new expensive equipment when the battery dies. Listening in is not so important but, now that my son is playing with neighborhood kids without me there, I would actually like to know if how he is doing and if he is being teased. I am trying to let him be more independent but, something like this would make it a lot easier. Some other options for attaching are a watch, a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, a pocket that that Velcros or can be sewn into a shirts or jackets and then the device placed in it when needed.
So I would not want to have to deal with it going off if I take my son out to run errands, but if we were out and he bolted (which for him was the only time he did so) I would want to be able to use my phone to track him, not have to go back to my house to my computer. I agree that attaching to a shoe would be a good plan, and it would have to be waterproof in that case.
Rob, here are my thoughts/ideas for your GPS tracking device. My father had Alzheimer’s so I definitely kept that in mind as well as those with Autism. I hope this helps.
1) Size – The GPS tracker should be small enough to fit into your hand, like a mobile phone, if you don’t use an app for tracking. The tracking module should be small enough to fit into the palm of your hand.
2) Shape – I’d go with round or rectangular with rounded edges for the tracking module.
3) Means of attaching the device to your loved one – Bracelet, necklace, or have adhesive to attach to clothes or shoes. Subcutaneous RFID chip (just an idea).
4) Features (LCD screen, alerts, tracking options, etc) – GPS should have a touch LCD screen or it could be an app for your phone or personal device. Definitely have alerts to let you know if the tracking subject leaves a certain predetermined area or gets so far from GPS device.
5) Color – Multiple choice for colors. Kids, even Autistic children like to have a choice, as well as adults.
6) How you would make it sensory friendly – Make it so it can be attached to clothes/shoes so it doesn’t touch the skin for those who don’t like necklaces or bracelets. Or maybe the tracking module can be subcutaneous, like an RFID chip, as mentioned above.
7) Expected battery life – At least 18-24 hours minimum if it’s something like a bracelet, etc. Needs to be rechargeable.
8) Do you want to ability to “listen in” using this device – For kids it could be an option, but not for adults (most likely). Adults [even Autistic adults & those with Alzheimer’s] want their privacy.
9) Water Resistant – Most definitely! Always important.
10) Do you want to be alerted if the device is removed – Extremely necessary
11) Removable Battery – Only if you can’t recharge the tracking module itself (like an RFID chip). You don’t want the tracking subject removing batteries.
12) Tracking and locating options (ie Android or iPhone apps) – I think apps for iOS or Android devices is essential.
Feel free to ask if I’ve confused you with anything. I wish you all the luck in this ingenious endeavor, Rob.
Definitely something on the shoe or even on the buckle of their pants. As to location via android or computer I hope its feasible.
How about something on a zip tie, so that it can only be cut off by a parent. Then it could be put on a belt loop, shoe, or anything else with a loop, and could be changed with the weather, or changing different shoes or what ever.
i also was thinking the same thing kids wear shoes all the time or underpants you could place it in the under pants in the elastic im sure it would be perfect or in there shoes under the tongue of the shoes
It would definitely have to be something that they would wear everyday. An attachment to an article of clothing or to their shoes. It would be very difficult to get many children to wear something otherwise. It must be waterproof with a sort of GPS tracking system. It must be something that police officers can notice and understand the meaning behind. Not only will it be useful for our children, but those children become adults and many times are thought belligerent when in essence they are autistic.
I think that something that would go on shoes would help. My son won't keep on bracelets or necklaces. Waterproof for sure. Alert when taken off good. Battery life would be awesome if it could be charged. Never thought about listening in but that's really awesome! If there could be characters for kids that would make them want to wear it more also. I think it would also be good if you could go on computer and manage an area for them to stay in. If they go out of the area you get an alert sent to you so you know they are leaving area you've approved.
I posted this on facebook also.
Ok so I got a little confused on the site to answer the questions for the prize but here is my 2 cents. The size, shape and place that it is placed on the body should be varied. Why? So it can be sensory friendly for a larger group of people. Also, because it will also be used for adults with Alzheimers. I would like an alert when it is removed. Putting on shoes laces is a good one provided that the case is waterproof if a child wanders into water. Actually, that would be a great alert. My mom has a pool and when my son was younger and I couldn’t find him, I went straight for the pool. It terrified me. A removable battery is always great so that you don’t have to purchase new expensive equipment when the battery dies. Listening in is not so important but, now that my son is playing with neighborhood kids without me there, I would actually like to know if how he is doing and if he is being teased. I am trying to let him be more independent but, something like this would make it a lot easier. Some other options for attaching are a watch, a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, a pocket that that Velcros or can be sewn into a shirts or jackets and then the device placed in it when needed.