Emergency-ready — before you ever need it.

In an emergency, responders have seconds to make sense of what they see. An autistic child who doesn't answer questions, covers their ears, avoids eye contact, or runs from a uniform can be misread as uncooperative, or missed entirely if they're hiding.

You can't control the emergency. You can control how much the people showing up already know. That's what this guide is for: getting the right information into the right hands before the worst day.

Responders and ER staff need the essentials fast. Your profile should fit on one page and include:

• Photo, name, nickname, age, height and weight
• Diagnoses and medications, allergies, and anything to avoid
• Communication: speaks, uses AAC, uses sign, or is nonspeaking; responds to name or not
• Sensory triggers: sirens, flashing lights, being touched, dogs, loud voices
• What calms them: a song, a character, deep pressure, a quiet voice, a specific object
• What they might do when scared: run, hide, hit, drop to the floor, repeat phrases
• Favorite places they might head toward if lost (see the Wandering guide)
• Emergency contacts and their doctors

Two free, ready-made forms:

• NAA Personal Emergency Profile: a printable sheet with symbols, made for autism families.
• AAP/ACEP Emergency Information Form (EIF): created by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Emergency Physicians for kids with special health care needs. It's more medical, and it summarizes a complicated health history for ER staff when you or your pediatrician can't be reached. The AAP suggests keeping a copy in your family's go-kit. Ask your pediatrician to help you complete it, especially if your child has complex medical needs.

• Smart911. In areas that use it, you can create a free household profile with medical, communication, and photo info. Smart911 says your profile is only seen if you call 911, and it shows up for call-takers in any Smart911 area. Coverage varies, so check whether your county takes part.
• Local disability registries. Ready.gov notes that many city and county emergency management offices keep voluntary registries for people with disabilities. Call your local emergency management office and ask.
• Local registration programs. Some law enforcement agencies run confidential programs where families register a disabled person's information so officers can help them get home. NCMEC highlights one run by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department in California. Ask your non-emergency line what's available near you.

A calm, low-stakes introduction can change how an emergency goes.

• Call the non-emergency line and ask whether officers have autism training, and whether you can drop off a profile.
• Visit the fire station. Many stations welcome kids. Let your child see the truck, the gear, and a firefighter in full mask, which can look terrifying, on a good day.
• Use NAA's "Meet the Police" toolkit. It's free, and it's designed to help autistic people and families build trust with local law enforcement before there's a crisis.
• Look for sensory-friendly community events. NCMEC supports local agencies in hosting these.

Hello, my name is [Your name], and I live at [Address]. My [Age]-year-old, [Child's name], is autistic. [Pronouns (he, she, or they)] [How they communicate]. In an emergency, [Child's name] may be frightened by [What scares them] and may run or hide. What helps most is [What calms them]. I've attached a one-page profile with a photo. Please reach me at [Your phone] with any questions. Thank you for keeping our family safe.

• Social stories about police officers, firefighters, and paramedics as helpers. Include what they look and sound like.
• Practice the fire drill at home, starting with the alarm at a distance or low volume if the sound is overwhelming.
• Practice showing ID. A card in a pocket or a bracelet they can point to. For AAC users, add phrases like "I'm autistic," "I need help," and your phone number. See Communication & AAC.
• For teens and adults: role-play a calm police interaction. Keep hands visible, say or show "I'm autistic," and ask for a parent or supporter. Some families carry a wallet card that explains this.

Stay as calm as you can, lead with the key facts, and say "autistic" early.

NCMEC's 911 checklist for dispatchers is a good preview of what you'll be asked. It covers reactions to lights and sirens, communication, medical needs, and favorite places. If you know the answers ahead of time, you won't have to come up with them under stress.

• Bring the profile or EIF and hand it over at triage.
• Ask early for what helps: a quieter room, dimmer lights, fewer people at once, permission to keep headphones or a comfort item.
• Ask for a child life specialist if the hospital has one. They help kids cope with procedures.
• Explain your child's pain signs. Some autistic kids show pain in unexpected ways, or seem to show very little. Tell staff what pain looks like for your child.
• Pack a mini go-bag for the car (see below) so you're not scrambling.

Our Medical visits guide covers shots, blood draws, and planned visits in more depth.

Ready.gov's advice for families of people with disabilities: plan to manage on your own for several days, build a support network, and plan for anyone who struggles in chaotic, unfamiliar places. For autistic kids, add:

• Medications (a written list plus extra supply if possible) and copies of prescriptions. Coverage questions live in the Insurance guide.
• The profile and EIF, sealed in a waterproof bag
• Communication tools: AAC device and charger, a backup power bank, and a laminated low-tech picture board in case the device dies
• Regulation kit: headphones, fidgets, a comfort item, sunglasses (see Meltdowns for a full calm-down kit list)
• Safe foods that don't need cooking, and water
• Wearable ID and a current photo, in case you get separated in a shelter
• A visual schedule or social story about "going to a shelter" or "staying somewhere new"

Not every emergency is physical. If your child or teen is in emotional crisis or talking about self-harm, you can call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) any time. NAA notes that research suggests autistic youth and adults may face a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors than other people. Take any talk of self-harm seriously, and go to the ER if you believe your child is in immediate danger.

Pages and documents this guide draws on.

• NAA: Personal Emergency Profile Sheet — Printable profile made for autism families.
• NAA: Meet the Police toolkit
• NAA: Autism & Safety Data — Includes a research summary on suicidality, and 988.
• ACEP and AAP: Emergency Information Form — Emergency Information Form for Children With Special Health Care Needs.
• AAP: Emergency Preparedness for Children with Special Health Care Needs
• Ready.gov: People with Disabilities — Support networks, local registries, communication cards, and planning for kids who struggle in chaotic settings.
• Smart911 — How profiles work, and when they're seen.
• NCMEC: Autism & Wandering — Sensory-friendly events and 911 resources.
• NCMEC / IACP Home Safe: 911 checklist
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• NIDCR: Practical Oral Care for People With Autism — Notes that some autistic people react strongly to noise and touch but may show little reaction to pain or heat.