Is That a Tattoo With……Your Mom’s Cell Number?
September 30, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
I’ve met more and more parents who’ve gotten a tattoo of a puzzle ribbon or of the Autism Speaks pale blue puzzle piece. How about putting a tattoo on your child—ok, a temporary one? Safety Tat offers a full selection of “temporary tats” that can be quickly applied. One says “I have autism” and another “I have non-verbal autism” (which isn’t technically a diagnostic label, of course, but I see the point, I think), while others have medical or allergy alerts; you can have your phone number printed on the tattoo. There’s also quick-stick waterproof write-on tattoos.
According to Cool Mom Picks, even a conservative MIL could love these tattoos.
In Charlie’s case, I suspect he would peel a tattoo right off, or try to— he’s learning to carry an ID card with him and to show it when asked.
Have you seen these sport versions of medical alert/info bracelets? My son has one.
http://www.medicalidstore.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=MedicalIDSportsBands
Ever try getting one of those things on a sensory defensive kid? Ugh! First you have to hold the SafetyTat on for a minute, then douse it with water from a wet paper towel to get the paper backing off. And then after all that, my kid just rubbed it off anyway because she didn’t like the way it felt on her skin. Sigh.
And writing on the kid with a Sharpie marker wouldn’t work as well? That’s practically free! I even have a few children who self-apply this technique! ;]
Ha!
Charlie won’t keep a bandaid on and he’s never liked face-painting.
thanks for the id bracelet link—-I think Charlie’s starting to get the hang of showing his id card; it’s something he works on at school.
We have used these a lot. Most of the time they went on fine and writing was not a problem. After the last time when the tat got wrinkled, I did just ask my wife, why exactly do we need the tatoo, can’t I just write this info on her anyway? Light bulb moment. So, we kept the pen and just used it the last time.
I’ve never wanted to do that, in part because—when he’s had art—-it’s been reported that Charlie was mostly interested in painting his hands, rather than the paper—-ok but then he never enjoyed the whole process of washing it all off!
I’m considering a new tattoo. It would read: http://www.autismvox.com. I can make it a large one on my back, go to the beach…function as a billboard. Whee!
Am overcome at the thought!
Both my kids started wearing ID bracelets after Gus got lost. Periodically I update them but they last pretty well. I’ve seen engraved as well as laser printed ones, and I think the engraving is a bit more durable. I may actually switch to removable bracelets because with them starting to play sports (I found a special needs soccer league and Gus starts this weekend – wish him luck), they may not be allowed to wear anything that could be construed as jewelry. Initially I wanted something they couldn’t remove, but it’s less of an issue now. Anyway, this is the site I ordered from:
http://www.idtags.com/
We really like Alex’s RoadID bracelet. I noticed the other day he has a tan band on that arm from wearing it. He wears it when he runs (races and training) and when he is out where he may not be right with one of us all the time. It reads:
Alex Bain I’m Autistic
Atypical Communication
If needed try written
words instead of speech
Mom’s Cell XXX-XXX-XXXX
515 Crooked Creek Rd PE
http://therunman.blogspot.com/2007/07/id-bracelets-alexs-bracelet.html
I bought the sneaker tag id but I cannot see what is written on that and how many professionals and others know to look at the shoes for id tags.
Matt is the same way with bandaids. Never leaves them on. With my eczema I can only wear NExcare active or comfort strips. Matt hurt his elbow at school last week and has a scab.
Yesterday he handed me a bandaid and I thought he wanted me to put it in since he is so observant most often he might have noticed I did not have any on my fingers.
I put bandaid back and he got it out again. I opened bandaid not knowing where it was to be placed and then he turned his elbow toward me, but it was 99 degrees and his arm was sticky and it did not stay on long.
I was talking to his aide on Monday (there was no school on Tue) about meaninful communication. Matt is not grasping the concept of a calendar. Also the same with numbers. I had some ideas. Going to write an article on the topic.
Hiya,
I have aspergers but sometimes have trouble with talking and sometimes can’t get any words out.
I have used a few tricks to help:
- I use a mobile phone and i write the message onto the phone screen and show it to people.
- I have a MacBook and i use quicksilver we used this in college for about 4 months last year when i coulden’t talk
- I have a little card with me when i go on trains so if i cannot talk i can show them the little card.
- I always have lion with me, so sometime i will tie something to his paw so i wont loose it as i wont loose lion.
hope that helps
^licks^
Jamie & Lion
Has anyone had a situation where the tattoo was a lifesaver or led to discovery of a lost child? Just curious. I had looked into alternative medalert accessories but was advised that emergency personnel were more likely to look for the bracelet or dogtag. Again, no value judgement–just curious, because I don’t really know; we haven’t yet had the situation.
Shawn3k, thanks for that link. I’d been looking for an expandable band type medic alert bracelet without much luck, but it’s on that site.
On kind of related note–has anyone gotten their child a state ID? What do you do in the situation where someone may not be able to compose a written signature?
Alex has had a PEI (Provincial) Voluntary ID for a few years now:
http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/tpw_volid.pdf
He can sign his name.
As far as I know, witnessed “X”’s are legal signatures.
Thanks jypsy.
I would love to get something like this for Andy. But he won’t keep a watch on, though band-aids are not a problem.