Just as there is the Amber Alert for abducted children, should there be an “Autism Alert” when an autistic child is missing? The parents of Kaitlyn Bacile—-who, in September, was found drowned in a canal near her home —-think so, as reported in today’s WSVN (Florida):

While it’s too late for Kaitlyn, her parents hope some good can come from their tragedy.

Jay Bacile: “We want Kaitlyn’s life not to go in vain, at the very minimum we want to raise awareness. We just want her memory to live on and do good because that’s what Kaitlyn was, was pure goodness.

WSVN notes that current programs designed to report that autistic children are missing are “not being used consistently”:

The “Take Me Home” program supplies police with pictures and information of at-risk kids.

But of the 271 law enforcement agencies in Florida, only 41 use it. “A Child is Missing” is a national emergency system which can put out 1000 alert calls in one minute to a neighborhood where a child goes missing.

Claudia Corrigan, ACIM. “It’s important to get these calls out there immediately, and we can do it. You have a small window of time it’s a two to three hour and even then, if there’s water nearby it’s very very tough.”

The service is free to police, but they don’t always use it. Finally, only 37 police departments in Florida have picked up a program called project lifesaver.

Wristbands allow rescuers to track the person wearing it, but it puts the burden on parents to pay for a $300 bracelet. And most autistic children have sensory issues and won’t wear them.

Tina Brea: “This is a child that cannot communicate, that cannot understand the simple commands that others their age can. So any attention that can be brought to this the better.”

What would be the best way to spread the word, as quickly as possible, that a child is missing?

13-year-old Austin Large, who is autistic, is missing, according to the September 22nd New Durham Region. Austin and his father, Elias Large, were to return from a fishing trip on Monday. When they did not, Austin’s mother contacted police.

Police say they could be traveling in a white 1999 GMC Sierra extended truck with a large green tool box. The licence plate number is NE7 917.

Austin is described as white, 5′5″ tall, and weighing 160 pounds. He has a heavy build, brush cut, light brown hair and blue eyes.

The boy and his father were supposed to have spent the weekend fishing on Lake Nipissing but when they did not return home Monday as planned, Austin’s mother called police.

“They did not go to the lake,” said Hamilton Police Detective Sergeant Chris Kiriakopoulos.

“We are very concerned.”

According to Det. Sgt. Kiriakopoulos, Austin’s autism medication runs out tomorrow. He said that police are worried about the father’s mental state following the deterioration of his marriage to Austin’s mother.

Police have checked with the father’s family in Cambridge but have not found any leads as to the pair’s whereabouts.

An Amber Alert was issued and ended Monday night. Anyone who sees Austin or his father is asked to call 911.