Organizational Spotlight: The National Autism Association

Imagine a family taking a quiet walk to the park with their autistic child. There’s a quick transition between activities and a single moment when a parent or caregiver’s eyes are elsewhere, whether due to a sibling needing help or another distraction out in the world. For families of children with autism, these everyday scenarios escalate into emergencies in an instant, all too easily. Wandering, also known as elopement, happens suddenly, and the fear that follows is overwhelming. This is why tools like the National Autism Association’s (NAA) safety resources are so critical. Their kits give caregivers a way to prepare before a crisis unfolds and can mean the difference between uncertainty and a safe return.

“The National Autism Association’s safety resources are absolutely essential for safeguarding vulnerable individuals. They do amazing work, and we are proud to shine a spotlight on all that they have done and continue to do. They give families the proactive tools they need to keep their children safe and bring them home quickly. There’s no greater gift you can give a parent, caregiver, or even teacher than this kind of peace of mind," said Detective Chuck Still (Ret.), Founder.

This is why organizations like the NAA are indispensable lifelines for families with vulnerable children. At My Family ID, we are proud to endorse organizations dedicated to keeping our most vulnerable loved ones safe. So, today, we are shining a spotlight on the National Autism Association. Learn about this organization and its incredible work!

Who Does the National Autism Association Serve?

The National Autism Association is dedicated to meeting the urgent, real-world needs of the autism community, especially those facing crisis scenarios like wandering, communication challenges, and delayed intervention. NAA supports the groups:

• Families and Caregivers seeking tools to safeguard loved ones who may wander, especially children and individuals with severe or regressive autism.

• Educators, School Staff, and PTA Boards, to whom they provide free toolkits to help prevent and respond to elopement in school environments.

• First Responders and Professionals, to whom they provide easy access free training and toolkits to better support individuals in crisis or empower crisis prevention.

• Individuals Who Are Nonverbal or Unreliably Speaking, supported through programs that enable access to communication tools.

As a parent-led, nonprofit organization founded in 2003, NAA reaches a wide range of individuals and groups with free, life-saving programs designed to offer real help and hope. Here’s an idea of the National Autism Association’s impact by the numbers:

• 60,000+ families have received NAA’s tangible safety resources.

• Over 1,000 professionals and first responders are trained each year through free webinars and educational initiatives.

• More than 2,000 schools nationwide have benefited from free safety toolkits tailored for preventing wandering incidents in educational settings.

Related Article: The ID App for Non-Verbal Autism

What Does the National Autism Association Do?

Founded in 2003 by parents, the National Autism Association is a leading voice on autism safety and crisis prevention. Their mission, as listed on their site, is “to respond to the most urgent needs of the autism community, providing real help and hope so that all affected can reach their full potential” through six key areas:

• Advocacy for federal policy and resources that address the most urgent needs of the autism community. 

• Research that uncovers and addresses the most critical challenges families and individuals face. 

• Education, training, and free webinars for families, first responders, and service providers nationwide that address a wide range of topics.

• Direct tools for families and schools in all 50 states. 

• Thoughtful awareness that promotes understanding, compassion, and respect for all individuals with autism.

• Hope, inspiration, and empowerment through positive messaging, story-sharing, and support. 

Powered by a parent-led board and volunteers, NAA focuses on urgent concerns such as wandering, drowning risks, and crisis response. Their core programs include:

• Big Red Safety Box® – A free, tangible toolkit delivered to families, equipping them with door alarms, a child safety kit, ID tags, first-responder forms, and more.

• Big Red Safety Teacher Toolkit® – Distributed to schools to support educators in preparing for and preventing wandering incidents.

• Autism ATRIUM Webinars & Resources – Offers free, expert-led education and training for caregivers, teachers, first responders, and clinicians.

Every member of this organization shares an unrelenting commitment to providing resources and support to create a safer world for autistic individuals nationwide. They never stop advocating for this vulnerable population, as evidenced by co-founder Lori McIlwain’s appearance on the National Council on Severe Autism’s Podcast, Autism Confidential. Watch her appearance below to witness her palpable passion first-hand.

Why We Are Proud to Endorse the National Autism Association

The National Autism Association and My Family ID share a core belief: safety must be proactive, not reactive. Families with autistic children face unique challenges when it comes to wandering and emergency interactions. 

NAA’s Big Red Safety Box® equips families with tangible prevention resources, while My Family ID’s Digital Autism ID Card gives caregivers a secure, instantly accessible way to communicate critical details about their child’s needs, triggers, and emergency contacts. 

These resources work in tandem to provide families with peace of mind, ensuring first responders, educators, and community members have the information they need when every second counts to ensure a safe and speedy return to safety.

“Every family deserves practical tools that safeguard their most vulnerable loved ones. That’s exactly what this organization provides – lifesaving resources. NAA's pioneering work, from distributing Big Red Safety Boxes to training first responders, empowers families and caregivers with essential actionable, ready-to-use identification tools that make all the difference when every second counts," said Still.

Together, we stand for proactive protection—not just awareness.

Related Article: Digital Autism ID Card | How to Keep an Autistic Child Safe

Partner with My Family ID to Join a Community that Prioritizes Safety, Readiness, and Family

First and foremost, we strongly encourage you to donate to support the amazing work that this group is doing, become a partner to further their cause, and visit their website for more information about the incredible resources they offer. 

Whether you're a caregiver, family, nonprofit organization, or school leader, partnering with My Family ID is essential to ensuring the safety of our country’s most vulnerable populations. The National Autism Association provides the tools to prevent wandering incidents, while My Family ID offers a fast, accurate way to identify missing loved ones. When used in conjunction with such incredible organizations, no family stands alone.

Partner with My Family ID today to join us in our mission of keeping our most vulnerable loved ones safe and providing everyone with greater peace of mind.