For those of us who don’t wish to protect our children from the general public – or, depending on your point of view, to protect the public from our children – we have to be prepared for our children with autism getting lost.

Almost every parent has a story of losing a child in a mall, department store, amusement park or some other public place where people are spread out over a large area. Most typical younger children who are lost cry, someone asks the child’s name and then an announcement goes out for Johnny’s mother to pick up her son at customer service or something similar.

But what happens when the child doesn’t speak? What happens when he won’t talk to a stranger, or he’s old enough that he doesn’t appear to be a lost child? Some children with autism are real wanderers and are quite content on their own even if they really shouldn’t be.

There have been a few stories in the news lately of missing people who have autism. They are harder to find. Some are afraid of the strangers who are looking for them and hide. Some simply don’t know they are missing. They aren’t afraid, so no one who sees them realizes something is amiss, unless of course the missing person looks too young to be out alone.

Then there are the adults who have autism and get upset when things don’t go according to plan. Because they look “normal,” the police may be called in if there is a meltdown at a public place. And the police may think they are dealing with someone who is just being beligerant or is high on drugs.

So what’s the answer? There are education programs for many police and fire departments and other public service entities. That’s wonderful, though there are so many different issues with autism, it may still be hard for them to know if that is what they are dealing with.

I know some parents carry cards that explain autism. It appears these are more for the parents to hand out so they don’t have to spend all their time explaining autism to strangers, but maybe older children and adults with autism should carry them as well, or at least the ones who would be willing to give such a card to a police officer if he won’t or can’t talk.

I am not one who feels we should keep our children with autism home just because of the possibility of a meltdown. They’ll never learn to deal with public situations if they aren’t put in public situations. Besides, in David’s case that simply isn’t practical. He’s an adult.

David and I will be taking a trip to see Grandma and Grandpa soon. I bought David one of those passport wallets that travelers carry on a cord around their necks. The idea is that the ID, boarding pass, passport and itinerary are handy so you don’t have to constantly pull out your wallet at check-in, security and boarding your flight at the airport.

I’m considering including in his wallet a few cards with a short explanation of autism and my cell phone number in case we are separated at one of the airports. David would be willing to hand one over to gate personnel or security if he can’t make himself understood. Of course, I will make sure he has our itinerary, so anyone checking it would know what flight he should be on.

I am fortunate that David is a seasoned traveler and has an uncanny sense of direction. If we are separated, I am more likely to be the one who will need help. David can find his way around anywhere. He carries his own cell phone and would simply call me if he can’t find me. He also knows that it’s important we stay together at the airport or at least that we each know where the other is.

But I have to plan for the unexpected, and these days there seems to be zero tolerance at airports or on airplanes for someone who loses his cool. Maybe a little card would help.