MIRAMAR, Fla. — Hurricane season is right around the corner, and one South Florida city is already helping residents prepare -- especially families with autistic children.
When there’s a hurricane threat, everyone feels the stress. But for children and adults on the autism spectrum, emergencies like these can be especially difficult. A loud, crowded hurricane shelter can quickly become overwhelming.
“It can trigger them to experience a meltdown or may experience issues transitioning from one place to another, one activity to another,” Betsy Germain Evans said.
Betsy Germain Evans, an advocate for the neurodivergent community, has a daughter diagnosed with autism. Kathy Rodriguez is also raising a child on the spectrum.
Together, they created the “Ready, Set Backpack,” designed to help reduce stress during emergencies.
“This child loves the smell of lavender, so this plushie right here has a lavender smell,” one of the women said. “When he smells it, it’s something familiar and brings him comfort.”
The backpacks are customized for each child.
“It has everything in there -- all the essential items that that child would need in order for them to transition smoothly,” Evans said.
Each backpack is built using a sensory profile to determine what items are included.
“So say this child is in a space like a shelter and it’s overwhelming -- he can open up his tent and go into his tent. He can bring in his weighted teddy, a light bulb, things that make him feel more secure,” another advocate explained.
Miramar Commissioner Maxwell Chambers is spearheading a safety workshop to introduce the backpacks to the community.
“These young ladies come together after experiencing issues with their own children to give back free information to our community -- that’s a tremendous blessing,” Chambers said.
Evans says the goal is simple.
“The one thing we need them to know is we really truly value this tool, specifically because we know it solves a problem that we know is in our community,” she said.
Each “Ready, Set Backpack” is tailored to the individual but can include items like trackers, communication boards and noise-canceling headphones.
Kathy Rodriguez and Betsy Germain Evans will guide parents at a free emergency preparedness workshop on Monday, April 6, at the Miramar Commission Chambers. A representative from the National Hurricane Center will also be there to answer questions. The event runs from 2 to 4 p.m.
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla.
