We have a small inflatable pool on our patio right outside the patio door, so I just ordered door chime alarms from Amazon. Not just for this issue, but also the front door and garage door. Anyone with small children should have these, but with autism it is really a neccessity. These kids are just so fast, within seconds they are out the door once they figure out how to unlock them. I am so grateful that my grandson's brain is working again, but it is a two edged sword because now he is figuring out all kinds of tricks to get out the doors.

To Bensmyson: I looked at your link. This bumper sticker could be printed out and taken to a place that makes custom bumper stickers. It is a message that people need to see: "Autism KILLS"

It's devastating.

I had a close call, too, when my son was 3. We were at a party at a friend's backyard with a pool. I was sitting on the edge of the shallow end while watching my son walk around the outside of the deep end. I turned my head for a few seconds, and when I turned back he wasn't there. He had fallen in. From where I was sitting, I couldn't see him because the surface of the pool is reflective. My older son, who was swimming in the deep end, found him and pulled him out. It made me realize that you need to be standing up to see below the surface. And it made me realize how easy it is for a child to drown.

More than once my son would jump in over his head and you could see him standing on the bottom. We would have to jump in and pull him up.

We also had to make sure he did not lay down where he thought a tractor, or truck, or car might run over him and he could feel the wheel.

Now that he is older and he has his liscense. I worry if he is lucky enough to get a job what about his commute - which will probably be rather long, and every day - which is what the transportation department always ask about when renewing his liscense because of seizures. They ask this every year - fall of the year.

Lots of ways for Autism to Kill.