Schumer Calls for Voluntary Tracking of Kids With Autism

New York Sen. Charles Schumer today called on the Justic Department to develop a program that would allow for voluntary tracking of children with autism or other developmental disorders.

Devices could be worn as wristwatches, anklets, or clipped onto belt loops or onto shoelaces, Schumer said in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder.

Schumer's request comes one month after 14-year-old Avonte Oquendo (left) disappeared from his Queens, New York school. The teen, who suffers from autism and does not speak, was seen on surveillance cameras leaving his school on Oct. 4. New York authorities have mounted an extensive campaign to find him, but he remains missing. Those with information about Avonte should call 1-800-577-TIPS, while anyone who spots him should call 911 immediately.

?wmode=transparent"The sights and sounds of NYC and other busy places can be over-stimulating and distracting for children and teens with Autism, often leading to wandering as a way to escape. Voluntary tracking devices will help our teachers and parents in the event that the child runs away and, God forbid, goes missing," Schumer said in a statement. "DOJ already funds these devices for individuals with Alzheimer's and they should do the same for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Funding this program will help put school systems and parents of children and teens with Autism at ease knowing where their children are."

In related news, AT&T announced today that it will sell the Amber Alert GPS, a 3G device that kids can carry in their pockets or backpacks and features two-way calling and among other features.

Speed alerts, for example, will tell parents if a child's car is going too fast, while a "breadcrumbing" feature will send parents details about their kids' location based on a pre-set schedule. Parents can create "zones" around their homes that will alert them if a child goes beyond a zone, while an SOS button will call a parent and tell them their kid's location.

The device is $199, but buyers can get it for free if they sign a three-year service agreement, save $40 if they extend a contract for two years, or pre-pay and save $20. It comes in green, pink, blue, and black; see the video below for more.

Last month, AT&T signed on as the exclusive U.S. network provider of the Filip wearable wrist device. The kid-friendly, parent-approved bracelet keeps the lines of communication open at all times with location tracking, voice calling, and direct messaging.