Does Your Child Have an Emergency Preparedness Plan at School?

Ensuring that your child with (and without, for that matter) a disability is as prepared as they can be for a school emergency, is essential. When the horrific school shooting happened in Parkland, I was in the gallery of the Florida Capitol for Developmental Disabilities Day. I can recall so vividly a friend showing me his phone and saying, “Look what’s happening at home.” The next thing I knew the entire House of Representatives was calling for a moment of silence as many prayed for the safety of the children at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Since that time, there have sadly been other school shootings, and school districts across the US have been scrambling to develop stringent safety precautions.

On some IEPs there’s a section that says something to the effect, “Does this student require an emergency evacuation plan?” If your school district incorporates that into their IEPs, be sure to give careful attention to it if something special is required for your child. If your IEP does not include this section, you should still have a conversation with the school about how emergency lockdowns and evacuations will be handled with your child in mind.

Drills Are Nothing New, But New Processes Are

When we were in school, we had fire drills, tornado drills, and for some of us who are grandparents, we might remember the “duck and cover” drills during the Cold War. These days, the focus is on school shootings and the need to keep all kids safe whenever there is anyone on campus who is seeking to cause harm to kids and adults.

In case you are not aware of the standard practice of lockdown drills, generally called, Code Red Drills, here’s what they look like:

1. Lockdown signal is given via PA speakers (which can be very loud)

2.    If it were a real emergency, office staff may call 911 and then call or email the School Board Office. They will provide information about the lockdown to be updated on the school website.

3.    Staff/Students go directly to their respective classrooms. Students who are outside immediately return to the school building.  

4.    Administrators and/or assigned staff – check that all exterior doors and entrances are locked and secure. Teachers who are not assigned to a class at the time, therapists, and school staff go to nearest classroom or office

5.    Teachers/Staff secure classrooms:

–      move children to a space of the classroom that is not visible from the door

–      close windows and blinds

–      shut the lights

–      lock the door

–      cover all windows (even the one in the door)

–      take and submit attendance 

–      record any additional staff/students that are in the room

6.    No doors are opened (no bathroom/drinks). 

7.    Monitor entrance and allow only AUTHORIZED personnel into building through this point

Now, imagine your child during this type of event – even if it’s just a monthly drill. Can they handle the noise of the bell? Are they able to get into position along with every other student in their class and remain silent? Will they be able to wait it out until the all-clear is given? If not, ask your school what the emergency plan is for your child during both drills, and true emergency events.

How Parents Can Help

There are ways that parents can help their child deal with monthly drills. The drills are going to take place, and for good reason, but if your child can’t manage a drill, imagine how frightened they will be if it was an actual emergency.

• Ensure that your child is part of the drills. There are some schools who try to make it easier on students who have noise sensitivities by having them out of the building when the alarm goes off. This will not help them when an emergency occurs.
• Establish a buddy system so that your child has a predetermined comforting peer with them and include a backup buddy.
• If your child needs a plan written especially for them, ask that the team create one.
• Ensure that your child has access to their communication system.
• For kids who are hearing sensitive, have a pair of noise cancelling headphones in the classroom.
• To prepare in advance, ask that social stories are developed and read consistently so that your child knows what to expect. Using photos of your child and his/her teacher would be best.
• Have visuals prepared in advance that can act as nonverbal means of communication during the actual drill. Incorporate calming strategies within them.
• Have a designated seat/chair/station (taped square on the floor) where your child is expected to sit or stand for the drill or emergency event.
• Have a sensory kit or box in the room that has calming or comforting items in it.
• PRACTICE – Some kids might need more practice than those without disabilities. Plus, an emergency situation could happen just as easily if your child is in lunch, as in their classroom.
• If your child takes medications, ask the school how they will receive their medication if the school is in lockdown.
• If your child uses a wheelchair, ask the school what plan is put in place for them to get out of the building safely, if this is a course that’s needed.

I am a person who likes to have backup plans to my backup plans. It’s important to remember that you’re not always going to be with your child when something happens that could be dangerous to them. The best course of action is to ensure that careful consideration is given to their safety while they’re at school and encouraging the whole team to think about how your child responds to certain stimuli in a totally different way that many other kids. Having this plan designated in their IEP, or in a separate Emergency Plan document, is the first step to ensuring they’ll be as safe as they possibly can.

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