Autism advocate Sheletta Brundidge , known as Minnesota’s Autism Mom, is traveling to Texas over the Fourth of July holiday weekend to launch her “Spread Love With Locks” campaign in Texas.
The mother of three children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Brundidge, a Texas native, will meet with parents of children with autism and give them a tool to add a layer of protection to keep their children safe.
Brundidge is using her position as a social media influencer to encourage her Minnesota followers to purchase keyless electronic interior combination door locks to donate to Texas families. Brundidge purchased 50 of the locks and her followers have donated another 50.
Her “Spread Love With Locks” effort was sparked by the drowning death of 12-year-old Aisha Adebayo. The nonverbal child with autism wandered from her home near Houston June 26; following a massive search, her body was found in a lake June 27.
“As a mother, my heart breaks for that child’s family. I know first-hand that keeping kids with autism safe is no easy task,” explained Brundidge.
Even more than other children, children on the spectrum are known to wander or even bolt from a safe place to follow something that grabs their attention. They have a tendency to run from a situation they find stressful or frightening, like loud noises or bright lights. They are also often attracted to water.
“As parents, we go to great lengths to keep our children safe; I have gates, fences, alarms and chirps on the doors as well as these interior locks,” Brundidge added. “Even so, I know we are just one blink away from one of our children going missing.”
On July 6 Brundidge will be at the M.D. Anderson branch of the YMCA of Greater Houston to distribute the donated locks that she finds particularly effective.
One of the locks was purchased by Amy Fields, a Minnesota mother who herself suffered the loss of her 10-year old daughter with autism.
”If I can save another mother the nightmare I have to live through day by day, I am happy to do so,” Fields said when making her donation.
“These locks cost between $25 and $40 and that can put them out of reach for some families. We want everyone to know about them and have them available. They save lives!” Brundidge said.
In June, Brundidge spearheaded a similar donation drive for keyless electronic interior combination door locks in Hopkins . That followed the death of Waeys Mohamed, a four-year-old boy with autism who also wandered from his home and drowned .
“People say, teach them to swim, but it’s not easy with children who are non-verbal and can’t follow directions,” Brundidge said. “I understand what other parents with kids on the spectrum go through. I have days when I can’t bring my groceries into the house or even close the door when I’m in the bathroom.”
A longtime advocate for families with children with autism, Brundidge is an award-winning broadcaster, business owner, and author. She hosts the “Taking Authority over Autism” podcast. Her business ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com sponsored Minnesota’s first Job Fair for Adults with Autism. She’s written a series of best-selling picture books featuring her children as lead characters.
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