Safety Plan for Individuals with Autism

Safety Plans are ways to help people stay safe. It helps them know where to get help in the event of an emergency. A safety plan can also be used when someone is having suicidal thoughts.

Below is an example of information that can be included in a safety plan. A safety plan should be individualized or specific to meet the needs of the person. It can be completed with words, images, or visuals. It should also be kept somewhere easy to find and reviewed often.

An autistic-friendly safety plan might have little text. It may not be based on having a support network or people in their lives as the main source of support. It may include things such as supportive pets, colors, intense interests, or objects autistic people may be emotionally attached to.

It is recommended that the completed safety plan be kept somewhere the individual can see and access easily. It may be helpful to upload a version of the safety plan into a cell phone or tablet. One important factor in helping individuals to use the plan successfully is to review it frequently and to role-play ways to say “no,” where to go to be safe, and telling others about what happened.

Suggestions of things to include in a safety plan:

• Things that help the person to feel calm (pets, colors, objects, interests, sounds, activities).
• Warning signs they may be feeling uncomfortable or in a bad mood.
• Things that make them uncomfortable.
• Places they can go to feel safe or calm.
• Phone numbers of friends, family, or trusted adults they feel comfortable talking to.
• Phone numbers for local crisis intervention: 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, and 911 for Emergencies.

You can download a sample safety plan below, or get creative and develop your own based on these guidelines.