Experienced Autism Alliance

Florida’s new Spectrum Alert is an important step forward for autism safety.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Missing Persons and Offender Enforcement Division is launching (effective July 1, 2026) the Florida Spectrum Alert, established by Florida law in 2025, to help quickly mobilize the community when a child with autism is missing and believed to be in danger.

Wandering and elopement can happen quickly, silently, and without warning — and in Florida, where water is everywhere, the risk can become deadly in minutes. This is why faster alerts, community awareness, and immediate search response matter.
If a child on the spectrum is missing, search nearby water first — pools, ponds, lakes, canals, retention ponds, creeks, and any water source nearby. Every second matters. 💙

When issued, Spectrum Alert information will be distributed by Florida’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) to citizens who have signed up to receive the alerts and displayed on dynamic highway message signs when applicable. The alerts will also be posted on the FDLE’s public website and social media accounts.

Learn more about Florida’s new Spectrum Alert and sign up for alerts through FDLE. Link in the comments.

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