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Dog tags for kids who can't remember?

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

I’m hoping someone has gone through this also. My daughter (dyslexia, APD), 7, cannot remember her phone number or address…no matter how many times we go over and over it. It really bugs me now that we live in a large city part of the week that she would have no idea how to call me if she needed to. I’ve been thinking of buying her a dog tag necklace with her name, address and my 3 phone numbers. Has anyone done this or have a different solution? Thanks for any suggestions!

Suzi

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 09/29/2003 - 3:17 AM

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I never did this, but it sounds like a good idea. Especially if you get a pretty chain and a tag with something decorative on one side or a border, so it’s jewelry as much as ID.

Submitted by des on Mon, 09/29/2003 - 4:37 AM

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I worked in a center for autistic adults where some of them could not really give their name and address. We had name tags on most of the folks there. We also worked on having them be able to show their tags if needed, I think this is an important step. So even though for you it is more a temporary thing I think it is a good idea.

—des

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 09/29/2003 - 12:43 PM

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Ask your local police dept. for ideas; I would be very cautious putting phone numbers and addresses on something that could get lost or seen by a stranger. Our school system forbids names, etc. on backpacks where they could get seen in public. Better spend the time teaching your child her address and phone number…ask if the school could work on it too.

Submitted by des on Mon, 09/29/2003 - 10:13 PM

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The idea of asking the police is a good one, but I think the reason that they don’t recommend putting names on backpacks, t-shirts, etc. is that if the kids are called their name and they forget they have it someplace like a backpack they might come to think that the person knows them, and might walk out willingly with them.

—des

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 10/02/2003 - 2:58 AM

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My daughter keeps a note card in her backpack, in one of the small pockets, with all the phone numbers she might need to reach me at work, on my cell phone etc. A 3x5 index card works well for this as it is sturdier than just a piece of paper. Or if you have access to a lamination machine you can laminate it. If laminated, you can also punch a hole in it and attatch it to the inside of a backpack as there are sometimes loops and such.

You have to be careful with younger kids and things around the neck that might get caught up in play equipment.

Another idea, for field trips or family trips to a busy crowded area, get some adhesive labels (large address label sheets) and print up a bunch with the essential information - and put one inside the shirt (with instructions to child to not remove it)

Kim

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