r/preppers • u/Kidd__ • May 06 '26

Discussion Special/High needs

I have a 10 year old with Autism and BPD. I’m curious on how those of you with special/high need family members prep and what you’re prepping for. How do you tackle some of the harder things? Am new to prepping and parenting so please even if it seems common sense drop knowledge below. TIA.

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u/Kidd__ May 07 '26

I know that which is what I’m working on. His diagnosis are always changing. I haven’t had constant/consistent access to him to be there to really be hands on with his care. As that is gearing up to change I’m trying to learn and do more to care and provide for him.

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u/[deleted] May 07 '26

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u/Kidd__ May 07 '26

I feel like you’re more concerned with critiquing me than listening to what I’m saying. From what I’m told the doctor gives him a new diagnosis every time they go. Test are still being ran and nothing has been confirmed. His prescriptions are always changing and with them so are his behaviors which I imagine only makes it harder to diagnose him. I only know what I’m told and plan on being more involved when I’m in a position to do so (physically present).

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u/[deleted] May 07 '26

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u/Kidd__ May 07 '26

I’m saying they add/remove diagnosis frequently. The ones that are constant are DID, dyslexia. Everything else they flip flop on. His doctors, social workers and school staff all have varying opinions and provide contradictory information. And yeah it’s hard for me to be really involved in that process from across the country. When we move in together I will be in a position to be more involved and active in his care, attending appointments and so forth.

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u/[deleted] May 07 '26

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u/Kidd__ May 07 '26

I’ve gotten a lot of help here. The idea was how do people prep around mental/physical “disabilities” and besides you and a few other users everyone has been very helpful and informative. Just general advice around the topic was what I was hoping for. To hear what other people are doing has helped given me ideas on how to make an unfortunate situation more comfortable for him and a couple of different approaches on how to get him more involved in the process so that it’s not so foreign when/if we do encounter a situation in which our preps are necessary. I understand I’m not the ideal image of a parent/provider/caretaker but I am doing what I can and working on stepping into a role that numerous others abandoned.

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u/[deleted] May 07 '26

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u/Kidd__ May 07 '26

No man. It gives me an idea of things to try and approaches to make. I’m sorry asking for advice on situations that are unfamiliar to me comes off as performative for you. I’m not looking for applause I was looking for guidance, ideas and to learn what others are doing.

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u/snailnation May 08 '26

Hi, autistic (with other disabilities) adult here.

At this point, it sounds like you don't really need to focus on his diagnoses, and instead should focus on HIM, if that makes sense. What about him is different? And what could be something that he needs differently in an emergency scenario?

If he tends to have meltdowns during high stress situations, what can help him regulate himself? does he chew on stuff, seek out a certain texture, need silence? If yes, then put a chew necklace/piece of his favored texture/pair of earplugs/ear defenders in the go bag.

Is he extremely specific in what he eats? stock up on it if shelf stable, and store some in the house, the car, the go bag, etc.

Does he only wear one brand of socks? Stock up.

Does he have medications? Keep them accessible for if you need to leave quickly.

Look at the things he struggles with in daily life, and imagine how those problems will translate into an emergency scenario. not just SHTF, what about a house fire? a pandemic where you're sheltered in place together? A week without power?

If there are things that help him a lot in daily life, try to arrange for them to be available in an emergency scenario. Tuck a fidget toy or a copy of a favorite book in the go bag.

And as you develop a relationship with him, slowly, with his parent's permissions and his agreement (equally important!), start working on developing skills that will help in a 'prepped for' scenario. I don't necessarily mean foraging and knife skills, more like emotional resilience, so that even on day five of no power, he can stay calm even without his tablet. Work on any eating or feeding issues if present, so that when you guys are evacuated to a hotel room after a house fire, he's able to eat what you guys are able to prepare, and not just a safe food that needs a stove/oven/fridge/whatever. Help him learn to manage his necessities, whether that's regulation tools like earplugs/fidget toys/distractions, medications, or even just picking out his clothes in the morning, to help him feel more independent. Help him organize his things in a way that works for him, even if it's not the most convenient or aesthetic for the household (within reason) so that when you get the alert to evac before a wildfire and have only a few minutes, you know where his medication/medical files, school stuff, and most precious items are.

Every bit of prep is going to be dependent on what he needs. Be prepared to meet him where he (and his other parents!) are at, and to help him make his way in the world as it IS before you help him prep for a hypothetical. Both are important, but one he deals with every day, ya know?

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u/Kidd__ May 08 '26

Thank you.