By Anna Fleet
Sawyer’s mom, Nadine, knew early on that her son, Sawyer, experienced the world differently.
“He didn’t speak until almost three. He loved shadows, didn’t sleep well, and he’d run really close to objects to see them with his eyes,” she recalls. As a nurse, she had experience with autism—and her instincts told her to push for answers.
“I noticed signs early when he was about eight months old. He didn’t sleep, cried often, and his interests were different. But back then, people would say, ‘He’s your third child,’ or ‘He’s a boy—his siblings will talk for him.’ But something didn’t sit right. I’m so thankful I had a nursing background that helped me recognize the signs. I could advocate for him, and that’s something I’m really proud of—because he couldn’t advocate for himself.”
At 20 months old, Sawyer was diagnosed with severe autism.
“It was one of those moments that hits you hard. The doctor told me he was at the very end of the spectrum, a zero out of 100 in terms of functioning. But I remember thinking—okay, well, we can only go up from here.”
And they did.
The autism journey, Nadine explains, is full of both heartbreak and joy. “It’s lots of successes, which are so fun to celebrate. And lots of anxious moments that are scary and sad. But there’s so much worth celebrating.”
One of Sawyer’s biggest challenges is being a “runner.” When he’s triggered—by loud noises like fire alarms or balloons popping, or by someone crying—his instinct is to flee. And he won’t think about danger, traffic, or consequences. It’s terrifying for a parent.
That’s when Nadine discovered MedicAlert.
In 2018, MedicAlert partnered with Niagara Regional Police to launch a local initiative in Niagara focused on safety for people with autism.
“I went,” says Nadine, “and it was such a positive experience. Everyone was kind, helpful, and informative. We filled out a form and got Sawyer his first MedicAlert bracelet—it still fits him! And it was such a relief to know that not only could we include his autism diagnosis, but also that he had ADHD and that he’s a Flight Risk. That was my biggest fear at the time. Honestly, it still is.”
Sawyer’s MedicAlert ID serves as more than just a piece of jewelry—it’s a lifeline. It includes vital information that first responders can access instantly: medical conditions, allergies, medications, emergency contacts, and even his known triggers and de-escalation techniques.
“It was a game-changer. It gave me peace of mind,” she says. “Sawyer’s bracelet isn’t just jewelry. It speaks for him when he can’t. It gives others a chance to see him, to know that he’s not misbehaving—he’s trying to cope. And they can help him in a way that’s calm and supportive.”
Nadine believes the ID helps create more compassion in emergency situations—especially when there are no visible signs of a disability.
“Sawyer’s ID is visible. It says, ‘Hey, there’s more going on here.’ And in those chaotic moments, that makes all the difference.”
With family support, school accommodations, and an incredible group of friends (including his two loving sisters), Sawyer, now 17-years old, continues to grow. And Nadine, like any mom, celebrates every win.
Her message for Autism Awareness Month is simple—but powerful.
“Everyone on the spectrum is different. You’ll never meet two people who are the same. So be patient. Be kind. Don’t judge what you don’t understand. Let them be who they are—and come into their world.”
Are you a parent of a child with a chronic medical condition? Learn more about how MedicAlert can provide peace of mind, protection, and support at medicalert.ca/signup or call 1-800-668-1507 today.
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