Ogle County’s special needs registry aids in preventing emergencies with autistic kids

ROCHELLE, Ill. (WTVO) — In 2021, Lisa Gaspki was one of the first parents to utilize Ogle County’s Special Needs Registry to register her daughter, Maddy, with the sheriff’s department.

“I’ve always had a fear of her wandering or, you know, they say autistic children are drawn to water. So I just felt like it was very important to get her registered in case anything like that were to occur,” Gaspki said.

The registry identifies residents with special needs, including contact information, with the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department.

“I don’t even remember how I heard about it. It might have been through school back then, but as soon as I saw it, I registered right away,” Gaspki said.

Amy Henkel, the assistant director of the Ogle County Educational Cooperative, which provides special education services across the county.

She said the registry has been crucial for improving public safety.

“People with disabilities may react in uncommon ways or ways that may not be familiar or seem potentially odd,” she said. “We want to give first responders the most specific information that we can in order for them to respond appropriately and safely. The sheriff or the first responder has something, a valuable tool in their pocket, so that they don’t overrespond or underrespond.”

Gapski said she is thankful that Maddy has stayed safe, but one phone call turned her into an activist for the registry.

“That was an officer that said, ‘Lisa, this is the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department. I have an officer that found a child that resembles Maddy. Is Maddy there with you?’ And she was right in my face. But I still my heart stopped and said, ‘Yes, she is here with me.’ And then I’m like, ‘Thank you so much for calling.’ And shared it with her school teacher, just as a heads up, to send a reminder out to parents, because I don’t think many people knew that that is something they can do for a special needs child.”