William Callaghan, a 14-year-old autistic boy, went missing on Monday in the woods of Mount Disappointment in Victoria, Australia. Daily Mail reports that he had been enjoying a camping trip for the long weekend with his dad, Phil, and younger brother, Robin. The boy went missing after he suddenly took off, and was not found until two days later.
On Wednesday, he was finally found alive after a 450-person search around the vicinity of the mountain. The rescuers used the theme song from the popular kid's show, Thomas the Tank Engine to lure him out, since it was said to be the boy's favorite show.
Surprisingly, he survived through the harsh weather on the mountain top. His mother, Penny Callaghan, said it was fortunate that he stayed in the same area of the bush he went missing from, which made it easier for rescuers to locate him.
The autistic boy lost in Victoria spent two rough nights in a jagged bush at Mount Disappointment. He remains at the hospital and is being treated for a suspected broken food and an insect stuck in his ear.
The man who found William, Ben Gibbs, found the boy in a shred of bushes about 20 minutes away from the summit. The thankful family shows gratitude to Gibbs and says they wanted to rename the mountain after him.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
William has a condition called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention describes it as a developmental disability that causes serious social, behavioral, and communication disputes.
The learning, thinking, and problem-solving capabilities of individuals with ASD can range from gifted to markedly challenged. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives, while others can manage by themselves.
In the case of William, his parents have noted that he was non-verbal, and he did not understand what was going on around him most of the time. His parents believe he might not have even realized that he was in danger during the time he went missing.
William's parents say he loves food, and he does not shy away from it. After being rescued from the woods, he was said to enjoy his first meal of McDonald's, devouring piles of french fries.
According to his rescuer, Gibbs, he was elated to get his hands on the chocolate he was offered. Aside from food, his parents say he is also hooked on the children's television show, Thomas the Tank Engine. During the search, the rescuers played a soundtrack from the show to coax him out of the bushes.
What Connection Does Thomas the Tank Engine Have with Autistic Individuals?
Children with autism tend to be drawn to characters like Thomas the train. A survey conducted by the National Achievement Survey in April 2007 reveals that about 57 percent of children on the autism spectrum identify with Thomas before any other children's character. Additionally, the findings also found that autistic children maintain their association with Thomas longer than their normally developing siblings.
Although not scientifically validated, a blogger named J.L. Bell says the numbers from the survey indicate that autistic children are indeed drawn to the train character. Furthermore, Lisa Jo Rudy, a writer and consultant specializing in autism, says that autistic children most likely connect with Thomas since the trains typically fall, crash, and smash in the episodes. She says it is something that appeals to these kids.
Additionally, toy trains also line up exquisitely, something that autistic kids can relate with since they are fond of organizing and sequencing things and toys. According to experts, it could be soothing for them.
How the autistic boy lost in Victoria made it out alive through the woods in freezing weather conditions is something that truly amazes locals. Doctors have hypothesized that it was likely due to his fitness and resilience. Children with or without disabilities are genuinely amazing and could definitely surprise you, speculators say.
