AngelSense GPS Tracker Helps you Keep up with the Kids #Review
AngelSense GPS tracker and voice monitor is a wearable device that is aimed at keeping kids with special needs safe. This device allows parents and caregivers to find out where their child is located, when they are being transported, and it also allows them to listen in to their surroundings with the push of a button.
AngelSense is a Powered by Mom Holiday Gift Guide pick. Check out our Gift Guide HERE.
Read on to find out how team member Amanda liked the AngelSense GPS tracker.
If you are a parent of a special needs kid, AngelSense is an incredible tool that helps families and caregivers worry less.
My youngest son, J, is on the autism spectrum. Both my husband and I started having concerns when he was about 2 years old because he had a speech delay. Although he did say, Mom and Dad, that was about it. When he was a baby, as we did with our other children, we started to teach him sign language. I’m glad that we did because it was (and still is) a great way for us to communicate with each other. Luckily, through sign language, he can give us a general idea of what he needs. Even with the signing, communicating is a huge challenge for him.
If you have or care for a child who is non-verbal, you know of all the fears that come right along with it. Guessing, wondering, and worrying took over my life. Communicating with him has been a very challenging road to travel. It has brought me to tears more than once because I’ve felt so helpless. Not being able to know… What’s the matter? Or to find out how his day went. For a parent, this is equal to being tortured.
Another symptom of being on the autism spectrum is that he elopes. If you aren’t familiar with that term, it is when a child runs away while displaying zero regards to dangers around them, ie; being hit by a car.
Eloping is terrifying. J thinks that running away is a game, even when we are in a parking lot or near water. Now that he is 4.5 years old, he has started running faster. He’s also very clever about picking the perfect opportunity to bolt. As of today, he has not been injured or been able to escape. Regardless, these bolting episodes are one of the most difficult events I’ve faced as a parent.
This has made taking J outside of our home very scary. We have learned to look at the warning signs. One of the biggest ones I see is that he stops and looks around carefully for an opportunity to sneak away. As soon as he thinks he can make a getaway, off he goes. Just like a rocket.
I’ve had nightmares about all of the WHAT IF’S! From J being non-verbal to bolting…. it is very overwhelming.
So, when I found out about AngelSense, I was interested in looking into this wearable GPS device.
My Thoughts on AngelSense
When AngelSense first arrived, it did take a bit for me to figure out. After all, it is a new tool, and it did require me to do some research, take a guided tour, and adjust settings. But… the good news is that there is so much useful information and tools inside of the AngelSense app. It makes the app and device user-friendly.
The AngelSense device I reviewed is a small cell phone that is held within an enclosed case. There is a black sleeve that you slip the device into which allows you to pin the device to clothes, or even a backpack.
After the device was fully charged, I used the magnetic buttons to pin the device inside of my son’s pants pocket. He did not seem to mind at all.
Here is what it looks like when J is wearing the device.
Once J got moving and we made our way to play therapy, I received a notice on the app that he had left home. With each movement he made, there was a new entry in the AngelSense app dashboard. With each location we visited, it gave me the option to give it a name in case it was a location I would like to identify. After running around for a bit, here is what the AngelSense app showed.
It keeps track of each days movements. When you push on the entry, it gives you a view of a map which includes the route in which the device is traveling. It even gives you the max MPH reached during transport.
AngelSense dash also shows the connection to the device, as well as how long it has been since communicating with the GPS device. The runner mode can be turned on with the push of a button.
The runner mode can be turned on with the push of a button. This feature can be used when elopement takes place. The device updates the location of your child every 10 seconds.
Another feature that is one of my favorites, is the listening in feature. Push the phone symbol on the dashboard and the app prompts a phone call to the device. This feature is fantastic because it lets parents and caregivers listen in to their child’s surroundings when they are apart. It has helped ease my worries when my son is in someone else’s care.
There are several different settings on the dashboard that can be adjusted to fit your needs, including reminders to charge the device.
AngelSense Tips
- Follow the directions given on the AngelSense app. Taking the guided tour helped me learn the ins and outs. There are also a series of AngelSense Videos that are full of information and tips.
- Join the AngelSense Facebook group for support and answers to your questions.
- If it is uncomfortable for your child to use the device, there are some really helpful tips in the Facebook group mentioned above. I read some tips that include using a fanny pack and sewing a pocket onto clothes. There should also be more wearable options coming out from AngelSense soon.
- Some users have received pushback from their schools, citing privacy concerns. Out of all the information, I have gathered, there are two things you should do to allow your special needs child to wear the AngelSense device during school. First, get a prescription from your child’s doctor. That makes it a medical necessity. Second, to clarify the privacy rule to school staff and administration, you can supply them with this article, Courts Clarify Privacy in the Classroom.
Overall, I love this device. It has given me peace of mind when I worry the most. I can listen in to J’s surroundings at any time to make sure he’s being well cared for. I’m also able to locate him with a few clicks.
Visit the AngelSense website for more information.
AngelSense is recommended as part of the Powered-by-Mom Gift Guide! Give the gift of security this holiday season!
We have lots of yummy recipes like these Thai Sweet Chili Green Beans on Powered by Mom. Go HERE to check them out.
Karen Propes says
This is a wonderful product. I don’t understand the privacy concerns, especially with a special needs child. It’s your child and if you called and wanted to know where he was or to check on him they would do it. With everything going on, more should be using it. But I think it’s great. Thanks for your review.
Sandy Klocinski says
Sounds like an awesome gadget! Excellent idea. Not sure that pinning it inside a kid’s pants pocket would keep a resourceful kid from getting it out and either losing or breaking it though.
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
This sounds like an amazing product!! I think this would give so much more peace of mind! I absolutely think this would be great for kids with special needs. I also think this might be good for any little one that is away from home like walking home from school or in a very crowded space (like Disney) if its accurate and specific enough. You just never know what could happen these days and this could make a world of difference if a little one gets lost.
Rosie says
I have a relative who has a special needs adult, and she has been grappling with her propensity to take off, as you note, to them it is a game of sorts, they don’t understand. This is a good concept, I’m going to tell her about this.
Amber Ludwig says
Seems super neat!! I wonder if they can make the sensor smaller though!? I picture my kid messing with it or what if they don’t have pants with pockets that day!?
Calvin F. says
Cool gadget to keep track of them
Michelle Finkley says
We have this gps tracker. It’s the best one we’ve found that our 16 year old with autism didn’t destroy! He started to leave the house by himself without telling anyone. We lost him for 2 hours last year when he decided to go for a walk. We found him more than 3 miles away next to a canal, just sitting there watching the water.
ellen beck says
This is not only great for kids but also adults who have difficulty. Kids are Quick and I can see using something like this bring peace of mind. Sounds like a terrific product.
Rita Leonard says
wonderful product for families who need it