GPS for autistic boys during school

MERRICK, N.Y. (AP) — The Long Island parents of two autistic boys have outfitted their sons with GPS tracking devices to wear at school in case they run away.

Brian and Dayann McDonough say their sons have wandered from home and school repeatedly. The Merrick parents initially were met with resistance from school officials who were concerned about how the GPS devices would affect other students' privacy.

North Merrick school officials now say they're allowing the use of the devices as long as there's no audio element that could jeopardize confidentiality to special education students.

The devices can send a text and email notification of a location change.