This section has more details about Jonathan for those who are interested, or who want to get to know him better as they help us search for him.
What are Jonathan’s characteristics and special interests?
Jonathan main interests include walking, relaxing, and food & drink. Some of his favorites include Red Robin, Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden, Starbucks, coffee stands, root beer floats, banana shakes, lotus drinks, Italian sodas, and any kind of snack. He had a habit of saying, “I’m grateful for what I have,” when we’d ask him what he wanted for Christmas or birthdays &/or would ask to go out to eat.
Jonathan enjoys playing games on his iPad at home (all apps needed parental permission to download). He has a Perry the platypus pillow pet, likes Minecraft, Nintendo games like Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and Legend of Zelda.
Jonathan also likes “researching” online via YouTube (but has no YouTube account). He has an interest in cryptids (animals whose existence is debated or unproven by science, like Bigfoot) and modern folklore (like Krampus and Slender Man).
Jonathan doesn’t like loud noises, but is not super-reactive: he isolates instead. He likes cozy, quiet, and peaceful places, like his bedroom. When Jonathan gets anxious, he paces or goes for a walk.
Jonathan prefers the company of adults to children or his peers. For this reason, his social circle was very small: he interacted only with his immediate and extended family, teachers and school staff, students in his transitions program, and neighbors. While encouraged to have friends and relationships outside of this, Jonathan is quiet and does not often initiate conversation with people he doesn’t know well.
Jonathan is respectful, trusting, and views all adults as figures of authority. He would often ask for permission for things (e.g. to go on a walk at home, to get a drink of water at school).
Jonathan had a habit of taking daily walks. He stayed within his immediate neighborhood where he was familiar and comfortable. He didn’t deviate from his route (from home to the school bus stop and back) and would even cross the road in the same places and in the same manner each time.
Jonathan is respectful of others’ property and he never leaves the road.
For books, Jonathan enjoys Captain Underpants, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Last Kids on Earth.
He likes silliness (think middle school humor) and loves his family dog, a Yorkie named Lady (he liked to say “I think Lady needs some attention” when she was whining or ringing her bell at the front door).
What games did Jonathan play/gaming consoles did he use?
Recently, Jonathan only uses his iPad to play games. All apps needed parental permission to download and the iPad is currently in lost mode. He has a Nintendo Switch, but it hadn’t been used in months. Jonathan also likes “researching” online via YouTube (but has no YouTube account).
While many individuals with autism will take tablets or gaming consoles outside of their home to self-regulate, Jonathan never did unless he was going on a long plane or car ride.
Jonathan did not have Discord or Roblox. Jonathan also did not learn how to communicate via text/messaging until his high school transitions program began working with him on this skill in the couple months prior to his disappearance.
What does Jonathan need help to do?
Jonathan does not drive, have a bus pass, or know how to take public transportation alone. He does not know how to use money or read a map effectively. He needs help with his daily medications, and while he can heat up food that is already prepared in the fridge and help himself to the pantry, Jonathan did not make meals at home without assistance (except for Jonathan’s infamous sandwich creations – recipe is whatever you find in the back of your fridge, condiments included, slapped on bread).
Jonathan was working in his transitions program on communicating over text and email in the two months prior to his disappearance as he would be losing his school email when he graduated from high school transitions. His teacher shared with us that Jonathan did not have the executive functioning to create a personal email account without assistance (school staff helped him).
Jonathan sent his first text message with words to his older sister only two weeks prior to his disappearance; this was an emerging skill.
While Jonathan is verbal and can have a conversation, he is unlikely to self-advocate, seek help, or put himself in a visible space for searchers. Jonathan will respond to his name and knows the name of his family members.
Jonathan presents as a 21-year-old in passing or in photos and video, and is capable of many things, such as taking walks in the neighborhood without assistance. When you engage Jonathan in conversation, his disability becomes apparent.
Jonathan struggles with problem-solving and tends to shut down when presented with a stressful situation or problem he doesn’t know how to address.
Jonathan’s parents acquired emergency guardianship of Jonathan as his needs and cognitive ability ensure he will never live without some level of assistance.
Jonathan’s family offered him the opportunity to move away from home to live in settings where he could be offered varying levels of independence while still living with assistance, but Jonathan insisted that he wanted to continue living at home with his parents. Jonathan’s parents were happy to have him stay. His older sister will continue to ensure he’s cared for if/when the time comes.
What are some physical traits and mannerisms for searchers?
Jonathan has a large mole on his right inner forearm and two moles on the left side of his face.
He walks with a distinctive gait (but this is more easily identified by those who know him). Sometimes, Jonathan will walk with his hands held behind his back, or he will have them straight forward with bent arms and clenched fists.
Stims: When anxious, he often rocks or paces. With high anxiety or stress, his movements can become stiff as he paces. Occasionally he has a vocal stim that sounds a bit like “hmm.”
In the past, before Jonathan was medicated, he would sometimes hit his head repeatedly with an open palm when frustrated.
Jonathan often sits with his shoulders hunched forward.
Prior to his disappearance, he loved wearing his jacket. It’s like a security blanket for him and he puts his hood up.
He might appear homeless, disoriented, or like he has mental illness. Occasionally, Jonathan will talk to himself.
What are some of Jonathan’s verbal mannerisms?
Occasionally he has a vocal stim that sounds a bit like “hmm.”
While unlikely to self-advocate and articulate that he is lost or needs help, he would ask for food, water, and to use a restroom.
Catch Phrases: Jonathan often uses the same phrases daily in response to similar situations occurring:
- When asked a question:
- “I don’t remember right now.”
- “My memory isn’t very good/I don’t remember things very well.”
- “I am not sure. Let me ask my mom/parents.”
- When offered food or something else that he doesn’t particularly want:
- “I’m grateful for what I have.”
- When wanting to avoid something, whether it be a conversation, an errand, or something else:
- “Can I go now?”
- “Can I be done now?”
- When he sees someone is not eating something and he wants it:
- “Are you going to eat that?”
- “Can I have that?”
Where might Jonathan go (in public)?
Generally, shelter, food and restaurants, coffee shops and stands, cozy spaces/places, churches, and restrooms are places he might seek out. When canvassing businesses or residences, ask if a young man matching his description has asked for food or to use the restroom.
While verbal and able to respond to his name and have a conversation, he may not have the skills to seek help and he struggles with problem-solving. He is more likely to shut down when faced with a stressful or confusing situation, rather than seeking out help. Though Jonathan is unlikely to know to ask someone for help getting home, he may ask for food, water, and to use a restroom.
Jonathan likes calm and quiet, and he likes clean. It’s unlikely that he would venture off of pavement (on his daily walks in the neighborhood he was very respectful of private property), or go onto a beach given the sand, mud, and water. He would likely be drawn to well-kept and quiet areas like residential areas, or wide and clear trails, sidewalks, and walking paths.
He loves food & drink and could approach restaurants, gas stations, food trucks, etc. In particular he’s fond of Red Robin, Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden, Starbucks, coffee stands, root beer floats, banana shakes, lotus drinks, Italian sodas, snacks of any kind.
Would Jonathan ask for help?
Jonathan is verbal but unlikely to self-advocate. He does not remember details like addresses or phone numbers. He does not have skills or knowledge for what to do if lost, so he is unlikely to put himself in a visible space for searchers. When anxious or overwhelmed, he tends to shut down, so it is unlikely he would tell someone he is lost and ask for help. However, for basic needs like using a restroom or saying he is hungry, he would likely ask for help.
If approached, Jonathan will likely come if you call for him by name, and he would want or appreciate a jacket with a hood (even in warm weather).