Autistic nine-year-old named TIME Kid of the Year for emergency kits

Nine-year-old Ledger Mann, who is autistic, was named TIME’s 2026 Kid of the Year for helping first responders better support children with autism during emergencies. After his father, a police sergeant, helped find a missing autistic child, Ledger proposed clear backpacks stocked with sensory-friendly items and communication tools so children could see and choose what might help them feel safe. He used $100 from his piggy bank to make the first bags, and the LGM program has since distributed more than 432 across several states. The initiative is intended to ease distress and improve communication between children and emergency responders.