Autism, wandering elopement

Does your child wander or elope from safe environments? If so, you aren’t alone. Many children with autism spectrum disorders or other developmental differences are prone to wandering.

A common issue: Research tells us that 49% of families report their children with autism spectrum disorders wander or elope from safe environments. Of those who wander, researchers found 26% were missing long enough to cause concern. Of those who went missing, 24% were found to be at risk of drowning and 65% were at risk of a traffic injury.

Why children wander: Families report their children wander because they enjoy exploring and head toward preferred places such as water. Kids also tend to be playful and happy when they wander, increasing their urge to elope from familiar surroundings.

Keeping your child safe

We’re here to help you and your family take steps to prevent your child from wandering and to keep them as safe as possible. You can do this by:

• Ensuring your child’s doctors, teachers, therapists, neighbors and caregivers are aware of the issue
• Teaching your child safety skills appropriate for their developmental level and learning style. Children with developmental differences often learn best through what they see rather than what they hear. Consult these resources for more:
  • The National Autism Association provides information and tools through The Big Red Safety Box.
  • Autism Speaks offers personalized social stories on common safety concerns, including wandering and elopement. You may find this an appropriate option depending on your child’s language development.
• Partnering with educators and therapists to promote skills your child should know, including how to ask for help – with and without words – plus how to communicate their name, address and important phone numbers.
• Speaking with local law enforcement and emergency personnel about the tendency of your child to wander and what they should do if they see them alone. You can register your child with Smart911, which provides first responders important information that can help them in case of an emergency. Check to see if your community participates in this program. You and your child should also meet law enforcement and feel comfortable asking them for help, with or without words.
• Enrolling your child in swimming classes for kids with developmental differences. Your child should also learn how to swim while clothed.

Ordering a safety backpack

We're dedicated to helping families of children with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental differences who experience wandering and elopement.

That’s why we offer a safety backpack* that you can order for your child. These backpacks are designed to promote conversations and ideas about staying safe and preventing injuries in more visual ways.

For more information about safety backpacks, email ACH-Injury-Prevention@advocatehealth.com.

*One safety backpack per household. Backpacks are made available from the support of leadership at Advocate Children’s Hospital, the Pediatric Development Center at Illinois Masonic Medical Center and Safe Kids Chicago.

Additional resources

For more information on ways to keep your child safe, visit our Children's Health Resource Centers, the National Autism Association and Autism Speaks.

If you are interested in learning more about injury prevention for children with developmental differences or questions about this growing program, email ACH-Injury-Prevention@advocatehealth.com.