Since the beginning of this year, we know of at least 10 children with autism who have died as a result of a wandering incident. This month alone, thirteen individuals have been reported missing.
Preliminary data from a study conducted by the Interactive Autism Network show that roughly half of children with autism attempt to elope, a rate nearly four times higher than their unaffected siblings. Fifty-seven percent of parents report that wandering is among the most stressful of all behaviors associated with autism; it can have a dramatic effect on quality of life for the entire family.
The National Autism Association has been addressing the issue of wandering since 2008. Over the last three years, they have spearheaded the development of information and resources for families and professionals in the autism community.
There are two key elements to keep your loved one safe: Prevention and Response Preparedness. This article will address one of twelve wandering tips from NAA’s new Autism Safety Website.
- Ask yourself what type of wandering best describes your child/adult (goal-directed, non goal-directed, random, sudden runner, etc.)
- Acknowledge what triggers may make your child/adult wander off or leave quickly.
- Implement strategies at home to avoid known triggers. Work on calming methods to help your child/adult cope with the triggers and provide other ways to handle the trigger besides running, etc.
- Address known triggers within your child’s IEP (individualized education program), and advocate for de-escalation (calming) techniques.
- Understand if your child/adult has a goal (Are they trying to get to water? Train tracks? Nearby merry-go-round?)
- Address known goals; allow supplemental objects within safe environment; allow child to explore obsessions under safe supervision in safe environment (for example, if your child’s goal is to get to water, offer a set time for water play each day in your home under close adult supervision).
- Understand if your child/adult is trying to get away from something (Is there too much noise? Is there too much commotion? Is there boredom?) so that it may be addressed.
- Understand if your child/adult tends to wander during the night, CLICK HERE for tips on how to avoid nighttime wandering.
- Obtain relevant social stories and go through them with your child.
- Document fascinations and share with first-responders, school, relatives, and friends; communicate with your child and all of those involved with your child’s daily activities.
- For more tips, information and resources, please visit http://autismsafety.org and http://www.awaare.org.
In 2008, the National Autism Association released its first article addressing the lack of Emergency Alert System Coverage for minors with developmental disabilities through Federal AMBER Alert guidelines & State Silver Alert guidelines.
In 2009, NAA launched its FOUND Program, which provides funding to law enforcement agencies for personal location device programs.
In April and October of 2010, NAA brought the ASD wandering issue before the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), requesting urgent action be taken to combat wandering-related incidents in the ASD community. The group asked for data collection, federally-backed educational materials, parent outreach, assistance in obtaining AMBER Alert coverage for minors with autism, an ICD-9 medical diagnostic code dedicated to wandering, first-responder training, mandatory parental notification of wandering incidents in schools, and urgent federal support. The group also urged IACC to form a subcommittee dedicated solely to ASD safety issues.
The organization’s mission is to respond to the most urgent needs of the autism community, providing real help and hope so that all affected can reach their full potential. For more information, visit the National Autism Association website.
Please consider supporting National Autism Association when shopping through We-Care.com. The National Autism Association (NAA) continues to develop new programs and projects to help families affected by autism obtain critical treatments and services–right now–when they are so desperately needed. Through their “Helping Hand” project, they offer financial grants to families in need to assist in covering therapies for their children with autism. The FOUND program allows us to work with local law enforcement agencies to prevent wandering-related injuries and deaths.