Wandering Off and Autism

Many caregivers of individuals with autism constantly worry that their child might wander off unexpectedly. This behavior, known as elopement or eloping, is a common concern. A recent study by Autism Speaks and the Interactive Autism Network found that 49% of parents reported their child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) attempted to wander or run away at least once after the age of four. In contrast, only 11% of unaffected siblings between the ages of four and seven reported wandering. This striking difference highlights elopement is more likely linked to an autism diagnosis and not parenting styles. So, what exactly is elopement, and why does it happen?

What Does Elopement Mean in Autism?

Elopement behavior is when an individual wanders off or runs away from caregivers or a safe area, putting them at risk of harm.

Why Do Kids with Autism Elope?

We posed this question to InBloom’s Chief Clinical Officer, Ellen Fittro, and she said:

“It is common that children with autism may have limited communication and, therefore, do not yet have an effective way to let others know about their wants and needs. Oftentimes, behaviors like eloping serve as a way to help them quickly access something they want or need.”

As Fittro mentions, several factors can contribute to elopement in children with autism. They might wander off to avoid something unpleasant or escape an overstimulating environment. On the flip side, they may elope to reach something or someone they enjoy, like a favorite toy or person. Sometimes, it’s simply about engaging in activities they love, such as playing, running around, or even being chased.

How to Understand Why Your Child Elopes

The first step in addressing elopement behavior is to understand why your child is eloping in the first place. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) experienced in applied behavior analysis (ABA) can conduct a functional assessment to identify the underlying reason for eloping. Once they determine the cause, parents can work with the BCBA to develop strategies to reduce the behavior and keep their children safe.

“There are many interventions that can help with elopement; however, it can often take time and persistence to eliminate the behavior altogether. If you are working with an ABA team, it is important to bring this behavior to their attention so they can make it a top priority for intervention.” – Ellen Fittro, Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) at InBloom Autism Services

ABA Strategies for Minimizing Elopement Behavior

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an evidence-based therapy approach. It helps improve the daily lives of children with autism by teaching them necessary skills in ways they learn best. This includes helping to minimize elopement behaviors in young children diagnosed with autism. At InBloom Autism Services, our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) will conduct a functional assessment to understand the why behind your child’s eloping behavior. This will help the team of therapists reduce the likelihood of eloping by teaching the child simple and appropriate communication responses to let others know what they want or need.

“For example, if we learn that a child elopes as a way to access attention or play with others, we can teach the child an appropriate response to ask to be chased. In addition to teaching these replacement behaviors, we can also strategically arrange the environment in a way that decreases the ease at which the child can leave the area when it’s not safe or appropriate to do so.” – Ellen Fittro, Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) at InBloom Autism Services

To help minimize and eventually eliminate eloping behavior, we implement a variety of strategies. Because every child is motivated by unique factors, our team of certified analysts will develop individualized ABA therapy plans tailored to each child’s needs and goals.

Tips for Keeping Your Child Safe

Preparation is an important part of ensuring your child can do what they love in a safe environment. Here are a few tips to help prevent your child from eloping or wandering away:

Monitor child and know their whereabouts at all times
Reward and praise children frequently when they do not elope
Put child safety locks on home/ vehicle doors and windows
Install alarms when possible to be alerted if a door or window is opened
Get a wearable GPS device for child that allows you to track their location

It is imperative to be prepared just in case elopement occurs. Here are some precautionary steps parents can take now:

Gather essential materials and documents about the child, including their name, a photo, communication abilities, calming techniques, favorite places they might go, and caregiver contact information.
Sharing this information with trusted caregivers and neighbors can be incredibly helpful in case the child wanders off, making it easier to locate and assist them quickly.
Teach child to say their name, caregiver names, and phone numbers. If the child isn’t able to communicate verbally, make sure this information is on their person or an item they carry, especially during times when they are more likely to wander off.

Start Your ABA Therapy Journey

Whether your child recently received an autism diagnosis or you’re looking to shift to a center-based therapy program to help your child master critical developmental skills- InBloom can help! We create ABA Therapy programs specifically for your child. When you enroll your child with us, an InBloom BCBA will conduct an assessment to determine your child’s current abilities and determine the best therapy approach to help them bloom!

Call 877.436.9806 to speak to a member of our Care Team today to get started or fill out our preliminary contact form.

Here are some additional resources for parents and caregivers who have a loved one who is prone to wandering or eloping:

InBloom Autism Services specializes in early intervention ABA Therapy. Our certified therapists undergo training to implement teaching programs specifically designed for children aged 5 and under with autism. Our Learning Centers also offer a safe and enjoyable environment for children to interact and practice social skills with their peers. Find a Learning Center near you!

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