Preventing Wandering: Resources for Parents and First Responders

A 2012 study confirmed what many parents know well: Wandering by children with autism is common, dangerous and puts tremendous stress on families. Amid a frightening number of wandering cases of children with autism this – many of them fatal – Autism Speaks wants to remind families of the resources available and the advice to follow to keep your children safe. To report an active case of wandering click here.

• 6 Tips to Help Prevent Wandering and Wandering-Related Tragedies
• 7 Steps You Can Take to Prevent Wandering at Your Child's School
• A Digital Guide for Caregivers: Learning to Prevent Wandering
• A Digital Resource for First Responders: Finding a Missing Child with Autism
• AWAARE Autism Safety Project
• Autism Safety Resources and Products
• Tips from Our Community
• Other Wandering-Related Resources

New! Autism Speaks has collaborated with Twigtale to develop teaching stories to help keep your child safe! You provide the personal photos and details, Twigtale provides the scripted story. Stores include Water Safety, I Stay in My House, Police Officer My Friend, If I Get Lost and more. Check out these new stories here!

Six Tips to Help Prevent Wandering and Wandering-Related Tragedies

From AWAARE: Autism Wandering Awareness Alerts Response Education Coalition 1. Secure Your Home Consider contacting a professional locksmith, security company or home improvement professional to promote safety and prevention in your home. You may find it is necessary to prevent your loved one from slipping away unnoticed by installing secure dead bolt locks that require keys on both sides, a home security alarm system, inexpensive battery-operated alarms on doors, placing hook and eye locks on all doors above your child's reach, fencing your yard, adhering printable STOP SIGNS to doors, windows and other exits, etc. 2. Consider a Tracking Device Check with local law enforcement for Project Lifesaver or LoJak SafetyNet services. These tracking devices are worn on the wrist or ankle and locate the individual through radio frequency. Various GPS tracking systems are also available. 3. Consider an ID Bracelet Medical ID bracelets will include your name, telephone number and other important information. They may also state that your child has autism and is non-verbal if applicable. If your child will not wear a bracelet or necklace, consider a temporary tattoo with your contact information. 4. Teach Your Child to Swim Swimming lessons for children with special needs are available at many YMCA locations. The final lesson should be with clothes on. Remember: teaching your child how to swim does not mean your child is safe in water. If you own a pool, fence it and if neighbors have pools, let them know of these safety precautions and your child's tendency to wander. Remove all toys or items of interest from the pool when not in use. 5. Alert Your Neighbors It is recommended that caregivers plan a brief visit with neighbors to introduce their loved or provide a photograph. Knowing your neighbors can help reduce the risks associated with wandering. See the caregiver tool kit below for resources to use to alert them. 6. Alert First Responders Providing first responders with key information before an incident occurs may improve response. Informational handouts should include all pertinent information and be copied and carried with caregivers at all times. Circulate the handout to family, neighbors, friends and co-workers, as well as first responders. See the tool kits below for resources to use to alert them.

Seven Steps to Prevent Wandering at Your Child's School

1. If your child has a tendency to wander, it is critical to address wandering issues in his or her Individualized Education Program (IEP). If there is a history of wandering incidents, it’s important to call a meeting with school staff, administrators, and your child’s IEP team to make them aware of these past situations, as well as educate them on the autism wandering issue in general. If something changes or an incident occurs, you as a parent have the right to amend the IEP and adjust the particular items, at any time. 2. Write a letter requesting that you always be informed, immediately and in writing, of any wandering incident on or off the campus. If your child requires 1-on-1 supervision, be sure to make this extremely clear to school staff – and clearly documented in the IEP – and emphasize that under no circumstances should your child be left alone at any time. A sample letter can be found here. 3. Carefully document all wandering-related incidents. Sharing this information with the staff at your child’s school will help prepare them if such an incident occurs at school. For example, where has your child been found in the past? What are his or her fascinations or obsessions? Where would he/she most likely be drawn to near campus? 4. Try to eliminate all possible triggers that have led to wandering in the past. For example, if your child is drawn to water, be sure that all pools, lakes, etc. in the area of the school are blocked off so that there is no chance your child will be able to access them. 5. Ask what the school’s policies are on wandering prevention. Understand any and all security measures used by the school. If you think something is missing (i.e. a barrier you find necessary that may not be in place), be sure to voice your concerns. Speaking up is often required to ensure your child’s safety. A note from your child’s doctor noting these incidents could help provide sound reasoning for strong security measures. 6. Introduce your child to all security staff. Provide the security team with more information about your child, such as how to calm him or her down, whether or not he or she responds well to touch, sound, etc. All security should be aware of your child’s tendency to wander so they take extra note of the importance of keeping an eye on your child. Click here for an Elopement Alert Form to fill out with specific information about your child for all first responders including school security. 7. In addition to including all wandering-related information, be sure that your child’s IEP also includes safety skills and wandering-prevention measures. Include these skills in your child’s therapy programs if you are able to do so.

Big Red Safety Tool Kit: A Digital Guide for Caregivers

Be REDy to Prevent Wandering This tool kit from the National Autism Association is designed to provide direct aid and support to families of children with autism at risk. Download the kit here! The kit contains the following resources:

• Caregiver Checklist Tool
• Family Wandering Emergency Plan
• Autism Elopement Alert Form: Person-Specific Information for First Responders
• Swimming Lessons Tool
• Root-Cause Scenarios and Strategies
• Stop Sign Prompts
• Social Stories
• Caregiver Log
• Sample Wandering Prevention IEP Letter
• Tracking Technology Information (Steps to Take, About, Types)
• General Awareness Letter
• Five Affordable Safety Tools
• Resources One-sheeter

Big Red Safety Tool Kit: A Digital Resource for First Responders

Be REDy to Find A Missing Child with Autism This tool kit from the National Autism Association is designed to help first responders understand autism and become better equiped to respond in an emergency situation involving an individual on the spectrum. Download the kit here!