Autism and wandering - safety tips for handling autistic children while outside

SHAH ALAM - Many autistic children and teenagers wander or run off, even when adults are supervising them.

Sometimes autistic children wander aimlessly. Other times, they want to get somewhere in particular, or they bolt suddenly to get away from something.

When you understand why your autistic child wanders, it can help you work out the best way to manage the wandering.

You can do this by looking at what seems to trigger your child’s wandering and what your child gets out of it.

Then, you might be able to change or manage the wandering by changing either the triggers or what your child gets out of it.

For example, if your child is sensitive to noise and light, they may attempt to flee when you are in the store together.

The trigger for wandering in this setting is too much noise and light.

Running away is your child's approach to alleviating the discomfort caused by the loudness and brightness.

You can get around this by avoiding taking your child to the grocery, going at a quieter time, or thanking your youngster for staying with you.

Autistic children may wander for a variety of causes. For example, they may like to:

• Avoid something in their environment, like noise.
• Go to a favourite place, like the park or train station.
• Avoid something they’re scared of, like dogs or balloons.
• Seek out a sensory stimulus, like water.
• Feel in control.
• Be chased.

Here are simple, practical things you can do around your home and in your family to make it harder for children to wander:

• Use security gates and fences around your yard and garden.
• Supervise your child in and around your home.
• Use an alarm on doorways and other entry and exit points.
• Teach your child to hold your hand and walk beside you when you’re out together.
• Use a tracking app.

Safety for autistic children and teenagers who wander

These tips can help to keep your autistic child safe if they wander off.

Teach your child safety skills

If your child knows some safety skills, it can help them avoid danger.

You could use social stories to teach your child about car and road safety, stranger danger, fire safety and water safety.

If your child is fascinated with water, it’s a good idea to teach your child to swim and when it’s ok to be in the water.

Dress your child in bright clothes

If you dress your child in bright, distinctive clothing when you go out, it will help you and other people spot your child if your child wanders off.

Use an identification necklace

Your child could wear an identification necklace or bracelet that has your contact details and a statement that your child is autistic. People will know who to call if they wander or get lost.

Ask for community help

You could introduce yourself and your child to the station staff if your child has certain places they’re likely to go to. You could ask the staff to watch for your child and call you if they see them.

Talk to your child’s school

As part of preparing for your child to start primary school or move on to secondary school, you can meet with school staff to talk about your child’s needs. As part of this, you can inform the school staff about your child’s wandering and how to manage it. You could talk about how they plan to keep your child safe, both at school and on school excursions and camps.

Talk to local police

If your community has a police station, it's a good idea to introduce your child to the officers there, or to visit the station and offer them information about your child and your contact information. You may inform them of your child's roaming, where they will likely go, and why.

You could also provide the police with information about your child's developmental stage and social abilities. Will your child for example, feel terrified if a police officer approaches them? Will they be able to comprehend what the officer is saying? This is especially crucial for autistic kids because it can appear that they are being deliberately uncooperative.

Emergency plans for autistic children and teenagers who wander

If your autistic child is prone to wandering, it’s a good idea to have an emergency plan. The plan should include:

• Your child’s name, photo and description
• Places your child might go to
• Dangerous places to check first – for example, your pool or the local train station
• Information about how your child might react to people they don’t know or to being lost
• Contact details for the local police, your neighbours, and any places your child might go – for example, the train station
• your contact information.
• Share your emergency plan with carers, friends, neighbours, family, your child’s school and the local police. You can also help people get to know your child, so that they’re more likely to act – and know what to do – if they find your child unsupervised.
• Getting professional help for wandering
• An experienced professional can help you understand and manage your child’s behaviour. This might be particularly helpful if you’ve already tried other strategies to manage wandering, but these haven’t worked. A good first step is talking with your GP, paediatrician or psychologist, your child’s other health professionals, or school support staff.