9 high-risk situations for wandering and elopement

September 20, 2019

Elopement and wandering are serious problems for families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here are 9 high-risk situations when parents and caregivers need to be more mindful.

Family vacation: traveling by airplane, train, or bus; staying in a hotel.

When primary caregivers are away, children in the care of a less-familiar or unfamiliar adult.

Novel community outings.

Public transportation: bus, train, taxi/car service, etc.

Open spaces: wooded areas, parks, sporting events, parking lots, etc.

Crowded places: local swimming pools, parks, water parks, amusement parks, festivals, shopping malls.

All water sources: fountains, swimming pools, ponds, lakes, water features.

Occupied caregivers: adults involved in conversation, emotionally driven arguments, or on smartphones.

Transitions: store to parking lot; school to summer break; when one activity ends and another is yet to begin; moving; changing schools.