Wandering and Elopement: How to Keep Kids and Teens with Autism Safe

Wandering, also known as elopement, is one of the most distressing and dangerous situations a caregiver can face. It’s estimated that nearly half of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will wander from a safe environment at some point in their lives. Understanding why this happens and taking proactive steps can help reduce the risks and bring families greater peace of mind.

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Why Do Children with Autism Wander?

There are many reasons a child or teen may elope, including:

• Seeking a place or object of interest (e.g., playground, train tracks, a favorite toy)

• Escaping a loud, chaotic, or overwhelming environment

• Attempting to avoid a demand or transition

• Enjoying the sensation of movement or exploration

• Simply not understanding danger

Whatever the cause, wandering can put kids in serious danger, especially near traffic, bodies of water, or unfamiliar surroundings.

Prevention Strategies

While it’s impossible to eliminate all risk, here are several practical steps families can take to reduce the likelihood of elopement:

1. Secure the Home Environment

• Use door and window alarms, safety locks, or inexpensive battery-powered chimes.

• Add visual cues like laminated stop signs (available for free in the Home Safety Starter Pack).

• Create simple rules like, “Only leave with a grown-up,” and practice them regularly.

Tip: Keep exits clear in case of emergency, while still minimizing unsupervised

access.

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2. Create Safe Zones and Safety Plans

• Define "safe zones" areas the child is free to access alone.

• Choose a designated meeting spot in public, and practice finding it.

• Role-play common scenarios: getting separated in a store, feeling overwhelmed in a crowd, etc.

Regular check-ins like “Where’s your safe space right now?” can encourage

awareness.

3. Practice “Lost Person” Scripts

Many children with autism struggle with communication — especially during

high-stress situations. Practicing scripts can help:

Child: “Hi, my name is ____. I have Autism. I’m lost. Can you call my mom or dad?”

Helper: “Yes, what’s their phone number?”

Child: “It’s (xxx) xxx-xxxx.”

Not comfortable speaking? Use an ID Diagnosis Card with key details: name,

diagnosis, parent numbers, and safety tips. It's available for free in the Home Safety Starter Pack.

4. Build Community Awareness

• Introduce your child to neighbors, especially if they’re prone to wandering.

• Share a photo, diagnosis, and how best to help if they see your child unsupervised.

Even a 2-minute conversation can help turn neighbors into safety allies.

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5. Leverage Technology

• Consider using GPS tracking devices or smartwatches with location sharing.

• Set geofencing alerts for high-risk areas.

• Teach your child to recognize safe adults — like store employees, uniformed officers, or other parents with kids.

Additional Resources:

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• National Autism Association - About Autism and Wandering

• National Autism Association - Autism & Wandering Prevention Tips

• National Autism Associate - Big Red Safety Shop

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children - Autism & Wandering

• ​Autism Speaks - Wandering Prevention

• Child Find of America - Bringing Kids Home - Keeping Them Safe
  

 Helpful Freebies:

• Download the Diagnosis ID Card

• Print visual Stop Signs

• Use our Emergency Contact Card

You can find these in the free printable Home Safety Starter Pack.

Final Thoughts:

Wandering can be scary, but you're not alone. By taking small, proactive steps, you can make a big difference in keeping your child or teen safe, while also building confidence and independence over time.