Autism & Wandering Prevention Tips: Promoting Safety in the Home & Community

Wandering is a common and potentially dangerous behavior among individuals with autism, often leading to serious safety risks. This article offers in-depth guidance for parents and caregivers on how to prevent wandering through practical strategies such as securing the home, using identification tools, educating the community, and preparing for emergencies. These proactive steps can help ensure greater safety and peace of mind both at home and in public settings.

Similar to the wandering behaviors in seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s, children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are prone to wandering away from a safe environment. Because many children with ASD have challenges in areas of language and cognitive function, it is critical for parents to understand ways to keep their child or adult with autism safe.

Wandering Prevention

Install Home Safeguards

Install secure locks (exterior doors), door/window chimes; fence yard; secure gates; keep garage opener out of reach; use baby monitors and visual prompts like simple stop signs.

Secure Personal Safeguards

Have wearable identification on your child (RoadlD.com}; Temporary Tattoos are great for field trips and other outings; Check with local law enforcement to see if they offer Project Lifesaver Tracking Devices (Projectlifesaver.org}

Create Community Awareness

Alert trusted neighbors, and introduce them to your child; fill out an alert form for local police, include a current photo and unique characteristics, likes, fears, and behaviors; alert the school, and bus drivers (forms available at https://awaare.nationalautismassociation.org/)

Remain Hyper Vigilant

Stay on extra high alert during warmer months, holidays, vacations, camping trips, transition periods, outdoor gatherings, a recent move to a new home or school, visiting an unfamiliar selling, public outings.
Initiate a “tag, you’re it” system during family gatherings and transitions. Tag one responsible adult to closely supervise your child for an agreed-upon period of time.

Education

Identify Triggers/Teach Self-help

Be aware of any known triggers that could prompt fleeing (loud noises, bright lights, fears, etc.) and work towards teaching your child safe alternative ways to respond.

For an individual who demonstrates bolting behaviors due to fear or stress, etc., use aids, such as noise-cancelling headphones, and leach calming techniques using favorite topics or items.

Teach Safety Skills

Enroll your child into swimming lessons. Final lessons should be with clothes and shoes on (YMCA listing, nationalautismassociation.org).

Use social stories lo leach individuals with autism ways to stay safe and use favorite objects or tools lo demonstrate when it’s outside time versus inside time (social stories at awaare.nationalautismassociation.org}.

Response

Call 911

Remain calm and always call 911 immediately if an individual with ASD is missing; law enforcement should treat each case as “critical”.

Law enforcement agencies are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) for additional assistance.

Search Water First

Immediately search areas that pose the highest threat first, such as nearby water, busy streets, train tracks, and parked cars.

Preventing wandering requires ongoing awareness, preparation, and collaboration between families, communities, and support networks. By taking proactive steps—such as securing the environment, using identification tools, teaching safety skills, and building strong community connections—parents and caregivers can greatly reduce the risks associated with wandering. Most importantly, these efforts help create a safer, more supportive world for individuals with autism to thrive in.

For more tips and resources, visit nationalautismassociation.org.

How To Prepare For Emergencies And Handy Family Safety Checklist

Helpful Articles

• On the Run: Dealing with Children’s Elopement in Real Time
• How To Prepare For Emergencies And Handy Family Safety Checklist
• 10 Things Every Parent of a Special Needs Child Should Have Before Traveling
• When Minutes Feel Like Hours: Recognizing and Responding to Your Child’s First Seizure
• The Importance of Teaching Children Body Safety
• BODY SAFETY BE AWARE: Some General Tips and Guidelines
• Keeping Our Children Safe in the Real World
• Cool Rules: Preventing Heat Stress In Special Needs Children
• Special Diets: Food Allergies
• Staying Healthy In School {Tip 26 of 31}
• Digital Safety: An Ongoing Conversation
• Summer Internet Surfing Keeping Kids Safe Online
• BULLYING: A Real Threat to Your Child & Strategies for Preventing It from Happening
• Toys“R”Us: Safe Play Tips for Children with Special Needs
• Is Your Family Ready for Fun in the Water this Summer?
• Pool Safely

You May Also Like

• Their Tears and Fears. Masks and More: How to Really Help Your Child Thrive in the New Normal
• Sex Education: Teaching the Most Vulnerable
• Developing Your Own Network
• Mate Crime Spotting the Signs of Fake Friendship
• Restraints in School: What Can You Do?

This post originally appeared on our March/April 2016 Magazine