Many parents with an autistic child find that their son or daughter is prone to running away. In this article we explore the possible reasons and what you can try to help with the issue.

Autism basics

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour.

Children with ASD may have difficulty understanding social cues, have repetitive behaviours, and may engage in activities that may seem unusual or inappropriate to others.

One of the behaviours that may be observed in children with ASD is running away or elopement.

Why an autistic child may run away

There are several reasons why an autistic child may keep running away, including:

Sensory Overload:

Children with ASD may experience sensory overload, which means that they can become overwhelmed by sensory stimuli such as loud noises, bright lights, or strong smells.

This can cause them to feel anxious or stressed, and they may run away to escape the overwhelming environment.

Lack of Awareness of Danger:

Children with ASD may have difficulty understanding danger or recognising risks. They may not understand that running away from a safe environment can put them in danger.

For example, they may run into a busy street or wander into an unfamiliar neighbourhood.

Difficulty with Transitions:

Children with ASD may struggle with transitions from one activity to another or from one environment to another.

They may run away when they feel overwhelmed by the transition or when they want to escape a particular activity or environment.

Obsessive Interests:

Some children with ASD may have obsessive interests or fixations on certain objects or activities. They may run away to pursue these interests or to escape from situations that interfere with their interests.

Communication Difficulties:

Children with ASD may have difficulty communicating their needs and feelings effectively. They may run away to communicate their frustration, anxiety, or discomfort.

Seeking Sensory Stimulation:

Some children with ASD may seek out sensory stimulation by running or engaging in other physical activities.

They may find the movement and sensation of running to be comforting or enjoyable.

Anxiety and Stress:

Children with ASD may experience anxiety and stress related to social situations, changes in routine, or other stressors.

They may run away as a way of coping with these feelings or as a way of avoiding situations that cause them anxiety or stress.

How to stop an autistic child running away

It is important to note that running away can obviously be a dangerous behaviour for children with ASD.

Here are some strategies that may help:

Identify Triggers:

Keep a record of when and where your child tends to run away. This can help you identify triggers and patterns that may be contributing to the behaviour. Once you know what triggers the behaviour, you can take steps to avoid or modify those triggers.

Teach Safety Skills:

It is important to teach your child safety skills, such as how to cross the street safely, how to identify safe and unsafe situations, and how to ask for help if needed.

You can also practice these skills with your child through role-playing and other activities.

Create a Safe Environment:

Make sure your home and yard are secure by installing locks on doors and windows, fencing the garden, and using alarms or motion detectors.

If your child tends to wander outside the home, consider using a GPS tracking device or enrolling them in a wandering prevention program.

Use Visual Supports:

Visual supports, such as social stories and picture schedules, can help your child understand routines and expectations.

You can create visual supports that show your child where they are allowed to go and what they are allowed to do.

Use physical restraints:

Although unpopular with some parents, one option always on the table would be to use varying forms of physical restraints.

You could try some of the walking reins that are popular with some parents. Or you could invest in a larger child pram to keep your son or daughter strapped in.

Summary – Autistic child running away

In summary, preventing elopement behavior in children with autism requires a combination of environmental modifications, teaching safety skills, and developing a behaviour plan that addresses the underlying causes of the behaviour.

By working with your child’s healthcare provider and seeking support from others, you can develop a plan that helps your child stay safe and thrive.