Safety First: Preventing Elopement in Autism Families

All parents share concerns about ensuring their children's safety at home. Whether it's the worry about the cabinet under the sink containing cleaning supplies or the sharp corners of a coffee table, the list of concerns tends to grow. The anxieties are amplified for autism families.

If a child has elopement issues, constant considerations about the environment arise. Questions like, "Is the lock out of reach?" or "Can my child navigate the new latching system?" become a persistent source of stress.

There are many ways you can secure your home when dealing with a child prone to elopement. Start by addressing the behavior itself. Identify specific triggers for elopement and employ communication strategies to prevent the child from feeling the need to run away.

Simple steps like making the child comfortable with hearing the word "no" can have a significant impact. Using reinforcement, such as rewards or praise for appropriate responses, helps teach this skill.

Beyond behavioral aspects, there are three fundamental steps to safeguarding an eloping child:

• Secure the home with locks that pose a challenge
• Install alarms on doors to be aware of movement
• Use safety devices to locate the child if they manage to leave.

Locking mechanisms vary, from deadbolts installed high on doors to double-sided keyless locks with a keypad. Mechanical options like door guards or pinch locks offer a cost-effective solution. Alarming doors and windows is easy with inexpensive packs of alarms with sticky pads. You can also use purpose-made devices that send alerts to your phone.

In case a child elopes, having a strategy to locate and bring them back is crucial. Options include ID bracelets with contact information, allergies, and medical conditions, like the Alert Me Band. GPS trackers designed for children with special needs, such as AngelSense, provide additional features like communication through a built-in speaker.

Additionally, the National Autism Association's Big Red Safety Box, which is free with an optional donation, offers useful tools like alarms, ID bracelets, and educational materials for autism families.

Regardless of whether a child struggles with elopement, having a plan and working on prevention are essential. Consulting with your child's ABA clinician can provide guidance on addressing eloping behavior.