An individual who elopes in autism is a person on the autism spectrum who leaves a supervised, safe area without permission or necessary supervision, a behavior also commonly referred to as wandering or bolting. This behavior is a serious safety concern in the autism community, occurring in nearly half of children with autism after the age of four, a rate significantly higher than in their non-autistic siblings. The urge to elope can manifest in various settings, including running from a caregiver in a public place, leaving a classroom without consent, or exiting the home unnoticed. This behavior is not typically an act of defiance but a complex response to the individual’s environment and internal state. Elopement is uniquely dangerous for autistic individuals because they often lack an awareness of potential hazards, have difficulty communicating their needs, and may not respond to verbal commands from caregivers or first responders. This combination of factors transforms a simple exit into a potentially life-threatening emergency.
Defining Elopement in Autism
Elopement is defined as a dependent person exposing themselves to potential danger by leaving the care of a responsible person or a secure environment. Unlike typical childhood curiosity or “running away,” elopement in autism is often driven by sensory, emotional, or communication difficulties and can occur impulsively without a clear destination or goal.
Up to 49% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have attempted to elope at least once. Elopement episodes tend to peak around age five and a half and are four times more common in young autistic children compared to their non-autistic peers.
The risk of elopement is often associated with the severity of the individual’s autism, particularly for those with more pronounced communication challenges. Individuals who elope are frequently unable to communicate basic personal information, such as their name, address, or phone number, which severely complicates search and rescue efforts.
The Functions Behind Eloping
Understanding why an individual elopes requires a functional approach, which identifies the purpose or “function” the behavior serves for that person. Behavior is often categorized into four main functions: escape, access to tangibles, sensory seeking, and automatic reinforcement. Identifying the specific function is the first step in developing an effective, individualized intervention plan.
Escape or Avoidance
This is one of the most common functions, where the individual attempts to get away from something undesirable. This could be escaping sensory overload, such as the overwhelming noise and bright lights of a crowded store, or avoiding an undesirable task, like homework or a demand to transition to a new activity. Elopement provides an immediate, effective way to terminate the unpleasant situation.
Access to Preferred Tangibles or Activities
In this function, the person is eloping to get to something they want. This may involve bolting out the door to reach a favorite toy that was put away, a specific location like a nearby park, or a preferred person. The individual uses elopement as the fastest way to obtain a desired item or experience.
Sensory Seeking
Elopement can serve as a form of sensory seeking, where the individual pursues a specific type of sensory input. The sheer act of running provides intense vestibular or proprioceptive input that the person’s body may crave. An individual might also elope to access a particular visual stimulus, like a traffic light or a train, that holds an intense, focused interest for them.
Automatic Reinforcement
This function is often described as simple exploration or the enjoyment of the activity itself. The individual may find the act of wandering or running inherently pleasurable, without a clear external goal or consequence. This can be a response to an internal state, such as anxiety, or a lack of perceived danger, leading to aimless wandering that poses a significant risk.
Life-Threatening Dangers of Wandering
The consequences of elopement are severe. Individuals with autism who elope are at a far greater risk of injury or fatality than the general population, primarily because they often lack the awareness to recognize and navigate environmental hazards. The risk is present across all age groups, but young children, particularly those aged five to nine, face the highest number of deaths.
Accidental Drowning
Accidental drowning is the leading cause of death following an elopement incident, accounting for over 70% of lethal outcomes. Many autistic individuals are intensely drawn to water sources, such as pools, ponds, and rivers. This attraction, combined with a lack of swimming skills or danger awareness, proves fatal. The risk of drowning is significantly higher during the warmer months when outdoor activities and access to water increase.
Fatal Traffic Injury
Fatal traffic injury is the second most common cause of death, with approximately 65% of missing individuals experiencing a close call with a moving vehicle. Individuals who elope may dart into roadways without looking, failing to comprehend the danger posed by traffic or the purpose of traffic signals. Their intense focus on a destination or sensory input can override any learned caution about cars and roads.
Other serious dangers include exposure and environmental injury, such as hypothermia, heat exhaustion, and dehydration, especially if the elopement occurs in extreme weather or remote areas. Falls and physical trauma from running or climbing in unsafe locations are also common injuries. Furthermore, elopement increases the vulnerability to harmful interactions with strangers, particularly for non-verbal individuals who cannot call for help or explain their situation.
Proactive Prevention and Emergency Planning
Addressing elopement requires a comprehensive, multi-layered strategy that combines environmental security, technology, and individualized behavioral intervention. The goal is to prevent the behavior from occurring while ensuring a rapid, effective response if an elopement does happen. Prevention starts with securing the immediate environment to create a physical barrier against unauthorized exit.
Environmental and Physical Safety
These measures are the first line of defense within the home and school settings. This involves installing high-security locks that require a key or complex mechanism to open, placed either high or low on doors to be out of the individual’s reach. Door and window alarms are also recommended, as they alert caregivers immediately if an exit point is opened. Fences around yards are necessary, and secure covers and locked gates for any pools or bodies of water are non-negotiable due to the high risk of drowning associated with elopement.
Technology and Identification
Technology provides a layer of protection that extends beyond the home. Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices, often worn as watches or attached to clothing, allow caregivers to monitor the individual’s location in real-time. These devices can also be used to set up geo-fences that trigger an alert if a boundary is crossed. Identification tags, such as medical alert bracelets, should be worn at all times and include:
- The individual’s name.
- A contact number.
- The diagnosis of autism.
- Instructions for anyone who finds them.
Community and Behavioral Intervention
This focuses on long-term safety and preparedness. Behavior analysts can use Functional Communication Training (FCT) to teach the individual an appropriate replacement behavior for elopement. For example, they can be taught to request a break instead of running away from an overwhelming situation. Caregivers should also engage proactively with local first responders, including police and fire departments, to inform them about the individual’s tendencies, preferred locations, and communication methods.
Emergency Search Plan
A written, specific Emergency Search Plan is an indispensable component of preparedness. This plan should include current, detailed photos of the individual, a list of known “lures” (places or items they are drawn to), and medical information. It should also list neighbors or community members who have agreed to assist in a search. Having this information pre-organized allows for immediate and coordinated action, which is paramount since children who elope are often found within a short distance of the point of exit.