Autism Elopement and Summer Vacations

Autism elopement, a special needs child wandering off unsupervised, is a frightening ordeal. Unfortunately, it is also fairly common with both children and adults. And it can be all the more terrifying if elopement occurs when the family is away from home. Planning for an emergency before it happens is one of the best ways to prevent it.

Reduce autism elopement through predictability

Autism elopement may be related to curiosity about new surroundings, or to anxiety brought on by the change in locale and routine. Help your child to regain control by keeping things as predictable as possible. Discuss vacations before leaving, and if possible allow your child to see photos or maps of places you will be going. Take advantage of the opportunity to associate places with specific events in the daily routine ("We'll have breakfast in our room, but we'll eat lunch and supper with the other guests in the dining room.") and to talk about rules that will keep your special needs child safe ("It's important to be with a grownup if you want to use the elevator or go to the pool.")

People with autism tend to rely heavily on routine. Establish a bare bones routine that can be followed wherever you are. Draw up a daily schedule for your child to follow, as well as a calendar or itinerary that highlights special occasions or places you will be on certain days. If your child uses a visual schedule be sure to update it for your vacation, and bring it along.

Create social stories to introduce any aspects of your vacation that may be difficult for your autistic child to understand. It can also be helpful to read books or watch movies that deal with a similar type of vacation (road trip, camping, visiting family, staying in a hotel, sight seeing, etc.) to help your child get a feel for what your summer holiday will be like.

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