FYI on wandering and ASD

[kathymuggle]

I have a nephew with autism who is prone to wandering.  He has had several "escapes."  I saw this while searching for something else, and thought it might be useful to those with children on the ASD who are prone to wandering.   Happy New Year!

Maybe other people have resources they would like to share - wandering is a huge problem for many on the ASD.

K.

http://nationalautismassociation.org/docs/BigRedSafetyToolkit.pdf

[Peony]

Thanks! DS1 is ASD and a true wanderer. He doesn't bolt, but gets lost in his own world or paces and just wanders off. It gets especially bad in outdoor spaces which seems to be a trigger or at night. He wears a MedicAlert bracelet just because of this but some of the other suggestions on that site are amazing. 

[kathymuggle]

You're welcome.

I have one nephew who wanders.  My sisters house is locked up, big time, because of this. He will literally leave the house for no apparent reason (well, he has one, we just do not know it)

My other nephew who is autistic does not wander - but he does run.  He will take off almost in a "chase me" type game.  He does not have a sense of danger when he does this - he once took off at a subway station….Overall, though, he is less scary than his older brother - at least you know when he has taken off.  

Both kids require a ratio of 1:1 in public.  

Transition times are the worst - and it can be quite bad when other adults are around, or acting as caregivers.  The reason it is bad when other adults are around is :

1.  People assume someone else is watching the child

2.  Caregivers do not understand that they really have to watch the child.  The subway incident was largely my fault.    No flames, anyone, I tell this story so people can understand that caregivers, even those who love the child and are reasonably knowledgable about autism, do not always "get it".  I was at the subway with a bunch of family members, including my autistic nephews.  I had been charged with holding the hand of "the runner".  I thought I could let it go for a second while I put my  ticket through the turnstyle,  thought my sister was being over-protective (sorry, sis, and how I have learned…….) and he bolted under the turnstyle.  My husband literally dodged under a turnstyle and caught him.  

2.  more people=more chaos.

Edited by kathymuggle - 1/2/13 at 8:41am

[Eyelet]

Thank you for posting about the toolkit. I requested and received one last year and the kit is very valuable. I don't see it listed now, but our kit came with two door alarms which are lifesavers. We have to use key door locks and window locks in my home because my son will bolt if given the opportunity. I highly recommend this kit.

[sageowl]

The toolkit is a must with a "runner".  Also, it's not a bad idea to "deputize" anyone around you that might encounter a loose child--neighbors, local business owners nearby, your local police precinct or fire station, if the unthinkable happens.