National Autism Association - Autism Safety Initiative - Our mission is providing resources, education, advocacy, awareness and support - Wandering - 12 Ways to Prevent, and Respond to, Asd Wandering

wandering
12 WAYS TO PREVENT, AND RESPOND TO, ASD WANDERING

1) UNDERSTAND WANDERING PATTERNS AND ELIMINATE TRIGGERS

::	Ask yourself what type of wandering best describes your child/adult (goal-directed, non goal-directed, random, sudden runner, etc.)

::	Acknowledge what triggers may make your child/adult wander off or leave quickly.

::	Implement strategies at home to avoid known triggers. Work on calming methods to help your child/adult cope with the triggers and provide other ways to handle the trigger besides running, etc.

::	Address known triggers within your child’s IEP, and advocate for de-escalation (calming) techniques.

::	Understand if your child/adult has a goal (Are they trying to get to water? Train tracks? Nearby merry-go-round?)

::	Address known goals; allow supplemental objects within safe environment; allow child to explore obsessions under safe supervision in safe environment (for example, if your child’s goal is to get to water, offer a set time for water play each day in your home under close adult supervision).

::	Understand if your child/adult is trying to get away from something (Is there too much noise? Is there too much commotion? Is there boredom?) so that it may be addressed.

::	Understand if your child/adult tends to wander during the night, CLICK HERE for tips on how to avoid nighttime wandering.

::	Obtain relevant social stories and go through them with your child.

::	Document fascinations and share with first-responders, school, relatives, and friends; communicate with your child and all of those involved with your child’s daily activities.


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