Half of all children with autism wander and bolt from safe places, study shows

"This survey is the first research effort to scientifically validate that elopement is a critical safety issue for the autism community," said Dr. Paul Law, Director of the IAN Project at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. "We hope that advocates and policy makers use this research to implement key safety measures to support these families and keep these children safe."

In just three weeks, more than 800 parents of children with autism completed the survey. The findings highlighted below summarize the compelling results and crucial safety concerns identified by parents. 

Dangers of Elopement

The tendency of individuals with ASD to wander or "bolt" puts them at risk of trauma, injury or even death:

• More than one third of children who elope are never or rarely able to communicate their name, address, or phone number verbally or by writing/typing
• Two in three parents report their missing children had a "close call" with a traffic injury
• 32% of parents report a "close call" with a possible drowning

Effect of Wandering on Families

• Wandering was ranked among the most stressful ASD behaviors by 58% of parents of elopers
• 62% of families of children who elope were prevented from attending/enjoying activities outside the home due to fear of wandering
• 40% of parents had suffered sleep disruption due to fear of elopement
• Children with ASD are eight times more likely to elope between the ages of 7 and 10 than their typically-developing siblings

Resources, Support for Families

• Half of families with elopers report they had never received advice or guidance about elopement from a professional
• Only 19% had received such support from a psychologist or mental health professional
• Only 14% had received guidance from their pediatrician or another physician

Motivations for Elopement

Despite speculation that summer is the peak season for elopement, 67% of parents of elopers said they saw no seasonal pattern at all; only 25% felt summer was the peak season. The top 5 reasons parents believed their children eloped included:

• Enjoys exploring (54%)
• Heads for a favorite place (36%)
• Escapes demands/anxieties (33%)
• Pursues special topic (31%)
• Escapes sensory discomfort (27%)

After further analysis of the data the IAN Project will publish additional findings, such as how children with ASD who wander differ from children with ASD who do not, the financial and emotional burden on parents, and the steps parents take to prevent elopement.

This research was funded by the Autism Research Institute, Autism Science Foundation, Autism Speaks and Global Autism Collaboration.

In addition to Autism Speaks, the Simons Foundation and the National Institutes of Health also support the IAN Project.To read the preliminary findings in their entirety, visit

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