Why Wandering Is a Serious Risk for Kids With Autism, Especially in Summer 

 For many families raising a child with autism, one of the biggest fears is a child slipping away. That might mean walking out the front door, leaving the playground or disappearing into a crowd. This behavior, often called “wandering” or “elopement,” can happen in a matter of seconds. It’s more than stressful. In some cases, it can be life-threatening. 

Summer brings even more opportunities for this to happen. Routines shift, outings increase, and kids are often near water, one of the biggest safety hazards for children with autism. Understanding why wandering happens and how to prevent it can help families stay prepared and safe. 

What Is Wandering? 

Wandering happens when a child leaves a safe place without permission or supervision. This can include leaving home, school, a playground, or a caregiver in public. 

In children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it’s especially common. A 2012 study in Pediatrics found that nearly half of children with autism had tried to wander or run away at least once after age 4. Of those, 26% were missing long enough to cause concern. 

The reasons vary. Some children may seek out a place they enjoy, such as water. Others may run to escape overwhelming sounds, sights, or situations. But no matter the cause, the risk is high. 

Why Summer Brings Added Risk 

Wandering can happen any time of year, but summer adds new layers of risk. Families are more likely to be out of their routines, exploring new places, or visiting pools, lakes, and beaches. New environments can be exciting, disorienting, or overstimulating for kids with autism. 

Water presents the greatest danger. According to the National Autism Association, accidental drowning accounted for 71% of all deaths resulting from wandering in children with autism under age 15. 

And it can happen fast. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that it takes as little as 20 seconds for a child to drown. 

Safety Strategies That Can Help 

Many families aren’t told about wandering risks when their child is first diagnosed. But there are proactive steps that can help reduce danger. 

Swim lessons are one of the most effective strategies. Some insurance plans may cover swim lessons for children with autism as part of behavioral treatment. Read more in Why Swimming and Water Play Benefit Kids with ASD

Families can also partner with a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) to teach safety skills. BCBAs can support children in tolerating wearable tracking devices, reducing bolting behaviors, and recognizing safe adults or “community helpers.” 

Other tools include: 

  • Personal ID wristbands or GPS trackers 
  • Secure fencing or home alarms 
  • Creating emergency plans with neighbors 
  • Registering with local police or Smart911.com, which lets families share medical or behavioral information that pops up for 911 dispatchers 

Planning Ahead Brings Peace of Mind 

Not every child with autism wanders. But for those who do, preparation can save lives. 

Summer outings should be fun, not stressful. These 4 Steps to Swim Safety for Your Child with Autism offer practical tips families can use right away. 

For more information on wandering and autism safety planning, visit the National Autism Association’s Big Red Safety Toolkit. 

What is Contemporary ABA?

People often say that history is written by the victors. When the colonists won the American Revolution, they described the war as a noble struggle to escape tyranny. Had the British won, history books might have called it a heroic effort to save the empire from ungrateful rebels. 

In the same way, most people in America are able-bodied, so they decide what is “normal.” For example, we might see an autistic brain or someone with poor eyesight (but stronger other senses) as less valuable. But really, these are just different ways of thinking and living. 

For more than 60 million Americans with disabilities, this can be a challenge. They have to fit their lives into a world designed for able-bodied people, even though it would be easy to make the world work for everyone.  

Ableism and Ableist Misconceptions

Contemporary treatments include the individual in planning when possible. Contemporary practices change in response to the voices of those who have received therapy in the past. 

Ableism is when able-bodied people assume everyone is like them and fail to see the challenges people with disabilities face.  

Ableism includes unfair ideas, such as thinking people with disabilities always need help, even if they don’t ask for it. Not all disabilities are visible, which can lead to wrong assumptions about mental illnesses being different from physical ones. These false beliefs make it harder for people with disabilities to be treated equally and included in society.  

ABA Intervention

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is widely regarded as the most effective treatment for autism, supported by decades of research. It isn’t a single therapy method. Instead, it’s a flexible approach that uses different techniques to help children build the skills they need to thrive at school and in daily life. 

Recently, ABA has increasingly become the target of much controversy as self-advocates are speaking up about their experiences. They reject the idea that teaching people with autism the skills deemed necessary without their input or choice. Some advocates say independence is meaningless without happiness and that people with autism should choose their own goals, which might not include fitting in with others.  

ABA, which is essentially the science of good teaching, has a long history and was originally developed in the 1960s by a group of researchers at the University of Washington. ABA was used to treat individuals with developmental disabilities and initially was a rigid, highly structured and teacher-directed program, which led to some of the negative experiences and associations with ABA. Historically, for example, ABA was used to reduce or eliminate “stimming” – repetitive physical movements and sounds that may soothe and reduce anxiety. We now better understand that stimming helps people with autism manage their sensory processing and their environments. 

Just like in other areas of medicine and science, the field of ABA has advanced in a significant and meaningful way to become a play-based, naturalistic, family-focused and individualized, contemporary treatment that is tailored to the unique needs and goals of everyone. A good ABA program collects and reports data to show effectiveness. Providers must demonstrate success, validated by parents, through goals set with the family. If your provider doesn’t follow this approach, they may not be using best practices.  

ABA now adapts to individual needs by learning from adults. While negative experiences must be addressed, dismissing ABA entirely overlooks its success for many. Good programs focus on the client, seek consent, and value input. Research and ask key questions when choosing a provider.  

What to Look for in an ABA Program 

  • Will I participate in determining the goals of treatment for myself/my child? 
  • How are your staff trained? 
  • How is my child’s program developed? Do all clients receive the same program or are they individualized? 
  • Will there be parent goals as part of my child’s program? 
  • How often is my child’s program modified or revised? 
  • How is data collected and reported? 
  • How often will I see data on my child’s progress? 

Your child’s program should be client-centered and future looking, which means that your family and relevant caregivers are providing input into your child’s strengths and challenges, and that you and your child are helping to guide the goals of his/her program based on your preferences and needs. 

The science of ABA has a long history with decades of research to support its development and evolution. While ABA is most widely known in its application to autism, ABA was developed, and has been applied, to address many circumstances regarding behavior that matter to society. ABA is applied in many different areas, including mental health, animal training, organizational behavior management, marketing, forensics, sports, and physical health, to name a few. Just as other areas of science and medicine advance and application of treatments change, so has the field of ABA. Many lives have been impacted by ABA for the better. It is incumbent upon the professional community to listen, learn, and evolve its practice so that their services are as relevant and effective as possible. After all, the purpose of ABA is to help children with autism achieve the goals that matter most to them and their families — goals that foster growth, independence, and joy in their everyday lives.  

Living a Full Life with Autism with Martin Slyngstad

Martin Slyngstad a Behavior Specialist, and currently in school to become a Speech Pathologist, joins us to discuss his multitude of interests and accomplishments as a young autistic adult.  Martin is the author of Chatter Box: My Life with Autism A Mother and Sons Perspective, founder Spire Autism, and Special Olympics gold medal winner. Martin’s warmth and sincerity are contagious as he shares his passionate belief that everyone should celebrate their authentic life.

For more information:

www.spireautism.com

www.youtube.com/@martinsautismjourney7397

All Autism Talk is sponsored by Learn Behavioral (www.Learnbehavioral.com).

Moms Roundtable: Autism, Wellness, and Motherhood

In this episode we are joined by three dynamic women who share their perspectives on how to best care for yourself and your family while raising a child with autism.  Arfa Alam, a first generation Muslim American with neurodiverse family returns to share her wisdom and passion with us. Heather Link is a clinical Director who shares her experiences of both providing services and receiving services for her own family. Liza Hellenbrand is the mother of a thriving, 21 year old son with autism who also hosts the Empowered Caregiver podcast. Join this powerful women’s circle as they share from different backgrounds and experiences to offer sage advice to other moms.

For more information:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-empowered-caregiver



All autism talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

Advocating for Your Family and Good, Contemporary ABA With Arfa Alam

Arfa Alam is a senior manager at the Partnership for Public Service, a non-profit that envisions a dynamic and innovative federal government that effectively serves our diverse nation. Prior to joining the Partnership, Arfa performed labor human rights and social responsibility work in more than 40 countries in both the public and private sectors. Arfa joins us to share her experience and deep conviction for the appropriate care, and rights for all. She is the proud mother, wife, and sister of disabled and differently-abled individuals, including her two autistic sons, her husband who lives with early onset Parkinson’s disease, and her twin sister, who is deaf and was the first person in life to teach her about differences and empathy. 

As she shares, “As a first-generation American, it is particularly important to me to bring awareness, acceptance, and inclusion to our communities for individuals with disabilities and neurodivergences.” Arfa’s passion for public service stems from her experience as a first-first-generation Muslim-American with special needs family members. We are grateful for the opportunity to have this discussion with Arfa and we look forward to having her with us again soon.

For more information:

https://www.bestbuddies.org/

https://marybarbera.com/

All autism talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).

The Autism Diagnosis Process: What to Expect

When it comes to parenting, the unknown can be one of the hardest parts. Worries creep in if you suspect something’s wrong with your child’s development. If you think your child may be showing signs of autism, there’s no guidebook to tell you what to do next.

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed. The process gets easier when you know what to expect.

If you’ve found your way to this post, you’ve likely taken the first step: questioning whether your child shows signs of autism.

Recognizing this possibility is a significant and sometimes challenging move. Rest assured, you’re not alone. This guide is here to provide you with valuable insights and support as you navigate through this process.

Understanding Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects how a person interacts, learns, and behaves. Everyone on the spectrum is different. Signs of autism usually start showing up when a child is very young.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Autism symptoms can be different for everyone. If your child is not growing or learning like other kids their age, or if they have any of the following signs, you might want to talk to your pediatrician:

  • Not smiling at others by six months
  • Not gesturing or pointing to communicate by 12 months
  • Not babbling by 12 months
  • Not using single words like “no,” “mama,” “dada” by 16 months
  • Not using two-word phrases like “want cup,” “go play” by 24 months
  • Not responding to sounds, voices, or their own name by three years
  • Poor eye contact by three years
  • Little interest in other children or caretakers by three years
  • Losing skills they once had at any point by three years

The Diagnosis Process

Getting a diagnosis of autism starts with an evaluation. Experts will examine how a child behaves and will look at their past development. If your child’s pediatrician thinks it might be autism, they’ll send your child to an expert for a closer look. This process includes:

  • A parent interview
  • Review of medical, psychological, and school records
  • Assessment of cognitive, developmental, and adaptive functioning skills
  • Observation of your child during play

What Happens Next?

After an autism evaluation, our team of specialists will review and interpret the results. If your child is diagnosed with autism, our team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. This plan includes therapies to help improve communication, social skills, and behavior.

At LEARN, we work with families on a plan tailored to your family’s needs. We will adjust the treatment plan as needed. We’ll also provide you with resources and support.

Whether you’re just noticing signs or you’re already deep into the diagnosis process, our team is here to help. We know that recognizing and diagnosing autism can be challenging. But with the right support and guidance, you can navigate it confidently.

Self-Care and Sensory Needs for Neurodivergent Individuals

Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a Neurodivergent Psychologist joins us to discuss discovering her own autism in the aftermath of her child’s diagnosis and how that has inspired her passion to support the neurodivergent community. Dr. Neff describes the experience of her autism revelation in this way, “For the first time in my life, my body made sense, my experience of self made sense, and it was a powerful moment of liberation.” We also delve into helpful strategies about sensory sensitivity and self-care that are helpful for adults and parents of children with autism.

For more information:

neurodivergentinsights.com

@neurodivergent_insights on Instagram

All Autism Talk (https://www.allautismtalk.com/) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (https://learnbehavioral.com).

How ABA Therapy Helped Our Children Succeed: Insights from Two BCBA Moms


In this informative video, two Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) moms, Heather and Trisha, share their personal experiences with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and how it has helped their children succeed. For more information about our ABA Therapy services, visit: https://lrnbvr.com/yt-aba-moms