How to Keep Autistic Children From Wandering Off

Wandering is a characteristic of autism, which is a neurological disorder, denoted by developmental delays that affect social skills and communication. If your child has autism and he is between the ages of 4 and 7, he may be one of the 46 percent of wanderers. If he is between 8 and 11 years old, he is part of the 27 percent of autistic children that wander. According to a fact sheet put together by Dr. Terry Katz with JFK Partners at the University of Colorado at Denver, it is important for parents to understand that wandering is not due to inattentive parenting, but rather the result of an overwhelming curiosity.

Things You'll Need

  • Stop signs
  • Caution tape
  • Exterior door locks
  • Window and door alarms
  • Visual shopping list
  • Shopping cart
  • Hand-held toys

Instructions

    • 1

      Place stop signs in front of areas that you do not want your child to enter. When your child is lost in thought, a visual cue can work as a safe reminder not to wander from the area. You can also use caution tape as a visual cue.

    • 2

      Talk to your child about wandering, instructing her to stay in the yard, house and other designated areas. Explain the dangers that come with wandering to make her more aware of the situation.

    • 3

      Add an extra lock to the exterior doors of your home to keep your child from wandering out of the house. Place these locks at a height that is out of the reach of your child, but per advice from the Autism Society, check with a professional locksmith before doing so. Creating such a potentially dangerous situation, should fire or other disaster strike, is not a step to take lightly. A professional may advise that you choose a slide bolt or hook-and-eye lock -- something that you can open easily in case of an emergency. If you choose locks that require keys, keep the key where you can find it quickly -- above the door frame is a common spot.

    • 4

      Install alarms on the windows and doors of your home. The blaring sound of the alarm will alert you if your child opens them. Some alarms even play a recorded message that may really get your child̵7;s attention. You may also want to place the stop signs on the doors and windows as a visual prompt for your child.

    • 5

      Encourage your child to participate in shopping sprees. A visual list that contains pictures of what you will be purchasing will aid him in helping you as you shop. Allowing him to push the cart as you shop also keeps him in your view. Hand-held toys can also keep him occupied as you shop.

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