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Survey finds many autistic children run away from their homes

By Staff Writer

More than half of parents of autistic children report that their kids have wandered away from their home or families and did not return for periods that were long enough to arouse concern, according to a recent survey conducted by the Interactive Autism Network.

Since many autistic children are under the constant supervision of parents or caregivers, they have a high risk of suffering from an injury if they walk off by themselves. The survey's findings showed that more than one-third of these kids who elope are unable to communicate their names, addresses or phone numbers. Moreover, two out of three parents of autistic children who wander reported that their child had a "close call" with being involved in a traffic accident.

Among the poll's adult respondents, 58 percent said that their autistic children's eloping tendencies were the most stressful behaviors associated with their disorder. More than half of these families indicated that they avoided outdoor activities due to the fear that their kids would bolt from the location.

Children who have an autism spectrum disorder may benefit from attending therapeutic boarding schools, where qualified staff can supervise their daily activities and promote personal growth.

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