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Autism, Wandering, and Water Safety: Information for Caregivers

If your child is missing, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Up to half of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will leave a safe place without telling anyone. This wandering behavior, also called elopement or bolting, often occurs when the child tries to get something they want or like, wants to escape overwhelming feelings or sensations, is transitioning, or is just exploring. 

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children with ASD, often as the result of wandering. This usually happens at home, but can happen at school, programming, or on an outing.

While this is a scary topic, there are ways to prepare for emergencies, prevent wandering and improve water safety. This webpage provides information to help you keep children with ASD safe.

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Lock windows, doors, yards and water sources

  • Install door locks, window locks and guards, visual cues, and/or fences to prevent wandering. With these modifications, consider how to evacuate your home in an emergency. Consider deadbolts high out of your child’s reach rather than locks with keys and create and practice an emergency evacuation plan.
  • If you have a pool, put up fencing, locks, and alarms. Make sure the pool is completely separated from the house and play areas. See Safety Tips for Pool Owners for more information.
  • Securing your home to prevent wandering can be expensive. You can find home modification loan resources, and free safety materials on the Autism, Wandering, and Water Safety: Financial Resources page.

Know the dangers in your neighborhood

  • Be aware of water sources near your home. You can identify pools, ponds, quarries, bogs, streams, retention ponds, seasonal and other water sources nearby using online maps.
  • Water sources like buckets, rain barrels, and water play equipment can be dangerous for very young, unsupervised children. Be sure to empty those and put them away.
  • If your child has special interests, take note of where those are, like nearby busy intersections or train tracks.

Use a tracking device to support supervision

  • A monitoring or tracking device could be right for your child if they tend to wander.
  • Tracking devices can help you and first responders find your child if they wander.
  • Some monitoring technologies use smart phone apps that can help you to locate your child or sound an alarm if a child leaves a designated area. Others use radio frequency and require police involvement.
  • When considering which device is best for your child, think about whether they are waterproof, how often they need to be charged, wearability, and removability.
  • Remember that tracking devices are helpful but do not replace active adult supervision.
  • More information about different products that are available and financial resources to help cover the costs, appears on the Financial Resources page (Under Development).

Write down key information to share with emergency responders

  • Maintain a file of information to quickly share with emergency responders if your child is missing. Include information like a current picture, areas of concern or interest near your home, how your child communicates and anything else you think will help responders quickly find your child.
  • Store this information in multiple safe and accessible places, like in your smartphone, on your fridge.
  • Tell temporary caregivers, like babysitters or family members, about where to find this information.
  • The National Autism Association Big Red Safety Box includes a first-responder profile form that can help.

Ask your child’s doctor, behavior specialist and teacher for help

  • Work with your child's healthcare provider, behavior specialist(s), and/or teachers to prevent and plan for wandering. Skills that can prevent and prepare for wandering include communicating needs or desires, recognizing dangerous situations, and seeking help.
  • Share your concerns with your child’s early intervention (EI), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), or other therapeutic providers, so they can work help identify and address the root cause of your child’s wandering behavior and practice help-seeking skills.
  • If your child is eligible for special education, reducing the risk of wandering can be added to your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). The National Autism Association Big Red Safety Box contains a sample IEP letter. Specialists from the Information Center at the Federation for Children with Special Needs are also available to answer questions about special education.
  • To find a behavior specialist, visit Treatment Connection or reach out to an Autism Support Center.
  • For more information about what services your child may be eligible for, visit an Autism Support Center near you.

Introduce your child to local police, fire and emergency medical technicians

  • Many local law enforcement and fire departments have programs to introduce your child to first responders at the station.
  • This helps your child become familiar with first responders and allows the departments to collect important information about your child, like their name, appearance, likes or dislikes, level of communication, and more to help them locate your child quickly and safely in an emergency.
  • Search for your town’s police or fire department and call ahead to ask if your local police or fire department has a program for children with ASD to meet first responders.
  • Ask to submit a disability indicator 911 form, which will alert 911 dispatchers to your child’s diagnosis when you call in an emergency.

Teach your child to swim and create safe water habits

  • The ability to swim can help your child stay calm and increase the time emergency responders have to locate your child. Still, entering water unsupervised is very dangerous, even with the ability to swim.
  • Swimming skills are a last resort and should be used along with the other tips on this webpage.
  • Create healthy water habits with your child by making a routine they follow before entering water. This can be unique to them and include getting an adult’s attention before getting into water. Use this routine anytime your child comes into contact with water, including baths.
  • Social stories about water safety can also help reinforce healthy water habits. Many water safety social stories are available online.
  • For a list of adaptive swimming lesson providers in Massachusetts, visit the Learn to Swim! page. Additional information about foundations that can help pay for lessons appear on the Financial Resources page (Under Development).

Tell your neighbors about your concerns and how to contact you

  • If you feel comfortable, introduce yourself and your child to your neighbors. Let them know your concerns so they can keep an eye out and make sure water (like pools and ponds) are safely secured.
  • Share your contact information with neighbors so they can quickly reach you if they locate your child wandering.
  • If your neighbors want more information about wandering and Autism Spectrum Disorder, encourage them to visit the [Autism, Wandering & Water Safety: Information for Community Members & Neighbors] webpage (Under Development)

Find Support

  • Constantly worrying about your child’s safety can be stressful and exhausting. You are not alone.
  • If you need support, consider reaching out to an Autism Support Center near you. These centers often provide information about respite care options, parental support groups, sibling support groups, care coordination, and navigation tips.
  • Your local Special Education Parental Advisory Council (SEPAC) can also help you navigate local options and connect you to other families. Search for your town name and “SEPAC” for more specific information.
  • The Parental Stress Line offers a safe place for parents and caregivers to talk about the challenges of raising children and receive kindness, understanding, and the non-judgmental support needed to help prevent a situation from escalating into a crisis. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact the Parental Stress Line, call 1-800-632-8188.

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