Research shows:
-Roughly half, or 49%, of children with autism attempt to wander/elope from a safe environment.
-This rate is nearly four times higher than their unaffected siblings, indicating it is not an issue of parent neglect or bad parenting.
-From 2009 to 2011, 23% of autism-related wandering deaths happened while in the care of someone other than a parent.
-Half of families with elopers report they have never received advice or guidance about wandering/elopement from a professional.
-62% percent of families with 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.
To learn more about autism-related wandering, visit AWAARE |dot| org. For tips on wandering prevention, visit AutismSafety |dot| org.