What is elopement?

In cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), elopement refers to a diagnosed person intentionally running away or escaping or unintentionally wandering away from secure locations or from their caregivers. Elopement occurs in children and adults, though it is more common in children with ASD. While it would be very difficult to eliminate the chance of someone eloping, it is important that a caregiver or guardian take steps to understand why their loved one elopes and investigate therapy options that might help. ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) has been used to address elopement in people with ASD. Guardians or caretakers can seek services from an ABA clinic or ABA center to help their loved one.

Why does elopement occur?

Elopement can happen for many different reasons, and parents, guardians or caregivers must understand potential triggers or causes of elopement. Reasons for elopement will vary widely between different people, but below are some of the common reasons:

Seeking sensory stimulation:

It may simply be that the person eloping does not want to be where they are any longer or that they prefer to be somewhere else. They may want to go to another location to retrieve an item or complete a task. For example, a child may wander off because they want to get a specific book or toy from a certain store, or so that they can sit on their favorite bench in a park and listen to the birds. This can occur if someone is not being adequately stimulated in their environment.

Sensory overload:

Many people with ASD experience sensitivity to external stimuli. In contrast to the above, a person with ASD might elope to avoid overstimulation. For example, if they are in a space that feels overwhelming because of too many people or loud noises, they might leave due to the tension it causes them.

Stressful situation:

Someone with ASD who finds a particular situation stressful may not be able to regulate their feelings within that space and feel that they need to leave to find relief from the anxiety. For example, a person may find social situations very stressful and find themselves in one that they cannot manage.

Intense interests:

A person with ASD may develop intense interests in hobbies, interests, or objects. These interests can appear as fixations to others. Such a fixation may lead to someone eloping to pursue it. For example, a person with an intense interest in outer space might elope to go to a nearby planetarium or museum.

Communication issues:

A person with ASD may have trouble communicating their feelings or needs to others. It may be the case that in a stressful or overwhelming situation, someone is unable to communicate their discomfort effectively and may choose to leave rather than to remain in such a situation. If a person intentionally escapes or runs away from their home (or other secure space) or caregiver, they might be trying to communicate something, and their caregiver should try to understand what it may be in order to ensure all of their needs are being met.

Preventative measures:

Identify triggers:

Caregivers and guardians should try to identify what events or situations might trigger a loved one to elope. Being aware of triggers can help caretakers avoid them as much as possible or be on high alert when/ if they are present.

Teach your loved one safety skills:

Ensure that your loved one knows their particulars (especially children) or has them written down on a card or other document they keep. This can include a caregiver’s name, address, and contact details. This way, if a child has left their secure environment, someone can alert their caregiver or help to get them home. Teaching basic safety skills like crossing roads safely and identifying community members who can help (like police officers) will also be helpful if a child gets lost.

Therapy:

Therapeutic strategies such as ABA may be effective in managing elopements. Therapy may be especially helpful for children. Guardians can look for a local ABA clinic or ABA center and explain the triggers and contexts of their child’s elopement to a specialist who can assist.

Learn more about: https://insighthubster.online/