Autism Science Foundation: IAN Wandering Survey Results

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/New-Data-Show-50--of-Children-with-Autism-Wander.html?soid=1102564308585&aid=NGS7girZqxM Reposted with permission from http://www.autismsciencefoundation.org/
April 20, 2011 
New Data Show 50% of Children 
with Autism Wander
32% of Families Report a "Close Call" with Possible Drowning
Today, the Interactive Autism Network(IAN), www.ianproject.org, the nation's largest online autism research project, reported preliminary results of the first major survey on wandering and elopement among individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The wandering and elopement survey found that approximately half of parents of children with autism report that their child elopes, with the behavior peaking at age four. Among these families, nearly 50% say that their child went missing long enough to cause significant concern about safety.

"This survey is the first research effort to scientifically validate that elopement is a critical safety issue for the autism community," said Dr. Paul Law, Director of the IAN Project at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. "We hope that advocates and policy makers use this research to implement key safety measures to support these families and keep these children safe."

"Gathering this information is the first step toward implementing public policy changes that will protect our children" said Alison Singer, president of the Autism Science Foundation. "We need to increase awareness and action among first responders, school administrators and residential facility administrators; we need to develop a medical classification code for wandering; and we need to expand the AMBER alert systems to protect children with autism."

In just three weeks, more than 800 parents of children with autism completed the survey. The findings highlighted below summarize the compelling results and crucial safety concerns identified by parents. For the preliminary findings in their entirety, read the IAN Research Report: Elopement and Wandering.

Dangers of Elopement
The tendency of individuals with ASD to wander or "bolt" puts them at risk of trauma, injury or even death:
More than one third of children who elope are never or rarely able to communicate their name, address, or phone number verbally or by writing/typing
Two in three parents report their missing children had a "close call" with a traffic injury
32% of parents report a "close call" with a possible drowning

Effect of Wandering on Families
Wandering was ranked among the most stressful ASD behaviors by 58% of parents of elopers
· 62% of families of 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
· Children with ASD are eight times more likely to elope between the ages of 7 and 10 than their typically-developing siblings

Resources, Support for Families
Half of families with elopers report they had never received advice or guidance about elopement from a professional
· Only 19% had received such support from a psychologist or mental health professional
· Only 14% had received guidance from their pediatrician or another physician


Motivations for Elopement
Despite speculation that summer is the peak season for elopement, 67% of parents of elopers said they saw no seasonal pattern at all; only 25% felt summer was the peak season. The top 5 reasons parents believed their children eloped included:


Enjoys exploring (54%)
Heads for a favorite place (36%)
Escapes demands/anxieties (33%)
Pursues special topic (31%)
Escapes sensory discomfort (27%)

After further analysis of the data the IAN Project will publish additional findings, such as how children with ASD who wander differ from children with ASD who do not, the financial and emotional burden on parents, and the steps parents take to prevent elopement. 

This research was funded by the Autism Research Institute, Autism Science Foundation, Autism Speaks and Global Autism Collaboration.