As parents, keeping our children safe is a priority. For those raising youth with intellectual
disabilities, ADHD, or autistic youth, safety can present unique challenges. While every
individual is different, with the right strategies, you can help create a safe and supportive
environment that fosters their independence while minimizing risk.
Elopement: Preventing Wandering and Running Away
Elopement, or wandering away from a safe environment, is a significant concern for many
neurodivergent children and youth. Often elopement is not intentional and happens during
moments of dysregulation. Some individuals may have a harder time understanding danger or
may follow a train of thought or interest to another space, which is sometimes unsafe wandering.
What You Can Do:
Pay Attention to Patterns in Wanderings:
Look for patterns, does your child wander because of curiosity, sensory overload,
anxiety, or seeking out objects of interest (e.g., water or playgrounds)? Identifying
these triggers can help prevent it. And note where they go when they feel safe. They may try to go to specific places when triggered that they have gone to before in moments of distress OR go somewhere they enjoy.
Secure Your Home:
Install locks out of your child’s reach, and add door alarms or motion detectors to
alert you if they try to leave.
Install non-climbable fences to secure outdoor spaces, particularly near busy
streets or bodies of water.
Tracking and Awareness:
Consider using GPS devices, wristbands, or medical alert tags to track your child.
Use ID bracelets or cards with your child’s name, emergency contacts, and relevant safety information. These devices can offer peace of mind in case of an emergency.
Teach Safe Places:
Teach your child to recognize safe places, such as libraries or community centers, where they can seek help if lost. And who to approach if they are lost.
Involve Others:
Inform neighbours, teachers, and local authorities about your child’s risk of
wandering. Share a recent photo and tips for calming your child in emergencies.
Consider enrolling your child in a vulnerable person’s registry with local police.
This ensures emergency responders are aware of your child’s needs.
Water Safety
For many neurodivergent children and youth, water can be both fascinating and dangerous. This
is especially concerning when paired with elopement, as children who wander may head toward
lakes, rivers, pools, or other bodies of water without recognizing the risks. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in neurodivergent children, so water safety should be a
top priority.
What You Can Do:
Supervise Near Water:
Always ensure your child is supervised near pools, lakes, bathtubs, or other bodies of water.
Even for older youth, supervision is still important in unfamiliar or unsupervised areas.
Secure Water Areas:
If you have a pool, install fences, alarms, or pool covers to prevent unsupervised areas.
If your child is drawn to water, take extra precautions near ponds, rivers, or beaches when out in the community.
Teach Swimming and Water Safety Skills:
Enroll your child in swimming lessons suited to their abilities and comfort level.
Teach them basic safety skills, such as floating, treading water, and recognizing when to seek help.
Many neurodivergent youth benefit from 1 on 1 lessons for swimming.
Practice Water Safety Rules:
Reinforce the importance of always having an adult present near water. Use stories or visual aids to explain safety expectations.
Set Clear Boundaries:
Establish specific rules about where it is safe to swim or play in water (e.g., staying within marked areas, not entering water alone), and try to ensure your child understands the potential dangers of unfamiliar or unsupervised water environments.
Use Life Jackets When Needed:
If you child struggles with swimming or water awareness, ensure they wear a properly fitted life jacket when around open water.
Safety in the Home
Creating a secure and predictable home environment can help reduce risks and make it easier for
your child to understand safety expectations. Neurodivergent youth may not instinctively
recognize dangers.
What You Can Do:
Prevent Accidents:
Lock away hazardous items such as medications, cleaning supplies, and sharp
objects.
Ensure furniture and heavy objects are anchored to prevent injury if bumped or
moved. Keep pathways clear to reduce tripping hazards, especially in areas your
child frequently uses
Fire and Emergency Preparedness:
Practice emergency drills so your child knows what to do in case of fire, a natural
disaster, or other emergencies. It is often beneficial to have visuals in the home
related to safety plans.
As your youth becomes more independent, they can take on more responsibility in
emergency drills. Teach them how to identify hazards, how to contact emergency
services, and how to execute an emergency evacuation on their own if necessary.
Safety in the School and Community
Schools and community environments play a crucial role in supporting the safety and well-being
of your child. Collaboration with educators, counselors, and others can ensure their specific
needs are met. The following are particularly important if you have a youth who has tried to leave
school property.
What You Can Do:
Teach Safety Rules:
Use visual cues, social stories, and role-playing to teach your child about dangers such as fire hazards, sharp objects, and traffic. For example, “Stop, look, and listen” when crossing streets.
Set clear expectations before outings and practice safety procedures, such as staying close
Walk the school boundary and provide visuals to support the understanding of school boundaries
Recognizing Abuse and Unsafe Situations:
Help your child understand safe touch and boundaries. Teach them to recognize when something feels “wrong” or “unsafe,” and encourage them to speak up or seek help.
Social stories and visual aids can also help clarify situations in which they may be at risk of harm.
Promote Sensory Support:
Identify quiet areas or designated safe spaces at school where your child can go
when feeling overwhelmed.
Ensure they have access to tools like noise-canceling headphones or fidget items when needed
Prevent Bullying:
Teach Self-Advocacy: Help your youth understand their rights, how to recognize
bullying, and how to ask for help when needed. Role-playing different scenarios
can build their confidence in navigating social situations.
Identify Signs of Bullying: Keep an eye out for signs of bullying, such as
changes in behavior, withdrawal from activities, or reluctance to go to school or
social events.
Establish a Safety Plan:
Work with the school and community programs to create a tailored safety plan
that includes emergency contact information, strategies for de-escalating behavior,
and the best ways to keep your child engaged and safe.
Check out this handy Autism Safety Kit by Autism Speaks, designed to help families prevent and respond to wandering in children and adults with autism.
We Are Here to Help!
WonderTree can help create personalized safety plans tailored to your child's unique needs. Our team understands that every child is different, and we work with families to develop strategies that promote safety, independence, and confidence in various environments.
If you want to get started on support first:
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IMPORTANT: Information shared by WonderTree is not intended to replace or be constituted as clinical or medical care. It’s intended for educational purposes only. Each child is unique, and the information provided may not be applicable to your specific situation. If you need support, please establish care with a licensed provider so that they can provide tailored recommendations for you or your child. This blog is non-monetized.
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