Today, the Interactive Autism Network (IAN), www.ianproject.org, the nation’s largest online autism research project, reveals the preliminary results of the first major survey on wandering and elopement among individuals with autism and announces the launch of a new research survey on the association between pregnancy factors and autism . The wandering and elopement survey found that approximately half of the parents of children with autism report that their child elopes, with the behaviour 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 policymakers use this research to implement key safety measures to support these families and keep these children safe.”

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.

Dangers of Elopement

The tendency of individuals with autism 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 autism 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 autiusm 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 autism 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.

Pregnancy and Birth Questionnaire

The IAN Project also announces today the launch of a new research survey to explore the association between potential pregnancy- and birth-related factors and autism . The research initiative will explore:

• Use of fertility treatments
• Pregnancy complications
• Illness or infection during pregnancy
• Medications taken during pregnancy
• Number of ultrasounds
• Induction of labor and birth complications

“It is very common for a woman whose child receives an autism diagnosis to agonize about possible causes, and to focus especially on her pregnancy or the child’s birth,” said Dr. Law.