Summer and autism Archives

For many families raising a child with autism, one of the biggest fears is a child slipping away. That might mean walking out the front door, leaving the playground or disappearing into a crowd. This behavior, often called “wandering” or “elopement,” can happen in a matter of seconds. It’s more than stressful. In some cases, it can be life-threatening.

Summer brings even more opportunities for this to happen. Routines shift, outings increase, and kids are often near water, one of the biggest safety hazards for children with autism. Understanding why wandering happens and how to prevent it can help families stay prepared and safe.

What Is Wandering?

Wandering happens when a child leaves a safe place without permission or supervision. This can include leaving home, school, a playground, or a caregiver in public.

In children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it’s especially common. A 2012 study in Pediatrics found that nearly half of children with autism had tried to wander or run away at least once after age 4. Of those, 26% were missing long enough to cause concern.

The reasons vary. Some children may seek out a place they enjoy, such as water. Others may run to escape overwhelming sounds, sights, or situations. But no matter the cause, the risk is high.

Why Summer Brings Added Risk

Wandering can happen any time of year, but summer adds new layers of risk. Families are more likely to be out of their routines, exploring new places, or visiting pools, lakes, and beaches. New environments can be exciting, disorienting, or overstimulating for kids with autism.

Water presents the greatest danger. According to the National Autism Association, accidental drowning accounted for 71% of all deaths resulting from wandering in children with autism under age 15.

And it can happen fast. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that it takes as little as 20 seconds for a child to drown.

Safety Strategies That Can Help

Many families aren’t told about wandering risks when their child is first diagnosed. But there are proactive steps that can help reduce danger.

Swim lessons are one of the most effective strategies. Some insurance plans may cover swim lessons for children with autism as part of behavioral treatment. Read more in Why Swimming and Water Play Benefit Kids with ASD.

Families can also partner with a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) to teach safety skills. BCBAs can support children in tolerating wearable tracking devices, reducing bolting behaviors, and recognizing safe adults or “community helpers.”

Other tools include:

Personal ID wristbands or GPS trackers

Secure fencing or home alarms

Creating emergency plans with neighbors

Registering with local police or Smart911.com, which lets families share medical or behavioral information that pops up for 911 dispatchers

Planning Ahead Brings Peace of Mind

Not every child with autism wanders. But for those who do, preparation can save lives.

Summer outings should be fun, not stressful. These 5 Steps to Swim Safety for Your Child with Autism offer practical tips families can use right away.

For more information on wandering and autism safety planning, visit the National Autism Association’s Big Red Safety Toolkit.

by Ronit Molko, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Strategic Advisor, LEARN Behavioral

What a difference a year can make. Last June, most parents were forced to reckon with the prospect of extended, pandemic-related lockdowns and a summer unlike any since the 1918 influenza pandemic. Now, however, summer has arrived, the sun is shining, and with more than 50 percent of American adults now vaccinated against COVID-19, it seems that we might just be on the verge of a summer season that’s almost normal.

Various studies have shown that, on average, American students lose up to one month’s worth of school year learning during the summer. And while summer vacation is a necessary respite for kids, it will be critical for parents to keep their children mentally engaged to ensure they start the next school year in as strong of a position as possible. What can help?

Take A Trip

Whether it’s a weekend cruise up the Pacific Coast Highway or a quick day trip to that state park you haven’t visited this decade, take the opportunity to get your family out of the house whenever possible. There’s a whole world to explore out there, with lessons and experiences that only travel can teach.

Tip: Try picking out a fun audiobook to listen to during the drive. This will keep your children familiar and engaged with narrative-based storytelling, while also providing your family with a conversation in which everyone can take part.

Find A Summer Camp

Great news: both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have released guidance declaring summer camps in 2021 safe for children!

“Children have missed out on many of the social, emotional, intellectual, and developmental benefits of school attendance this past year,” the AAP states. “During the summer, it is important that children begin to reestablish connections with their friends, peers, and non-parental adults in an environment that supports their development.”

There are few formative, developmental experiences more profound than those found in summer camps. And while it may feel too late in the year to register for these programs, there are still plenty of opportunities. Cities and communities ranging from New York City to Tulsa, Oklahoma, are committing hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to summer programs that provide academic coursework and social enrichment. Keep an eye out for similar programs in your area, many of which are sponsored by local schools, churches, and organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Make Plans and Maintain a Routine

For many, the abrupt absence of the predictable schooling ecosystem can create a vacuum difficult to replicate. This is particularly true for children diagnosed with autism, who can be negatively affected by sudden change, leading to increased anxiety and frustration. Help ease your child’s transition by maintaining daily routines, such as mealtimes, organized play, and bedtime. In the same vein, be sure to plan out activities for your child on a daily basis—whether it’s a trip to the park or a quick game of catch in the back yard.

Most children have roughly 1,000 hours of free time to explore during the summer. And while it’s not completely necessary for you to delicately plan every minute, some semblance of structure will be crucial to maintaining an engaging, albeit long break for your kids.

Out-of-the-Box Learning Activities

A period with unlimited time allows for activities with unlimited imagination! Keep your children mentally stimulated by introducing games and challenges that force them to think outside the box. Try some of these colorful, sensory summer games to get your kids excited and keep them mentally stimulated. Don’t forget, too, about board games and card games, which can foster not only math skills like ordering, addition, subtraction, and more advanced arithmetic but also communication and cognitive skills like problem-solving and strategizing. This list of kid-friendly card games from Today’s Parent is a great place to find ideas.

As we ease back into socializing and community activities, there are many options to keep your children engaged all summer long. Remember: you don’t have to fill every second of your child’s life with enriching activities, but you do want to sprinkle them in—and do what you can to create a mix of relaxation and stimulation.

For more advice on planning a great summer for your child with autism, read “Transitioning to Summer: 5 Tips to Make It a Success.”

Tag: Summer and autism

Why Wandering Is a Serious Risk for Kids With Autism, Especially in Summer

What Is Wandering?

Why Summer Brings Added Risk