WeeklySA_AdminPATTERN: What you need to know about this worrying and stressful behaviour by autistic children…
By Morayo Ogunbayo
The warmer weather often means more days spent near the water, whether that’s a nearby lake, the beach or a pool. However, for parents and caregivers of children with autism, days by the water can mean dodging dangers at every turn—especially for kids who elope or wander away unsupervised.
Experts say this behaviour can be a constant stressor in their lives and one of the major hindrances to keeping their child safe.
“There is some evidence that elopement is one of the leading contributors to kids on the spectrum having double the premature death rate of their neuro-typical peers, and drowning is the biggest factor in the elopement category,” Dr Nathan Call, vice president of Marcus Autism Centre, a subsidiary of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
While not all autistic people are drawn to water, it is possible for some to develop a special relationship with it, explained Dr Maneesha Agarwal, an emergency room physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
“They may like the visual aspect of shimmering water, the sounds of the water rippling or splashing, the tactile sensation of water on skin and the sense of pressure against the body,” Agarwal told the AJC.
Elopement can also occur away from bodies of water and can be driven by any number of special interests. “We saw a kid not long ago who was really into ceiling fans,” Call said. “Sometimes, without telling anyone, he would leave his house and walk into the neighbour’s house and turn on their ceiling fans.”
Other common risks associated with elopement include children walking into traffic or falling victim to abduction. According to Call, the Marcus Autism Centre has been conducting trials to find ways to curb the behaviour.
“Between the ages of 4 and 7, 46% of kids on the spectrum have a history of elopement, whereas 11% of neuro-typical kids eloped in that age range,” said Call. “By age 8 or so, elopement is very rare in neuro-typical kids, but still occurs in about a quarter of kids on the autism spectrum.”
What should you do if your child struggles with wandering away?
Parents and caregivers of children with autism should always be “water-competent” and able to perform CPR in case the unthinkable happens, says Agarwal. She also recommends parents place as many barriers between the child and bodies of water as possible. Any pool should be enclosed by a 4-foot-high fence with a self-latching gate.
“If you know or have concerns that your child may wander, invest in technology to notify you if this happens,” Agarwal suggested. “If your child goes missing, the first place you should always check is any nearby bodies of water.”
Places the child frequents, such as school or summer camp, should be informed of their behaviour and aware of the nearest bodies of water to better protect your child. Parents should also identify the highest risk areas near their home and enlist neighbours to keep watch.
“A really determined child on the spectrum can be hard to stop and monitor,” Call warns. In general, it is always best to be overly cautious when it comes to a child who elopes.
“If you cannot guarantee appropriate supervision of your child at a pool party, it’s best to skip it altogether,” Agarwal said.
How can friends and family help?
For friends and family members of people raising autistic children, there are steps you can take to assist those struggling with elopement.
“In the age that we’re in, fewer and fewer people feel comfortable getting involved with someone else’s kid, and families may need to give permission to the people in their community and in their neighbourhood to step in if they see a child who isn’t being supervised,” Call told the AJC.
“One of the first things to do is talk to the neighbours and let them know.’If you see my kid wandering without me around, please step in. It is OK to stop them. Here is my contact information.’”
If you are unable to physically assist families struggling with elopement in person, there are still many ways to support them emotionally. Meeting children on the autism spectrum where they are and helping them in the way they need is the best way to proceed.
“It’s unfortunate that sometimes families who are trying to raise a child who elopes are occasionally viewed as part of the problem,” Call said.
“We absolutely have seen parents who are taking heroic level efforts, going to extreme lengths to try to keep that child safe, and still struggle with that.”
It is estimated that worldwide about 1 in 100 children has autism, according to the World Health Organization. This estimate represents an average figure, and reported prevalence varies substantially across studies. Some well-controlled studies have, however, reported figures that are substantially higher.
Autism in Africa is understudied and there is limited data on the prevalence of the condition. However, studies suggest that the prevalence of autism in Africa is similar to other parts of the world.
However, there have been positive developments in recent years, according to research. For instance, the establishment of the Centre for Autism Research in Cape Town, South Africa, contributes to research initiatives in Africa and beyond, aiming to raise awareness and comprehension of autism and promote the rights and interests of individuals with autism and their families. – Additional reporting by Weekly SA Mirror
