Creve Coeur Mo

Protecting autistic children from wandering off

By Talia Kaplan

Creve Coeur, MO (KSDK) - A 10-year-old boy with special needs is safe after running away from school on Monday. Doctors say so-called "autism-related wandering" is common for people with developmental issues including autism.

"Parker is five and a half. He was diagnosed with autism when he was two," said Amy Lim of Creve Coeur.

Lim says in the past two weeks, her son, Parker, ran away from home twice.

"It is really difficult going out in public or even just at home. If he chooses to leave the yard he will find a way to do it," said Lim.

Dr. Rolanda Maxim is Parker's developmental pediatrician and the medical director of the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center. She says there are many patients she sees who have a tendency to wander and they usually start running away at the age of 4.

"We see that in 50 percent of the cases children with autism will have at least one time in life where they elope," said Dr. Maxim.

Dr. Maxim says children with autism typically run away because they like to explore, they are feeling anxious, or for no reason at all. She says this is a major problem.

"During the elopement they are at risk of drowning, of getting into a car accident," said Dr. Maxim.

Dr. Maxim recommends the website www.autismspeaks.com , specifically the autism safety tool kit at www.nationalautismassociation.org/safetytoolkit , for a list of some helpful tips to make sure your child stays safe.

Amy Lim is using some of the sites suggestions. She installed hard to reach locks on all the doors in her home, she activates an alarm to let her know when Parker gets out of the house, and she recently registered him with the police department.

Dr. Maxim also recommends a personal GPS that could track the child down or a service dog which, could be leashed up to the child and make sure the child is protected.

Lim says she pays thousands of dollars for all these safety measures. She pays out of pocket and insurance does not cover her expenses related to autism care. This year legislation passed stating any in state insurance company is mandated to pay for therapies related to autism care. For more information visit www.autismspeaks.org .

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