Research Studies

The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) is launching the nation’s first major survey on wandering and elopement in autism spectrum disorders. This crucial issue, identified as a top priority by autism advocates, has not been the subject of much research in the past. The new survey will provide vital information to families, advocates, and policy makers alike as they work to keep individuals with ASDs safe.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) of all ages may wander, elope, or “bolt,” putting themselves at risk of trauma, injury, or even death.

Families whose own loved one with ASD is prone to leaving safe spaces live in dread of outcomes like this, often taking expensive and exhausting measures to thwart elopement attempts and keep their child, of whatever age, safe.

Although similar behavior in Alzheimer’s disease has been studied,5 6 7 virtually no research has been done on this phenomenon in ASD. There is little information available to guide parents and caregivers trying to keep loved ones safe, or to aid advocates who are trying to convince policy makers that this is a major problem for families.

Now, funded by the Autism Research Institute, the Autism Science Foundation, Autism Speaks, and the Global Autism Collaboration, the Interactive Autism Network (IAN) is launching a national survey on Elopement and Wandering that will help researchers begin to document and understand elopement behavior in ASD.

The Elopement and Wandering Questionnaire will help researchers begin to answer important questions. How often do individuals with ASD attempt to elope, and how often do they succeed? Under what circumstances? Which individuals with ASD are most at risk? At what age? What burden do efforts to thwart elopement behavior place on caregivers? What can be done to protect individuals with ASD and to support their families?