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One-Third Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Wander Away

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More than one in three children with autism spectrum disorders in the USA have strayed away from a safe environment in the past 12 months, a new study reports.

Andrew Adesman, senior researcher and Chief of Developmental Pediatrics at Cohen Children’s Medical Centre of New York, said that,

Elopement, or wandering, places children with autism spectrum disorders at risk of serious injury or even death once they are away from adult supervision.

He adds, “Despite its clear relevance to the safety of these children, there has been little research on elopement.”

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name given to a group of developmental disorders that are characterized by a wide range of symptoms such as difficulty in social interactions, repetitive behaviors, inability to express verbal and non-verbal communication. Levels of disability vary, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

The study examined information gathered from a Centre for Disease Control and Prevention survey of parents and guardians of over 4,000 children aged six to 17, diagnosed with ASD.

The researchers found that the children who wandered away were less likely to realize danger, have difficulty telling the difference between strangers and familiar faces, tended to get angry quickly and panicked in new situations or changes in routine. The study also discovered that wanderers were more than twice as likely to stray from a public place, compared to more familiar places like schools or homes.

Bridget Kiely, one of the researchers, said, “As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in the United States continues to rise, there is a need to better understand the behaviors that may compromise the safety and well-being of these children.” It is hoped that these results are a step towards protecting and helping children with ADS.

The study’s findings were presented at the yearly meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in Baltimore, Maryland.

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