Safety on the spectrum: From playground elopement to police encounters

One of the most frightening things for a parent and caregivers of autistic children is when your child isn't where they're supposed to be. 

The risk of elopement, or wandering off, is higher for autistic children, who also tend to be attracted to water. As children with autism get older and especially if they start to drive, the potential for misunderstandings with law enforcement increases. 

Yesterday’s fear was a backyard pool. Tomorrow's fear is a flashing blue light. Both require the same foundation of community awareness and family readiness.  

Stephanie Coleman, autism family educator with Kansas Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND), discussed this topic with experts from law enforcement during the Family Education Series in January (available on YouTube). 

“This is such an important topic for all of us,” Coleman, who is also the parent of a son with autism. “I had elopement issues with my child in the past, and we've had interactions with police. So, it's always good for me knowing that other families are prepared and ready for these experiences.” 

By age 21, nearly 20% of autistic youth have been stopped by police and questioned, and 5% have been arrested, a 2017 study found.

Negative encounters with law enforcement can heighten fears about future interactions, according to a survey of autistic individuals in 2022. This highlights why training is so important. 

Undersheriff Matthew Kelly, of Miami County, and Amanda Rendazzo, Dispatch Shift Supervisor at the Riley County Sheriff Department, joined Coleman for the webinar. They discussed what their departments are doing to support individuals with autism and related disabilities in their communities. 

Here are five things law enforcement officials suggested to improve safety, communication, and support for autistic and intellectually or developmentally disabled individuals. 

Register for Local Alert Programs 

If your community has a safety initiative, register ahead of time so law enforcement and first responders are aware of vital information. This free, voluntary, and confidential database can include details such as an individual’s diagnosis, potential triggers, and calming techniques. 

“So, when we show up to this house, we have all this information readily available for us should we need that when responding,” Kelly said. His department participates in the Premise Alert program. 

In Riley County, a similar program is called Project Guardian. Randazzo echoed the value of this type of information. For example, if a dog unit is on a search and rescue mission to find a lost child, it helps to know whether that child is terrified of dogs or if they love dogs.

Details in the reports can also help law enforcement build trust to deescalate stressful situations. 

“My kiddo, if you start talking to him about Five Nights at Freddy’s, then you’ll be his best friend for life. So, we want those little bits of information that we put on the form,” Randazzo said. 

Utilize Visual Identifiers 

On homes or vehicles, visual identifiers can alert first responders and law enforcement that an occupant may be non-verbal, resist instructions, or be unaware of danger. Kelly said his department in Miami County has stickers available to the public to help identify special needs, whether it be because they have autism, a cognitive disability, or a medical condition.  

In Johnson County, a similar initiative is called “Take Me Home,” which is also part of a local alert program. People can get a sticker through police to let them know someone in a vehicle has special needs and is part of their region’s local alert program. 

Another option is the Blue Envelope Program. Autistic individuals or their families can obtain a blue envelope from their participating local police department.  

The blue envelope can include the driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance card, and emergency contact information. Instructions on the outside of the envelope explain to the driver what to expect and how to behave, such as to be aware of flashing lights and to keep hands on the wheel. Instructions on the reverse can guide the officer to simplify requests and reach out to the list of emergency contacts if needed. 

“I think it's really cool because they don't have to have a sticker on their car,” Coleman said. “But they can put their information in in a blue envelope so if they do get pulled over, they have that blue envelope that alerts the officer.” 

Create and Update an Emergency Information Packet 

The risk of elopement, wandering off alone, is high for children with autism. In a 2019 study, 68% of caregivers of autistic children reported their child had eloped. The risk increases for children who have limited communication skills. 

In case emergency help is needed, Coleman suggested families keep a detailed document that includes a current photo and a physical description, their diagnosis, favorite places to go, “attraction to water” or other alerts, calming phrases they can use, and other relevant information. 

Kansas LEND has a free Kansas Elopement Awareness & Preparedness Toolkit available as a PDF download to help parents be prepared, along with a video presentation on Elopement.

Update the packet every year and make sure the documents are easy to find, such as on their refrigerator. In an emergency, make sure you can find the information you need easily.

She also suggested writing down the dates and times of elopements, including details such as where the child was when they ran off and where they were found. 

“When your child elopes, you're not thinking straight. You are worried. You are scared to death. You're not thinking. You don't know some of these things,” Coleman said.  

Facilitate Proactive "Meet and Greets" 

People can arrange for their child or adult family member to meet local officers, first responders, and dispatchers in non-emergency settings. This can help build trust and help the individual become familiar with uniformed officials and their equipment. 

For autistic individuals who drive, Randazzo suggested they ask their local law enforcement about conducting a mock traffic stop, which has helped new drivers in her community. 

“We have had scenarios where we do like mock traffic stops for kiddos that are first learning to drive,” Randazzo said. “It teaches them that this is what to expect from the officer. This is what you should do. And it has been extremely beneficial to these kiddos so they're not scared about driving.”

Advocate for Department Training 

Learn what programs your police or sheriff departments have to support people on the autism spectrum. If local law enforcement doesn’t have a program in place, Coleman encouraged people to advocate for themselves.  

“Go to your local police department. Go to your local sheriff's office and say, ‘Hey, my child is on the autism spectrum,’” Coleman said. “‘I would love it if you all would learn from other counties or other departments on how to best support my child.’”

Watch the entire video from Kansas Lend about Autism and Law Enforcement.