My son is a free spirit...he is very curious about his surroundings. He just turned 6 years old and well I have been having an issue with him waundering while he is outside playing. I had allowed him to go outside to play last Friday I quickly had to use the restroom and when I came back out of the bathroom he was out of sight. I had no idea where he went. I searched and searched for him till I found him in a neighbors' apt...she is an older lady that had her grandchildren there. I have talks with him about not going over to someone's house unless I know them and he asks if its okay...I have had the stranger danger talk MANY times...it doesn't seem to phase him....He runs in the parking lot like he's in his own world....I have also found that while I am sleeping he will exit my home thourgh the back door....I don't know what to do...I have been waking up extra early so that he won't sneek out of our home...and into things in the kitchen...I have been outside with him every where he goes (but I want him to be able to play)...now he's going camping with my brother, my sil, and his cousins and WORRY that he will waunder then too...What do you suggest I do???? I am wondering if I should contact his doctor about his increasing lack of fear of EVERYTHING dangerous..........it is scaring me!!!!
Giving the fact that he does wonder away I don't think I'd let him go camping without me. That's just my opinion. I am sure your brother is capable but autistic kids are different in the way they see things. My son will wonder away but I am always with him. Try putting a child safety lock on your backdoor up high where he cant reach it, Also put them on your cabinets. I know how frustrating it can be. Just hang in there and child proof everything. Good luck .Oh and try using a backpack harness on him when you are walking in parking lots,etc. I use one and it has saved my son from getting hit by a car. I do get a few nasty looks but his safety comes first and foremost.
Actually, I think that wandering is a very-dare I say it?-typical behavior for people with autism,no matter where on the spectrum they fall.my 13 y/o is asperger's syndrome(a type of high-functioning autism) and he is prone to wandering when he is in public or unfamiliar surroundings.On the "flip side",I have a friend who has 2 boys on the spectrum;1 is moderate,the other severe,and because her younger,more severely autistic son is not only prone to wander off,but has actually escaped out of the house-once in the middle of the night even though it was only right in front of their house but still... so now, they have to childproof the house with everything from cabinet latches to window locks,almost as though they had a toddler instead of a 9 y/o boy.
As far as the camping trip goes,I would say that if you are that concerned about your son's wanderings,than perhaps you or your DH should accompany them on the trip.Hope everything works out.
communion
- thetrivetts
on Jul. 15, 2009 at 12:08 PM