What Is Elopement in Autism?

Elopement—also known as wandering—is a common behavior among children with autism. It refers to when a child leaves a safe environment without permission, often placing themselves in potentially dangerous situations. According to the National Autism Association, 49% of autistic children have attempted to elope, and the behavior typically peaks between ages 4 and 7.

Understanding the causes of elopement is the first step toward reducing its frequency and improving safety.

Top Causes of Elopement in Autistic Children

1. Sensory Overload or Sensory Seeking

Many children with autism experience sensory processing differences. They may find certain environments too loud, bright, or overwhelming, leading them to flee. Others may seek out sensory-rich experiences—like spinning fans, running water, or flashing lights—and wander off in pursuit of them.

2. Communication Difficulties

Children with limited or nonverbal communication skills may elope as a way to express a need or emotion. Elopement becomes a nonverbal message, saying “I’m upset,” “I need a break,” or “I don’t understand.”

3. Escaping Demands or Transitions

Some children elope to avoid non-preferred activities, such as schoolwork, chores, or social interaction. Elopement can function as a behavioral response to challenging expectations or transitions.

4. Anxiety and Fight-or-Flight Responses

Autistic children often experience anxiety in social or unfamiliar settings. For some, running away is a natural response to overwhelming fear, acting as a way to self-soothe or find safety.

5. Impulsivity and Poor Executive Function

Children on the autism spectrum may also struggle with impulse control and planning. In some cases, they may run impulsively without a clear goal or without recognizing potential dangers.

6. Goal-Directed Wandering

Not all elopement is escape behavior. Sometimes children are simply trying to reach a desired location—like a favorite playground, a relative’s house, or even a store they remember.

7. One of the most common, yet unknown, triggers for elopement is phenol sensitivity. Elopement is from many things but the sensory overload and impulsivity also come from phenols known to contribute to eloping. 

Phenols are the natural colorings in foods such as in fruits and vegetables. Phenols are also in the artificial colorings that are in yogurt, candy, and popsicles, etc. Used industrially, they help form and are contained in plastics. They can be an allergen, whether from food or plastic products. People with poor methylation are often phenol sensitive. It is very common for children on the autism spectrum to be allergic to phenols. This is often due to an ill digestive tract.

Normally the body could properly utilize and eliminate phenols. Phenols and salicylates are in most foods. Candida/yeast overgrowth and leaky gut contribute to phenol sensitivity. Leaky gut will allow these chemicals to enter the bloodstream in high 

concentrations. This alarms the body and triggers an immune response which creates an allergy to these chemicals.

Proteins contain sulfites which turn to sulfates in the body. Sulfates assist with detoxification and digestion. People on the autism spectrum often have trouble digesting proteins, thus causing a deficiency in sulfates. This along with a weakened liver can cause difficulty digesting and eliminating phenolic chemicals.

Phenols are a natural chemical. Salicylates are a type of phenol. They are chemically similar to aspirin. Many people who are phenol sensitive are also allergic to salicylates. These sensitivities create a multitude of physical and behavioral problems.

Common symptoms from phenol sensitivity: 

• Out of context and unusual laughing 
• Erotic moods and behavior 
• Eloping 
• Night waking 
• Constipation 
• Diarrhea 
• Headaches 
• Cravings for phenolic foods 
• Red ears.

You can learn all about phenols in my podcast #181 titled, Understanding Dietary Triggers: Oxalates, Salicylates, Phenols and Histamines in Autism.

Placing video monitors in his room, and swimming pool sensors on the doors and windows 

Why Elopement Is So Dangerous

Elopement can be life-threatening because many autistic children:

• Don’t understand danger or traffic rules
• May not respond when called by name
• Might be drawn to hazardous areas like water or train tracks

This is why prevention and early intervention are crucial.

How to Prevent Elopement in Children with Autism

1. Conduct a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

An FBA helps determine the root cause of the elopement and guides behavior intervention planning.

2. Implement Safety Measures

Consider GPS trackers, door alarms, secure fencing, and identification bracelets.

3. Teach Safety and Response Skills

Practice name recognition, stopping on command, and walking safely in the community.

4. Use Visual Supports and Social Stories

Help your child understand boundaries and expectations through visual schedules, social narratives, and positive reinforcement.

5. Advocate for Elopement Supports in School

If your child elopes in school settings, their IEP should include a safety plan, 1:1 support, or proactive supervision.

6. Be sure to keep your child on a low phenol, low salicylate and low histamine diet. Get my free food guide to assist you in removing inflammatory and toxic foods too. Get the guide at autismcheatsheet.com.
7. Medication is NOT the answer: One study, Elopement Patterns and Caregiver Strategies noted that medications were rated as having low effectiveness for elopement, whether taken off-label for eloping or for other reasons.

Elopement is stressful, yes—but it’s not hopeless. Understanding the root causes is the first step toward meaningful prevention. Every behavior communicates something, and with the right support, we can help kids stay safe while still honoring who they are.

Elopement in children with autism is more than a behavioral challenge—it’s a complex, multifaceted issue that deserves attention and compassion. Understanding what triggers elopement is the key to creating safer environments for our children. With the right tools and awareness, parents and educators can work together to reduce the risk and empower kids to stay safe.

If this episode helped you, please share it with someone else who needs it. Until next time, stay safe and stay informed.

Quickly Reduce Your Child’s Symptoms of Autism by Eliminating 7 Foods Most People Consume Daily!

The first crucial step of autism recovery is to begin restoring health to the gut and the immune system.

The health of the gut is directly linked to the health of the brain and therefore to the symptoms of autism. In fact, 80% of the immune system comes from the gut so if the gut is not healthy, then the brain can’t thrive, and the immune system is compromised. It’s a vicious cycle, but thankfully, it’s one that we can put an end to by first eliminating harmful foods.

• Harmful Foods: Identify the foods that worsen autism symptoms and understand the science behind their impact.
• Smart Food Choices: Learn about easy dietary swaps that can significantly enhance sleep, clarity of thought, and emotional well-being.
• Practical Implementation: Get valuable tips on how to implement these dietary changes easily and effectively.

This is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat. Every child’s level of recovery is different. No two people are the same. It is never implied that all children will have the same outcome. Results are all based on individual biology and the work that is done. This process takes time and various steps, effort and resources need to be weighed. Our programs are intended to help you become more knowledgeable and guide you to help bring your child a better quality of life, whatever that may be. We want to help by giving great content, direction and strategies that move you forward. Nothing on this page or any of our websites is a promise or guarantee of results or future outcomes. The results on this page and any of our websites are not typical or promised. In fact, there will be people who purchase this and other programs and never put the work into implementing the strategies taught and therefore will achieve little to no results. Our more detailed earnings disclaimer, privacy policy, and terms and conditions for this program and website can be accessed via the links below. We hold ourselves (and you) to a high standard of integrity. We are cheering you on every step of the way.