Managing running away behavior, also referred to as elopement or bolting, is a significant challenge for caregivers and professionals working with children on the autism spectrum. This behavior, where a child moves more than an arm’s length away from their caregiver without permission, can pose safety risks and disrupt daily routines. Among the variations of elopement, running away while looking back and smiling is particularly common and often indicates a desire for attention or an invitation to play.
So let’s explore strategies to understand, manage, and mitigate running away behavior effectively.
Understanding the Behavior of Running Away While Looking Back and Smiling
When a child runs away while smiling and checking to see if the caregiver is watching, it provides important insights into the motivation behind the behavior:
- Seeking Attention: The child looks back to make eye contact, signaling a desire for the caregiver’s attention.
- Invitation to Play: The smile often invites the caregiver to engage in a playful activity, such as a game of “chase and catch.”
While this behavior can seem harmless in controlled environments, it becomes dangerous in public or unsafe settings. Managing this behavior requires targeted strategies to ensure safety and foster appropriate behaviors.
Strategies to Manage Running Away Behavior
1. Use Social Stories to Teach Safety Concepts
Social stories are a powerful tool to help children understand safety rules in a structured way. They use simple language and visuals to explain concepts such as:
- When and where it is safe to run.
- Why it is important to stay close to caregivers.
How to implement this strategy:
- Read social stories daily with the child. Use books and online videos to reinforce messages about walking safely and avoiding dangerous areas.
- Focus on relatable scenarios, such as crossing streets or staying indoors without supervision.
2. Incorporate Safe and Unsafe Activities into Daily Routines
Teaching the difference between safe and unsafe behaviors helps children understand boundaries. This can be done through interactive activities:
- Sorting Activity: Create picture cards illustrating safe and unsafe actions. Ask the child to sort them into two categories while explaining why each action is safe or unsafe.
- Exploration Game: Walk around the house or yard and ask the child, “Is this safe or unsafe?” Provide immediate feedback to reinforce learning.
These activities make safety rules tangible and engaging, encouraging the child to practice them in real-life situations.
3. Introduce Visual Aids for Safety
Visual cues are an effective way to reinforce safety rules. Examples include:
- Stop Signs: Place laminated stop signs on doors, windows, or dangerous areas to remind the child not to proceed without permission.
- Handprint Visuals: Position handprint decals near doors or vehicles to indicate where the child should stand and wait safely.
Over time, these visuals can help the child associate specific symbols with required actions, such as stopping or waiting.
4. Use Visual Schedules and First-Then Boards
Visual schedules provide structure and clarity for the day, reducing anxiety and uncertainty. First-then boards are especially helpful for transitions:
- Visual Schedule: Outline the day’s activities, including safe playtime and transitions.
- First-Then Board: Show the child what to do now (e.g., walk to the car) and what will come next (e.g., playtime).
By providing a clear sequence, these tools help the child anticipate what’s next and reduce the likelihood of impulsive running behaviors.
5. Offer Choices to Foster Communication
When transitioning between activities, provide the child with options for how they’d like to move:
- For example, ask, “Do you want to run, chase, catch, or walk to the playroom?”
- Respect their choice and use it to guide the transition.
This approach empowers the child to communicate their preferences, reducing frustration and promoting collaboration.
6. Redirect Attention with Preferred Toys or Activities
Redirecting the child’s attention before transitions can prevent running behavior:
- Hand the child a favorite toy or object before moving to another area.
- Ensure the item is engaging enough to shift their focus from running to walking calmly.
By occupying their attention, you create a smoother transition.
7. Reward Walking Behavior with Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is key to encouraging appropriate behavior. Use small rewards, such as:
- Verbal praise: “Great job walking with me!”
- Treats: Offer small snacks or edible rewards for walking calmly.
- Gradual fading: Over time, increase the number of steps required before receiving a reward and gradually phase out tangible rewards while maintaining verbal praise.
8. Ignore Inappropriate Behavior and Reinforce the Desired Behavior
When the child begins to run:
- Avoid direct eye contact, smiling, or engaging in a playful manner, as this can reinforce the behavior.
- Gently guide the child back to the desired location without providing attention to the running itself.
- Praise the child for every step taken without running: “Good job walking!”
This approach ensures that only appropriate behaviors are reinforced.
9. Engage in Energetic Activities
Allowing children to expend energy through safe, structured activities can reduce the urge to run impulsively. Create opportunities for high-energy play, such as:
- Running games
- Jumping on a trampoline
- Chasing bubbles or balls
Provide a list of options or a choice board to let the child decide which activity they’d like to engage in.
10. Implement Safety Measures
In cases of persistent elopement, safety measures are essential:
- Install locks on doors and windows.
- Use wearable trackers like GPS watches or bracelets with caregiver information.
- Equip the child with items that include emergency contact details, such as backpacks or wristbands.
These precautions provide peace of mind and ensure the child’s safety in potentially risky situations.
Conclusion
Managing running away behavior in children with autism requires a combination of proactive strategies, visual aids, and safety measures. By understanding the motivations behind the behavior and implementing structured interventions, caregivers can create a safe and supportive environment for the child.
The key is consistency, patience, and collaboration with professionals, such as therapists or behavioral analysts, to tailor strategies to the child’s unique needs. With time and practice, children can learn to navigate transitions safely and engage in appropriate behaviors, reducing the risks associated with elopement.
Also read: How to Set Boundaries Without Saying No
About Olga Sirbu
My name is Olga Sirbu, I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Applied Behavioral Analyst. My goal is to support and empower families and individuals on the autism spectrum.
Autism Advance is dedicated to training parents and caregivers, providing practical tips, and teaching individuals how to educate kids with autism.
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