Creating a Safe Home for a Child Who Elopes: Life Without Words

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 One of the scariest moments of my life as a mom was the day Wyatt unlocked the door and eloped from our house while I was in the shower. In just a few minutes, everything changed - my heart still pounds when I think about it. Thankfully, he was safe. But the fear of what could have happened lingers with me every single day.


Elopement (wandering away) is a reality for so many families with autistic children, yet it’s something people rarely talk about unless they’ve lived it. Kids like Wyatt have little to no sense of danger. They don’t always understand boundaries, and they are incredibly fast. You think you’re being careful, but it takes seconds for them to slip out a door or window.


Since that day, I’ve changed so much about how our home is set up. Here are a few things we’ve done to create a safer environment for Wyatt:


  • Added extra locks high up on doors and windows, well out of his reach
  • Installed door alarms that alert us if a door is opened unexpectedly
  • Shared our situation with close neighbors, so they know to keep an eye out


These changes give me a little peace of mind, but the anxiety never fully goes away. I still get nervous when I shower, when I’m cooking, even when I step into another room. It’s exhausting to live in constant high alert, but keeping Wyatt safe is always my top priority.


To other parents going through this - you are not alone. I know how scary it is. My advice? Don’t wait until something happens to take precautions. Add the locks. Get the alarms. Talk to your neighbors. Your child’s safety is worth every ounce of effort.


Wyatt has taught me so much about strength, but he’s also taught me to never underestimate how quickly life can change in a single moment.


If sharing our experience helps just one family take extra safety measures, then it’s worth writing about ❤️

If you have an autistic child and you want to make these changes today before something like this happens, I will be attaching a great safety checklist at the end!  


Kerri


Doors & Windows

✔️ Install high-mounted locks on all exterior doors

✔️ Use door alarms or sensors that alert you when they open

✔️ Add childproof covers to door handles

✔️ Secure windows with locks or window guards


Outdoor Safety

✔️ Ensure fences are tall, secure, and locked

✔️ Keep gates locked with childproof latches

✔️ Remove objects that could be climbed to get over fences


Inside the Home

✔️ Use baby gates for stairways or areas you want to restrict

✔️ Keep car keys, garage door openers, and tools out of reach

✔️ Create a designated safe play area where you can always see them


Community Awareness

✔️ Inform close neighbors about your child’s tendency to wander

✔️ Consider a medical ID bracelet or tag for your child with contact info

✔️ Notify local law enforcement about your child’s risk for elopement


Emergency Preparedness

✔️ Keep recent photos of your child on hand

✔️ Teach them to respond to their name (when possible)

✔️ Have a plan for what to do immediately if they go missing





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