Before “autism” entered our lives, I had never heard the term “elopement” in reference to children.
Jonah is only 8 years old, but we have learned about “elopement” first hand…
…Four Times.
“Elopement” with
children is more than the child just “running away” or getting separated from their parents. When a child is non-verbal, there is an added element of danger because they will not respond to strangers… They will not give their name or their parent’s names, their contact information… or even convey that they are “lost.”
Simply put…in general, if YOU do not find your child, they will not find YOU.
So as a parent, it is the worst feeling in the world…to turn around and your non-verbal child is simply “not there.”
Just… GONE.
These are our experiences.