Wandering and Elopement: Risks Factors and Strategies
by Cathy Allore, M.ED
Wandering, also known as eloping, refers to an individual with a developmental disability attempting to leave, or successfully leaving a safe, supervised area, without permission or with the knowledge of those in charge. Wandering can occur in any setting, including homes, school environments, daycares, summer camps, residential or day programs. These frightening events can occur even with the best supervision, and no matter how vigilant a parent, sibling, grandparent, teacher, therapist, or paid caregiver might be.