Autism Wandering and Elopement Safety Plan Template
Prepare a practical, person-specific plan for prevention, communication, urgent response, reunification and review across home, school and community settings.
For: Autistic people, families, schools, caregivers and support teams · Last content review: 2026-08-04
Privacy: This public worksheet submits no form contents to Autism Resource Hub. Visitors can print it or save it locally as a PDF.
Important: This planning aid cannot prevent every emergency and is not a substitute for local emergency guidance. If someone is missing or in immediate danger, contact the appropriate local emergency service immediately.
Person-specific information
- Preferred name, communication method and languages
- How the person may respond to their name, uniforms, lights, touch or loud voices
- Interests, destinations, routes, water or transport risks that may attract attention
- Medical, mobility, sensory or communication information responders may need
- Current photo and description stored securely
Prevention without punishment
- Patterns, unmet needs or situations associated with leaving
- Communication for break, outside, finished, help or escape from distress
- Environmental safeguards reviewed for fire and evacuation safety
- Supervision handoff and head-count responsibilities
- Safe opportunities for movement, exploration and preferred destinations
Immediate response
- Who calls emergency services and when
- Who checks the highest-risk locations first without delaying the emergency call
- Emergency contacts, school/site contacts and current phone numbers
- Exact information to give responders
- Calm reunification approach and familiar items
Share, practise and review
- Plan shared with each responsible setting and person
- Roles practised without frightening or blaming the autistic person
- Copies and photos kept current and access controlled
- Incident debrief focuses on needs and system changes, not punishment
- Review date and responsible coordinator
Related guidance
- Wandering and elopement safety guide — Read the source-checked planning guide before completing this template.
- Corrections and content feedback — Report a safety-resource issue or request another accessible format.