Critical Incidents: Analysis of Missing Children With Reported Autism Spectrum Disorder.

purposeThis study aims to identify patterns of behavior and differences in missing child incidents between children with and without reported autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

methodsThe study analyzed 2,278 cases of missing children under the age of 17, to include 198 missing children with reported autism, disseminated to a federal law enforcement agency’s crisis watch unit. Chi-square analyses were conducted to compare features associated with disappearances of missing autistic children versus non-autistic children.

resultsMissing children with ASD were older than neurotypical missing children and more often male. While over 50% of the cases in the overall sample were abductions, 87% of cases of children with reported ASD were nonforcible departures. Of cases with determinable histories, 75% had previously departed. One-third of cases demonstrated evidence of a precursor event immediately prior to the departure. Children with reported ASD were recovered deceased and died of accident or exposure more than children without ASD. Accidental drowning accounted for most fatal incidents. In cases where search efforts could be determined, of children with reported ASD who were recovered deceased after non-forcible departure, the area where the child was ultimately discovered had been previously searched in 24% of cases.

conclusionConsistent with prior research, children with reported autism spectrum disorder wandered or eloped and suffered fatal injuries more often than children without reported autism. Practical aspects for law enforcement and caregiver response are discussed.