Elopement, or the act of wandering or running away from a safe, supervised environment, is a significant concern in educational settings, especially among students with special needs. This behavior can pose serious safety risks and disrupt the learning process. To create a safe and supportive classroom environment, it’s crucial to understand the reasons behind elopement and implement effective strategies to address it. Keep reading for some useful strategies to prevent classroom elopers!
Figure out the “why”
Determining the reason your eloper is leaving can help strategize ideas to implement to stop this behavior. Remember, behaviors are one way our learners communicate with us. Using an Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence chart (ABC Chart) to help isolate a reason is one effective strategy. This can be basic with just quick notes, times, and locations. Sometimes those can be the factors of why a student will elope. A certain time of day, a particular classroom, a visitor that comes during that time period. This chart can help narrow down the “why”
Some reasons why a student may elope are:
1. Sensory Overload – A student may feel overwhelmed or over stimulated in the classroom. The learner leaving may be their way of telling you they need a quieter space to work.
2. Communication Challenges – Students who had difficultly communicating their thoughts, ideas, or desires may elope as their way of communicating to you something they want or a way of showing you their frustrated.
3. Attention Seeking – Elopement can be a way for a student to gain the attention of staff or other students in the classroom.
4. Desire for preferred activity/object – A student may leave to obtain their favorite object, activity, item or even location tat could be outside the classroom.
5. Avoidance of task – If a student finds the task presented to them difficult or unpleasant they may try to elope to avoid the task.
Effective Strategies
The following are personal strategies I have used in my classroom. There are other ways, but make sure you ask your district before implementing any to ensure they are allowed. I made a reel that has video with helpful tips too. Check it out here.
1. “The Banner” – I velcroed a laminated thick bulletin board paper with a stop sign on it. The paper was brightly colored and was at the average height of the student. This was a visual reminder to the student to STOP and not run out of the room. The velcroed sides made it easy for staff to exit the room and it met the safety protocols of my district.
2. Bells or Chimes – I added bells to my door so when the handle was pulled down it would alert staff incase the student was able to get by. This allowed my para and I to be alerted to a student leaving the room. Classroom doorbell could also be an option, but it was not something I tried. Check it out here on Amazon.
3. STOP Sign – I added just a plain STOP sign and on the back was GO. This was a visual reminder for the students to know when to STOP at the door and when the “GO” sign was visible the could leave the room.
Additionally, you can try and create a “safe space” or “calm center” for the student who is eloping. Try and redirect their behaviors. Remember, this behavior will not be changed or redirected in one day. It will take time, effort, and support from you and your para. My student who eloped was attempting to leave the room over 20+ times each day in September. By June, I could leave the door OPEN and they would not leave. You’ve got this!!
If you need additional ideas for gross motor suggestions check out my indoor recess blog here.
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