SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — On the heels of a multi-agency search in Sumter County for a teenager described as autistic and non-verbal, experts say that wandering, also known as "eloping" is very common for kids with autism.

What You Need To Know

  • According to a 2012 study published in the journal Pediatrics, almost half of families whose child has autism report that the child has tried to elope at least once

  • These kids are subject to dangers like traffic injuries and even drownings

  • A special needs educator in Clermont hopes with time there will be more resources for non-verbal kids

According to a 2012 study published in the journal Pediatrics, almost half of families whose child has autism report that the child has tried to elope at least once. 

These kids, like Peyton Pickard, who was found alive and safe nearly 20 hours after he wandered away from home, are subject to dangers like traffic injuries and even drownings.

A special needs educator in Clermont says teaching non-verbal kids ways to communicate who their parents are and where they live is critical.

“Elopement is, basically, I call them my little explorers. They want to explore the world, they want to explore what they like, what they don’t like. It’s difficult because they don’t have the words,” said Luzel Garcia, founder of The Dream Academy.

The multi-sensory schools was created by Garcia after she had worked with special needs children for years. Five years later, she works with 30 non-verbal, low functioning kids.

“Not being able to talk doesn’t mean you don’t know what you want,” she said. “Not being able to talk means you can’t express want you want, but you know inside your head what you’re wanting. So it’s really important we treat our children with dignity, respect and being positive.”

Garcia mentions registering children with the D.R.E.A.M Program, which is offered by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office to people with dementia and any family member caring for a child with autism. It involves wearing a GPS-enabled watch that tracks a person’s location through a smartphone app.

But with many of these kids having sensory issues, sometimes that program isn’t accessible to them.

“They didn’t ask to be born with a disability so we should treat them just as they are. They’re beautiful even in their own ways,” said Garcia. “We don’t have enough manpower to help.”

She hopes with time there will be more resources for non-verbal kids.