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If you are searching
how to stop autistic child from bolting, start here:
What ABA targets in a bolting plan
How to stop autistic child from bolting is usually not one trick. ABA teams start with an FBA style approach: what happens before bolting, where the child goes, and what they get from leaving (escape, access to a preferred item, attention, or sensory input).
A common research backed approach is teaching and reinforcing an alternative behavior (for example: holding an adult’s hand, stopping at a visual line, responding to “come back”), plus active prevention like blocking when needed. A study in Behavior Analysis in Practice showed
differential reinforcement approaches, and found blocking can be a key component for some children.
A review also supports
function based assessment and treatment for elopement.
If you are asking
how to stop autistic child from bolting, treat it as a safety issue and a teachable skill. Want a step by step plan for home and community, with data tracking and caregiver training?
Call Achieve Behavioral Therapy to schedule a visit.
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