Entertaing Autistic Child over Summer Break / Elopement. Help!!

Your daughter should be eligible for summer school through your school district.

When I was in graduate school, I worked part-time as a "summer aide" for a boy with Autism. His mom was great and I had a prepaid debit card to use. I would literally pick him up 3 mornings a week and we would go do things together. He was a handful, but it was a blast and I learned more about Autism that summer than in 3 years of graduate work!

Call around to your local colleges and ask the Education Department secretary to email students enrolled for the summer and see who would be interested. For the students, it's a great resume builder! You'll have to pay the going rate for your area, but for a couple of afternoons per week it may be worth it!

My son who is almost 8 is autistic but he is semi-verbal so our communication is a little easier than yours. However, one of my good friends who has a son that's 8 as well and has a very similar story to yours (non-verbal, runs away, wants things they shouldn't have all day etc...) was granted a dog through here http://autismservicedogsofamerica.com/ that dog is a LIFE SAVER for her family. My friends son is attached to the dog when they are out shopping so he can't run and the dog is trained to recognize when the child needs to be calmed and will lay it's front half of his body on the child for pressure (this is what my friends son seeks is deep pressure).

Some other things I'd suggest is maybe letting her play in the bathtub during the day, play with sensory objects like play-doh, trampolines, body socks (my sons personal favorite), ankle weights strapped on when you go shopping (I do this for my son, it keeps him more calm when we are out), fish tanks can get mesmorizing, socks filled with rice that you can warm in the microwave are huge fun for my son as well.

I'm in a little hurry but saw your post and wanted to respond with something. If I think of more I'll come back to your post later today:)

My niece is mostly non verbal and also not high functioning. She has a tendancy to try to get away as well, I swear my sister is a Saint.
How she keeps my niece occupied...she has her in a summer program with a para. She does lots of hands on art projects, my niece loves to glue...and draw, she goes through an unbelievable amount of glue and paper. She takes her swimming, she takes her to the park ( my niece loves to swing) she does a lot of physical activities in the house ( they have an indoor swing, they have an area indoors she can ride her skooter)
She likes sensory play...shave cream, water tables, sand tables.
My sister has a special stroller that is for larger children, she also has a stroller that can accomodate two children and my niece can stand on that one. Teach her to walk beside you with one hand on the cart, I know how difficult it can be.
I am sorry, I wish I had more advice...my little guy is on the spectrum, but not as severe and I really have had to adjust to the fact that he requires constant supervision, it is difficult but it can be done. ( Also my sister has had alarms installed on all her doors and windows and gates, actually was cheaper than the tracking device) also you can look into tracking devices that go in shoes, online. Good luck...

MY good friend has a 10 yr old non verbal Autistic son. He also loves the water. 2 nights a week our local special olympics group does activities, from swimming to track. That tends to wear him out some. She also keeps those squishy balls and madigra beeds around. He loves the feel of them and play with them for hours. Also she has figured out that there are a few dvds that he will watch, He loves veggie tales and Toy Story. She has a TV up high in his room so he cant get it and a beanbag chair on his floor. She put him in the chair and turns on the movie and he will actually sit quiet for a while.

As far as shopping goes, my friend has been working on teaching her son to push the cart. He does very well and this keeps him out of things.

Find a support group for parents of autistic children. Go to the get togethers, ask questions, listen. Other parents are your best source for information and help. Doctors, therapists, etc. do not live with an autistic child (usually) but there are other parents who do. Who do you think knows more about the daily struggles? Find a support group!

If she is considered Long Term Disability (basically permanently disabled) thru the state, she should get hours thru the state for a care provider or group agency that can take care of her to give you a break. If she qualifies, they also have "goals" that they work on to help the kids learn things that take longer than typical kids (tying shoes for example). My step dtr is 15 and diagnosed as moderate retarded so she gets all of these services thru the state (we don't pay anything). During the summer when she is out of school she has a full time care provider during the hours that we work. So I hope this helps, it sounds like she may qualify. Good luck!

You may want to google autism services in your area. You might be able to get some respite care help. Also goole autism newsletters & resources; you might find good tips there too. Good luck.

I don't know how it works in VA, but in CA, families with kids who have significant disabilities are eligible for respite care through their social services agency. Ask your social worker about this; it's a lifesaver for many families!

A tracking device is only good if it's on her!

Have you tried sign language with her, also their is something with images on cards that you can slowly teach to her and she can pull out a certain card when she wants to tell you something... don't know what it is called but it worked really well for an Autistic child that I know. He started around age 5 I think. Also, have you tried any of the diets or ommiting chemicals etc from your home to see if it helps her at all? Here in CA their is a lot of information/support/help for parents of Autistic children. Hopefully you can get some help.
Our neighbors Autistic daughter has a tutor/aid come every few days. I think it gives her parents a break... I KNOW it is really really challenging... hang in there and good luck.