TIP of the WEEK: Running Away

Here are some ways to prevent and/or lessen the danger of this behavior:

1. Use alarms on your doors. Be sure these are alarms that your child cannot disarm simply by pulling them or switching them off.

2. Alert local authorities. If your child commonly runs away or tries to, visit your local police department with a photo of your child and a description of the syndrome. This is especially important if your child is an adult because the police may not take your situation as an emergency if they do not have the proper education of the syndrome.

3. Use technology. If your child frequently runs or has poor safety skills, use a gps tracker on their phone or clothing. New gps technology is inexpensive and new ones can even be placed in the soles of their shoes.
4. Pay attention to signs. Know what triggers your child to run and know where they tend to run to for a faster return home time.

5. Have a baseline weight. You will need to know if your child accessed food and how much. A measurement around their stomach or a recent weight can help you determine this.

Running can be a scary event especially in very hot or cold weather. Bring in authorities quickly and make sure they understand why finding your child fast is so important.

Patrice Carroll is Latham Centers’ world-renowned Prader-Willi Syndrome specialist. She works with Latham Centers’ residents with PWS, their families and consultants, continuously learning and teaching about PWS best practices.