The Escape Artist
I just had the most frightening experience of my life. I am so nervous I am smoking like a chimney and shaking all over. I think the worst possible thing that can happen to you as a parent of an autistic child is for them to escape out the front door. My son did just this.
Before you question why I didn't have the door locked (we have 3 locks on the door) or why I wasn't watching him, I will explain. My daughter had just come in from school and forgot something in her desk so she had to run back out. When she went back out she left the door open slightly, not thinking (it's hard for a 9 year old with a brother that has a developmental delay). I was watching from another room with the video monitor that we have set up and I ran as fast as I could to get to the door.
By the time I got up the stairs Jared had already bolted out the door and out of sight. I should also say that we live on a very busy street and cars fly by. Needless to say I was so afraid that he had run into the road. I ran around one corner and then I turned around to go the other way, when I found him.
I found him after what felt like hours, but was only about 3 minutes, in the neighbor's driveway. What a relief!