Lost autistic boy. Any hints ?

He is about 13 years old. Lost in urban environment.
Someone suggested he will shy away from loud noises and may be hiding or resting in secluded quiet areas.

Any more hints to help the search please .

Thanks

I work with a Lady who has experience (her DD1) with the autistic world. She has learned great insights into the perceptions and thought patterns of the autistic mind. I just sent her an email. I'll pass on whatever thoughts my friend has. It would probably help to find out where this child's gift lies for he will be drawn to that interest (my 2 cents).

From my friend: "What does he covet? If he likes superheroes have the search team dress with capes, etc. he is more likely to come out of hiding for someone like that..."

Please keep us up to date, as time allows, of the progress. My friend would very much like to know the outcome.

I know from experience (DS2) is very autistic. Shouting for him proably isn't a good idea. They tend to be very sensitive to noise, touch, smells. As wildman800 what does he like that can be very helpful in finding them. is the young man verbal or nonverbal?

SAR theory has some general help.

"Behavior Facts for Autism
“Bolt and Run” for no reason
Certain times of year or more prevalent
Early June
Late August
End of December
Hotspots
Attracted to water
Busy roadways
Dwellings – may peer into or enter
May not answer or come when called and will hide intentionally
May not be communicative"

www.operationtakemehome.org

"Quick Facts for Search and Rescue Professionals

Make sure you understand the degree of Autism you are dealing with. It will make a difference in dealing with the person when located.
Find out if there has been anything that has attracted the attention of the person within the past 24 hrs. Have they been obsessed with a location or object, at a location, within that time.
Do not expect the person to reply if you are calling their name. You’ll most likely have to make visual contact to locate them.
On many of the searches we have had, the person has hidden from us.
Check any location that has water, such as, pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, et al. immediately. These are points of attraction for those with Autism.
Remember that someone with Autism will, most likely, not experience fear , as we do. Don’t discount searching any location because you feel a reasonable person would not go there.
"

https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/autism-safety-project/first-responders/search-rescue

I have no knowledge of autism or experience with autistic people. That said, which characteristics can be generalized and which can't be generalized? Are all autistic children attracted to water, or is that a generalization that ain't exactly true? From what I gather there are a lot of generalizations regarding autism that probably need to be honored, but that may not be true on an individual basis. I wonder if some autistic children move away from water.

I know of someone on the low end of the spectrum. He is tactile defensive.

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/tactile-defensiveness.html

There is a book for young children educating them about other children who have autism. It only covers the basics.

http://autism.sesamestreet.org/storybook-we-are-amazing/

I have not heard of a person with autism being drawn to water. Disclaimer, I'm far from being an expert on the subject.

Jeanette Isabelle

SAR theory is based on probabilities. Experience has shown a certain percentage of victims in a category will be in a place. In general, lost Children go uphill. Adults go down or follow the path or least resistance. Fishermen will be dead. etc.

They use the probability someone will be in an area to marshall resources efficiently and timely.

Any updated info?

Thanks everyone and sorry for not coming back sooner.

The boy was found yesterday.
He is alive and well.

His father said in an interview that the boy wanted to visit his older brother who lived in another city about 20 miles away. He took the bus and arrived there but got lost in the city. He had some money but no phone. He slept in a mosque and had enough money for a few meals/snacks. Then he decided to go back home and got to the bus station where someone helped him to contact his family.


My thoughts:

Like many such stories, some info is lacking. Some people do not seem to belive the story 100%. But everyone is happy he is alive.

I wonder, if the boy is somehow capable of communicating, it is even more necessary to give him a phone than his brothers and sisters. A cheap phone is all that is needed, and will not be an attractive target for someone to steal from him. In the back cover of the phone, some emergency money can be inserted for snacks and bus ticket.

The weather these days is horribly hot. The government has imposed a period (10am-3pm)of no-labor-work. I wonder if he didn't find air-conditioned shelter what would have happened to him.

Food-wise, he was lucky it was near the end of the holy month of Ramadhan and the Eid celebrations afterwards. Free meals are abundant in and around mosques this time of the year ( the lunar Islamic calendar). Drinking water is usually available year round.

Off course , some people including me do have darker thoughts about the boy travelling without telling his father. But they are not solid facts. So, we just welcome the news of his safer return and hope all is well .

So glad he's ok. A story with a happy ending is always welcome!

Thank you for the update!

Thanks for everyone.

Not all stories end well, I am sad to say.

A younger boy was missing too. It turned out he was attacked by a pack of stray dogs. Ther remains of his body was found. And his funeral was held yesterday.

There is still a search for an older man who is missing for six weeks now. He is 78 but in good health. It is an urban environment, but many neglected farms around.