I agree with Jujmeo.. get a Buddy Bear harness backpack with a Safety Strap. My daughter was non verbal and a serious runner! When she started school in a Special Ed class, we still had some issues with the wandering and running, but they knew this and watched her VERY closely. Once she started receiving therapies,speech, ABA, OT.. we noticed her impulsiveness to run did improve somewhat. One of her wonderful therapists at the time, noticed some issues were sensory and encouraged me to get a small backpack and add some light weights in them. We ended up getting a buddy bear and would add a few books to it. We noticed she quit walking on her toes and seemed more grounded. She calmed down and most of all she quit running. Now, we did get LOTS of stares and whispers from others, but I didn't care about that as long as it was working for my child! She is now 14 and still likes to run, but just for fun with her little sister! Best of luck to you!!

My 11 year old nonverbal daughter used to run all the time, but within the last few years she has been much better. We used a harness for a while, but we don't need to anymore. We still watch her like a hawk but she really doesn't run. We do have locks on the doors as well but she really Durant try to go outside so that has gotten better with age.

Our pediatrician suggested the leash. We found one that attaches to a backpack. Our youngest grew out of it through therapy. Our eldest never has but at 30, she is a bit more aware of her surroundings

Thanks for the answers guys, we started trying the leash system around 3 when he got fast enough to get away from us and from then till about 5 we tried it off and on but all he would do is sit in the floor and scream till we took it off or had to drag him through a store. Being almost 2 years later (he will turn 7 in October) it may be time to try again. I know it is an attention thing though because he does it way more with me than he does my husband. Most of the time when daddy says stop running he will slow down or stop but he knows his boundaries with daddy are less because daddy can catch him faster. I'm getting the extra therapy going as soon as the insurance kicks in October 1st!

@A MyAutismTeam Member yes I think it is an attention thing in most cases. He just does it absolutely all the time. Our state just passed an autism insurance reform bill mandating the insurance companies cover therapy for autism so by this October I should be able to enroll him in some therapy outside of what he gets at school. The therapy clinic near us offers Behavioral, Physical, and Speech I think so I'm hoping they can help.