Our Statement on the Passing of Parker Wells in Calgary

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Hamilton, Ontario - August 2, 2026

Our hearts are with Parker's family, friends, and everyone who knew and loved him during this unimaginable time. No family should have to experience the devastating loss of a child.

Parker's passing is a heartbreaking reminder that autistic children can face unique safety risks, including elopement—sometimes referred to as wandering. Research published in the journal Pediatrics found that nearly half (49%) of children with autism had attempted to elope after the age of four. Among those who went missing long enough to cause concern, 24% were in danger of drowning and 65% were at risk of traffic injury. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recognizes wandering as a significant safety issue for many autistic children and notes that approximately half of children with autism have wandered.

These findings reinforce what many families have known for years: elopement is a public safety issue that requires coordinated action—not only from families, but from governments, emergency services, schools, and communities.

Elopement is not simply a behavioural issue or a parenting failure. It is a well-recognized safety concern that may occur when an autistic individual is overwhelmed, seeking something familiar or calming, attempting to escape sensory overload, or is unable to recognize danger. Understanding these underlying factors is essential to preventing future tragedies.

We need governments, emergency services, and communities to recognize that autistic individuals require responses that are informed by disability, communication differences, and trauma. Families have been calling for these changes for years, and it is time for meaningful action.

We are calling on all levels of government to:

• Develop and implement a province-wide emergency alert protocol for missing autistic children and other vulnerable individuals who are at immediate risk due to elopement or wandering.

• Ensure that police, firefighters, paramedics, search and rescue teams, and emergency dispatchers receive mandatory trauma-informed and neuro-affirming training.

• Equip first responders with practical strategies for safely engaging autistic individuals who may not respond to verbal commands, may avoid eye contact, or may hide rather than seek help.

• Invest in prevention through community education, family supports, adaptive swimming and water safety programs, and resources that reduce the risk of elopement.

• Work collaboratively with autistic people, families, disability organizations, and researchers to develop evidence-informed policies and emergency response protocols.

  
  

Trauma-informed emergency response recognizes that fear, sensory overload, or communication differences can significantly affect how an autistic person reacts during a crisis. A child who runs, hides, or does not answer when their name is called is not being defiant—they may be frightened, overwhelmed, or unable to process what is happening around them. First responders need the training and tools to recognize these differences and respond effectively.

We also urge our communities to move beyond judgment and toward understanding. Families of autistic children often live with constant vigilance, yet no amount of dedication can eliminate every risk. Compassion, education, and coordinated systems of support save lives.

Parker should be remembered not only for the life he lived, but also as the catalyst for meaningful change. The most powerful way to honour his memory is to ensure that no other family experiences a similar loss because the systems designed to protect vulnerable children were not equipped to meet their needs.

Our thoughts remain with Parker's loved ones. We stand beside them in grief and in the shared commitment to creating safer, more inclusive communities for every autistic child.

For more information, please contact our team at balanceSSCS@gmail.com

References:

• CDC: Wandering (Elopement) and Children with Disabilities

• Pediatrics: Occurrence and Family Impact of Elopement in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

  
  

Balance Support & Self Care Studios was created with parents and caregivers of individuals with diverse needs in mind. We recognize the value of the staff and community. We are committed to striving for excellence through inclusiveness, team collaboration, quality of services, and the participation and contributions of volunteers and community members. To learn more, please check out our website

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