I understand this. I always thought it was normal of course for a little boy to want to run wild. However, when my stepmother said about my son running that it reminded her of her austic son at that age I asked "why? what do you mean?" She said, "well all children run. But when you put him down he just takes off w/ no direction or purpose. He just runs crazy." She of course said it still might be nothing but that's what she remembers her son doing. And it doesn't matter where I set him down. Chuck E cheese, park, back yard, etc he'll just take off arms flailing w/ no purpose. Ignores anyone on the way too even in crowded chuck e cheeses lol.
I have no idea what to do about that. And w/ a very young child as well that's gotta be hard for you. I have actually thought of getting one of those child leashes lol. My husband says it's cruel to put on your child what you would put on a dog, but I can't see any other viable solution myself. My dd resisted the leash and would refuse to walk with it on (she'd just fall to ground and lay there) so it may not work on everyone. That's probably my only advice to try. Good luck!
Amber
I have so much in common with this subject!!! As we all do.. and yes you do have to get over what other people think!! I know it is a hard thing to do but it will only make you and your son feel worse if you don't go anywhere belive me I did it for a long time. I resorted to grocery shopping at midnight when the kids were sleeping and dad was home with them.Don't let it take over your life and make you feel like you and your son can't enjoy going places. I have a friend who has 3 children on the spectrum who has helped me through alot she intoduced me to a service coordinator and they helped link me to respit workers and they even have some who will take your child to the stores and teach them how to "help mommy shop" and also teach them about crossing the road and watching for cars,although this just started working for my son now that he is 5. Just a thought!I had a leash for both my kids Liz 3 and Nick 2. Liz did wonderful with it and it was so much easier when Nick was just a baby. I can't even begin to tell you how many parents stopped me and asked where I got it and how clever it was. However, when it was Nick's turn, he didn't like it at all. He would fall down on the ground as soon as he realized it was on him. He is also like Gavin. He goes wild when he is put down.We have lots of problems in public places and he also tries to run all over the front yard when we get out of the car. It can be very exhausting trying to hold on to two kids. I got a double stroller for when we go out in public and I carry him in from the car. I try to take him to a park at least once a week and let him run til his heart's content. That seems to help some.*smiles* I agree with panthosette.... we have a leash for Zach.... it's actually a harness, his arms slips through and it buckles in the back and the "leash" part of it is on his back, so his arms are still free. His is elmo, saftey first makes them.
We haven't had to use it on Zach in sometime, not since he first started walking, However, *laughs* just yesterday we were at the mall walking and Zach wanted to go bonkers and run everywhere.... and my husband said... i think it's time to pull the harness out again. Zach is still pretty good about taking our hand and STOPPING when we say to, but sometimes not, and with a new baby on the way... I can't run after him and i don't want that "sometimes not" to be the one time he gets hit by a car or he runs to far and someone snatches him. I also agree that autism can not rule our lives... for the same reason that panthosette said.... but also because of this.... our childeren still need to learn about the rest of the world. I know it's easier just to stay home and not deal with the difficulty of having a child who might act out in public.... but that isn't helping me or Zach one bit... I get depressed and in a rutt when I have to stay in the house...and He doesn't get exposure to things that will help his mind grow.
I guess the moral of the story is that I just need to get over whatI had a leash for my ds when he was young... it was looney toons, pale blue straps with cartoon charecters on it. (not the horrible leather type that my mom used to use :P)
It is great!!!!! You still have to watch like a hawk so child doesn't get into things like at store *but* does allow you more freedom and it is **safe**
My opinion is that I don't care what ppl think, most ppl don't have kids who don't understand danger. I am doing the safest thing for us. My ds is almost 6 yrs and still doesn't quite get that you can be run over by a car if you are not safe.
And why should autism rule our lives??? We should take the effect it has into consideration. We should respect it is a part of my ds and our life *but* that does not give it control to dictate what we can and can't do. So it takes longer to adjust to situations. I remember sitting outside a muesem for about an hour talking about going inside what to expect ect because my ds was so anxious *but* would have pitched a fit if he couldn't go. That's fine, I can compromise with it, but I will not let it stop us from what we want and our experiences.
haha, I always take the more difficult path :P
Karen, is it possible that you could get somebody to watch your 1 year