good inshgts, thanks.
can;t be exhaust, it is off, as this can take 15 minutes sometimes.
i'm experimenting now with leting him get in the pasenge door and walk him back to the seats
interesting , thanks!
Could it be the smell of exhaust when you first start the van up...and then his nose quickly adjusts to it and that's why he is better within a block?
Not sure how you go about helping that, or even figuring out if that is it...just brainstorming here!
Ahh, sitting in the car seat!!! HATED IT when I was little. I fought a bit, tho your son sounds like he fights a little more. Being confined with the seat belt and sitting for however long was rough, and a car ride that was a half hr seemed to last a lot longer, my thoughts anyways...Hi. I am mid-way to diagnosis on my 3 1/2 year old son. We have been told he will likely test HFA, but are still waiting for the final test.
We have had the same van struggles in the past, although it would just be when he would be in a fit already when trying to put him in the van. One technique I would use is putting them in the van, but not in their seats (he has a twin sister) and close it up and let them run around for a couple of minutes. So that getting into the van isn't immediately associated with getting into the seat. I keep a portable DVD player in the van and sometimes turn on his favorite program when it is time to get into the seat so he can focus on that.
Another trick I would use (and we all have to make our own judgements on what works for us) is I would let him stand up on the back benchseat and do a countdown to "jump/blastoff" into my arms while I waited in the middle row opening. In one swift movement I would catch him and lift him into his seat, carrying on about the "leap" he just made to me, distracting from getting strapped in. This was really, really effective when this was a big problem for him and would recommend you try something like that. Again, he first associates getting into the van with the fun leap he is about to do and not getting strapped in.
Good luck...I hope those might help you
Benjamin, 4 year old, likes to play in garage but when its time to go bye-bye, and get in the van he will fight you tooth & nail to not get in, cries, scratches, throws tantrums, etc.
nothing bad has happened in the van t bother him... but he simply hates to get in, once we go down the block he sits up and is ok with it. we normally go to a park, target, or somewhee he likes, never have figured out what is triggering this.
i'd trade the van in on somethtng else, but we are flat broke w/all the therapy costs, etc.
anyone ever have anything similar? even leaving say target, getting him back in the van is a batle i have to pickhim up and really get physical to keep him in while the door shuts. he's fine all the way thru the store, thru the paring lot, just as he gets on the door edge going in, he starts....throws self on floor, parking lot, etc...
other than that he does pretty good, but he hates getting in, anyone have any ideas? thanks!!
My guess would be:
- the doors are somehow scary
- being strapped into the car seat is unappealing (could be a sensory issue).
- general problems with transitions.
Very different problems requiring very different solutions.