My youngest son who will be 3 on the 20th of the month. Doesn't sit still for long. My oldest son (also Autistic) has a field trip to the pumpkin patch next week and wants Mommy to go... There is a hay ride and of course Jacob will have to tag along since he is now at home with Mommy full time. But here is the question... Does anyone have any ideas of how to get him to sit durring the hayride? Normally anytime we go somewhere he is in his stroller or carseat strapped in. I don't have any idea if they even make seats for special needs kids for things of this nature or for use on things like trams, if he was smaller I'd put him in a front carrier but he isn't a baby anymore... Any Ideas??
My son would actually get overwhelmed in situations like this and get unusually passive. We called it playing possum.
Taking two ASD kids on a hayride sounds potentially stressful, and I agree with Payne's Mom that taking a car seat might be a good idea. It would eliminate one stress factor -- ie your youngest not staying where he is safe and in your control -- and help you all enjoy the ride more.
Have fun!
Ok... not sure if this is would work - but what about giving him a backpack? When you're on the hayride, you could gently pull down on the backpack to give him that 'strapped in' feeling? Or something weighted that he could hold on his lap to keep him grounded? Good luck!You could take an actual car seat and sit it on the floor for the hayride...we did that for our little one.
Hi NC. I have no ideas for you. I do have an NT 2 year old that has ants in his pants. But he does LOVE being outside...and really loves the stroller, car, etc. Maybe your son will like the hayride, the motion and the outdoors and it won't be as big of a problem as you are anticipating? I hope so.
Good luck...and I hope someone else may be able to come up with a solution for you.
Hi it will not be easy to make any child sit for long let alone a child with ASD
there are arm leads you can get a bit like an extendable dog lead what goes round the wrist of a child,
perhaps if you took some books ,or a favourate toy
and maybe you could organise a helper group a small group of children who will keep an eye on him
You could also do a socail story or have a reward scheme whereas if he sits for a while he will get a treat
there is lots that can be done but it will depend on the child and what he wants do
shell
I have the perfect seat for you...it is a car seat stroller...this is an amazing piece of equiptment...we have used it on vacations because it is FAA approved. the wheels retract when you need to use it as a car seat and come down for stroller action.
I got mine at a consignment shop for about 60 dollars ( pretty expensive new) but it was worth its weight in gold . I am still using the seat with child #2 almost 7 years later.
Another idea is to take a portable high chair ( the kind that sits on a kitchen chair) just because they are smaller and easier to lug around.
Can you have someone watch our little one for a few hours? I know that in our schools parents are discouraged from bringing younger sibs on field trips.I like doodersma idea. My son can sit still for a while with a weighted vest. His is one of those fishing vests and I put poly pellet bags on the pockets. He also picks up any rock he finds so that helps. YOu can also put beans in a fabric bag (tightly closed). There is something about the weight and the sensory imput that calms them. My OT recommended it. He also has a weighted blanket to help him fall asleep.
If we go to a theme park, he will carry a child sized backpack with the water during the shows waiting time, and I'll carry it while we walk.
The catch: if you use it too often or for long periods of time it will loose its effect as the body gets used to it.
Also, you may want to try to dress him with 100% cotton only clothes, including socks and underwear. My son seems to be better with them. With polyester mixes he takes off his shoes, has ants in the pants and wiggles all the time.
Hope this helps