To buy my son a mobility scooter for Christmas?

[Christmasstockingsbythefire]

Would I be unreasonable to buy my son a mobility scooter for Christmas?

To give you abit of background my son has autism and for the past 5 years on birthdays and Christmas' he has only been asking for a mobilty scooter and nothing else .. hasn't yet got one, this means every birthday and Christmas he gets disappointed and doesn't show any interest in any of the gifts he does receive . We decided against a mobility scooter in the past because we thought it was just something he would get bored of within a few days, people's views and we were worried he was too young. My son is now nine years old and is still asking for a mobility scooter, he enjoys visiting the mobility scooter showroom that is local to us and loves exploring and looking at his grandparents scooters.. After this many years I am starting to think he must feel very strongly about his wish.

He would ride the scooter up to the family farm to help collect the eggs etc and also use it to deliver eggs around our local neighbourhood, as he often has to make two trips as he cannot carry everything on his own.

If you were in my shoes would you buy him a mobility scooter? Or wouldn't it be acceptable? It doesn't need to be an expensive one, he just wants one he can ride and with a basket.

[DoItTooJulia]

Not unreasonable at all! I hope he has a magical Christmas!

[wonderingsoul]

Do it... fuck what other people say or think.

My nt ds1 used to ask for them as he thought they where cool looking.
And to a kid they are mini cars that go on the pavement.

If you do.. can you update on hes reaction. X

[TormundGiantsbabe]

Can he ride a bike? I wouldn't want my 9 year old on the streets in a motorised vehicle.

[Hippodisk]

what if he asks for a car next year

I probably wouldn't get one but I wouldn't judge you if you did.

[girlwithamoonandstaronherhead]

I think I would, as it's not just a passing fad and it sounds like it would be used sensibly. Does he have any mobility issues or is it just a fascination? If that us the case I still think it's ok, as long as he still gets plenty of exercise. It sounds like you live in a rural area? I would be worried what people would think but if it's a small area and people know him then maybe they would get it?

[dalmatianmad]

Do it! Who's gives a shiny shit would other people think
He's your boy and sounds like he will be delighted with one!!

[Piscivorus]

Is it legal for a 8 year old to drive one around the neighbourhood? Also would you need some kind of insurance just in case of any accidents?

[girlwithamoonandstaronherhead]

Oh and I would love to see his face!

[Christmasstockingsbythefire]

He is a very sensible young lad, he wouldn't dare drive it fast as he knows how long he has waited for one ( if he does get one) and also he has taken his grandparents one out on a test run around the farm and is a very sensible driver.

[wonderingsoul]

You can get eletric scooters and go karts that go up to 14mp its no different to them imo

[BrianMolkoismyPlacebo]

Can he legally drive one? Do you need insurance?

[scoobdoob]

Why not? He enjoys it. Same as riding a bike and if that is what her prefers.
I don't think insurance is needed. Small foldable ones can go on the pavement.

[Christmasstockingsbythefire]

He will be allowed to drive certain mobility scooters but not all of them , we just need to make sure we get the right one.

[Aeroflotgirl]

Yes fine if that he really wants, and sphe seems to be good at riding it, it's on private land so fine.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

No,if he can use his legs he should use them imo. It's not the same as a bike or a scooter at all and might be very difficult to stop him using it all the time once he has it.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Would he be happy with some sort of motorised go cart or electric scooter? I thought that adult mobility scooters are thousands of pounds . I may be wrong.
If the price doesn't put you off, then I would think it would be ok on private or quiet areas, as long as he'll be sensible and is able to stick to some ground rules.

[tartanpjsandtea]

Well, no, I wouldn't to be honest. They are for people with limited mobility aren't they?

[paxillin]

I thought you have to have a disability that means you can't walk to use them on pavements?

I'd probably not get him one and look at it like those wishes for a live horse or a rocket. One of those things that simply can't be fulfilled.

[OddBoots]

Is he otherwise active and if so would he maintain that level of activity if he was given a mobility scooter?

[MrsJayy]

I wouldnt they are not a toy where would he go on it ?

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Thank goodness for section 6!

I can't quite believe what I'm reading tbh!

[tartanpjsandtea]

To me, it would be like buying an able bodied person an electric wheelchair.

I appreciate it isn't quite the same but still works as a comparison.

[paxillin]

So it would be illegal for him to use it, as RosieSW points out. I wouldn't. I would also try to explain to him that it can never happen.