To use a wheelchair?

[MrsKJones]

I'll keep details brief and generic in case I'm recognised.
My child,11, was recently diagnosed with autism. We find that shopping trips, particularly to large stores or centres can trigger them. We have found that music helps keep them calm so we use this quite a lot. We try to shop during quieter times to minimise stress or leave them with family while we shop but sometimes, like this weekend this is not possible and we need to go during the day and take them with us. I went prepared with a drink and snack and their music (played through headphones on their phone). I also had the sunflower lanyard which they chose to wear. We got probably halfway across one floor before they asked to sit in the trolley and take shoes off (they really dislikes wearing shoes and will remove them at the first opportunity). We allowed this as they had been really well behaved up until then and I didn't want to trigger an autistic response.

Sorry this becoming longer than I intended; basically what I am asking is, am I being unreasonable to consider using a wheelchair for them if we have to go to a large shop/shopping centre so they can sit comfortably and listen to music while we get stuff done?

Go for it. If it helps your child why wouldn't you use a wheelchair?

Thanks again.

I'm having trouble tagging as I'm on the mobile app.

We have a weighted vest and blanket. Go to outfits for child is joggers and hoodies. I hadn't considered a referral for wheelchair assessment but I will look into it. I will also see if we can rent a child's one rather than borrowing the adult one

We currently get MRC and LRM DLA and have just sent off renewal forms. We have applied for blue badge but they want our ASD report before they will make a decision. We have also applied for EHCP but again are waiting for ASD report as we were turned down last time.

No right or wrong answer. It depends on what realistic hopes their are and you have for your child's future.

Mine and their then peers are all in their twenties now. They were all very visibly not neurotypical and all failing to cope in school. (or shopping, friendships etc)
In all cases schools and LEA's said educate and cater to disabilities, rather than abilities. Some of us disagreed and went our own way. In our case coming out of school and home educating.

Those who went for trying to fit them to the lives we hoped they'd live, and working on their abilities, have had huge battles, and our children have had challenging childhoods, which has been painful for all, but are now all almost independent or semi independent working towards independent, young people in work and not in the benefit system even through Covid.

Those who went for the disability model and distract and avoid have young people who had much better kinder, less challenging childhoods, but are still pretty much the same just larger, and remain dependent on parents, or care, and PIP and ESA decisions. They're not considered responsible, until ATOS or Capita decides they should be, at which point life crashes down.
Some who assumed assisted living placements would be provided, are facing really difficult situations after being told that the system's changed and they'll have to cope long term with frustrated adults who get aggressive and are settled in their ways and expectations.

Of course lots of people like to say all the intervention or non intervention was immaterial and they'd have all ended up where they are now regardless.

DD on the other hand (not ASD) didn't have a possibility of developing into an independent adult at any level, and will always need looking after. So whatever made life simple and as unchallenging for all as possible was the right thing for her.

The threshold for an ehcp assessment is incredibly low, you just need to show that the child may have special educational needs. It sounds like you can do this. LA's need to save money on sen and some try to not assess or not assess properly to reduce the cost of a plan (likewise provision won't be specified). Depending on the date that they refused to assess as there are timeframes you can appeal or you can submit a parental request. Look at ipsea, special needs jungle, sossen (their booklets and webinars are fantastic) and educational equality.

As part of the assessment you can ask for any need to be assessed if reasonable from what you've said already sensory OT and wheelchair services. Speech therapy for behaviour, emotional and communication as well as an ed psych. All reports should be specified and quantified to detail needs, provision and outcomes and should be completed by the timeframes set out in cfa / cop. When they agree to assess if they say you need to go on a waiting list or can't assess as not known to service this isn't true, they should fund an independent (which is usually better especially in terms of detailing provision) to meet timeframes. Also as part of the assessment you can have a carers assessment and request access to short breaks or direct payments for rest if required (you can do this anyway).

In regards to dla have a look at the contact a family guides in regards to virtually unable to walk and smi (severe mental impairment- absolutely disgusting term). It maybe that your child should qualify for hrm which would automatically entitle them to a blue badge.

Weighted blankets etc should be used with guidance from an OT as they shouldn't be over a certain percentage of the childs mass.

Sorry if you already know all this, I just didn't want to not say incase.

@Justrealised

The threshold for an ehcp assessment is incredibly low, you just need to show that the child may have special educational needs. It sounds like you can do this. LA's need to save money on sen and some try to not assess or not assess properly to reduce the cost of a plan (likewise provision won't be specified). Depending on the date that they refused to assess as there are timeframes you can appeal or you can submit a parental request. Look at ipsea, special needs jungle, sossen (their booklets and webinars are fantastic) and educational equality.

As part of the assessment you can ask for any need to be assessed if reasonable from what you've said already sensory OT and wheelchair services. Speech therapy for behaviour, emotional and communication as well as an ed psych. All reports should be specified and quantified to detail needs, provision and outcomes and should be completed by the timeframes set out in cfa / cop. When they agree to assess if they say you need to go on a waiting list or can't assess as not known to service this isn't true, they should fund an independent (which is usually better especially in terms of detailing provision) to meet timeframes. Also as part of the assessment you can have a carers assessment and request access to short breaks or direct payments for rest if required (you can do this anyway).

In regards to dla have a look at the contact a family guides in regards to virtually unable to walk and smi (severe mental impairment- absolutely disgusting term). It maybe that your child should qualify for hrm which would automatically entitle them to a blue badge.

Weighted blankets etc should be used with guidance from an OT as they shouldn't be over a certain percentage of the childs mass.

Sorry if you already know all this, I just didn't want to not say incase.

Thanks. I sought advice before getting the vest and blanket

Once we have the EHCP decision we can pursue OT assessment

I've also researched today and the Red Cross loan wheelchairs for free in my area so I will call them this week

By all means ask for a referral for a wheelchair..

The rules may be different for kids, however my referral took 12 months to actually turn into an assessment.

Wheelchairs are (for adults at least) only granted if they will be used inside your home (powerchairs) or outside for education/work.

So if its only being used for shopping/social stuff the answer is highly likely to be no.

I would buy a second hand kid sized chair that you find easy to push (go to some wheelchair/mobility stores minus child and try pushing some with a lightweight person sat in it!), and see how you get on.