I need collective mumsnet creativity and solutions to a soon to be a potentially very big problem....

[yurt1]

DS1 has had a compulsion to look over fences for a few years now. As he gets taller (he's 9) he can look over bigger fences.

If you look at my profile you will see a photo taken of him today - he can get his knee higher than shown in the photo so he can get practically over the fence.

The problem is that the roofs of the houses behind that fence are level with it. In other words there's a very big drop behind there. He's severely autistic (non verbal) with absolutely no sense of danger. In between doing this today he's been jumping from bannister to bannister 3 storeys up. (am I spelling storey right?)

So any ideas of what I can do? The fences are at their legal maximum height. Removing the chair just leads to him shifting the trampoline or wendy house or anything he can lay his hands on - which is even more dangerous. Or climbing up from the decking. Last year he was satisfied with a periscope, but last year he didn't have the strength to pull himself up - this year it's viewed as a poor alternative.

He can't quite manage it yet, but give him a few weeks and I think he will. And I then dread to think.......

It's a compulsion so very hard to deal with behaviourally. He doesn't have the language for social stories.

Sorry that sounded a bit of a stroppy final message! I'm meant to be working so have half a head on getting going with that. Thanks for the ideas everyone.....

I'm coming back late to it so thing amay have moved on but what about one of those really nosey drills workmen use to wake everyone up do their roadworks to break up the hard earth in the garden for digging in the trampoline?

That would work wouldn't it? Can you hire someone to do that- we're hopeless with anything handy.

Just talked it through with dh. Until we can get something up on the fence/beside it we're kind of going with connie's approach. So ds1 will be allowed out under supervision but then made to come in (so I can cook tea etc) then allowed out again after tea. Not timetabled as such, but he does understand the concept of 'tea first then garden'.

Wish me luck- there will be lots of screaming & headbanging tomorrow....

Yurt, sorry if it's already been sugessted, but could you cut little square holes in the fence - you could hinge them so he can open a little door & put his head out (obviously only big enough for his head).
I've thought about a bungee line at the top of the stairs for ds2 after a bad tumble, but dh says its illegal to shackle a child.

If you plant a rambling rose (not a climbing one) it should grow really fast.

Look in your yellow pages under Tool/Plant Hire for a pneumatic drill for the trampoline. Some of them will hire the tool along with a skilled operative.

As for the planting - it will take time to establish and then grow to a suitable size to discourage climbing - I would say 3 years at least. Again, look in your yellow pages under Garden Services or some suchlike.

Well, good luck and all that for tomorrow... [wince]

Lots here, in and around devon.

I remeber the washing machine photos, I sent a few hence why I know roughly where you are....not a stalker

Is there anything he doesn't like to walk on/over - sand, gravel etc? You could put something like that around the walls?

Hope today has been OK.

He's fine walking on anything now (see my profile pics )

He was OK yesterday. Came home from school- had his tutor in last night anyway so she kept him busy for an hour and I told her to be careful if they used the garden, but it was raining anyway.

Just before bed he fetched his shoes, but he asked permission to climb, I let him - told him 'just looking, no climbing' then got him down as soon as he started to try and hoist himself up. He didn't complain too much. Quick countdown and we went back inside.

I need to sort it before the summer hols.

I haven't read all this so sorry if it's no good, but what about one of those step/ladder things for doing high work in the garden- you can get some that have quite a big platform and a handle to steady yourself- then he could look over safely?

Sorry not read all of thread but would 'windows' or peep holes in the fence(perhaps with swing covers or doors to keep his hands busy help? too small to fit through. Climb resistant paint, and overhanging section above the gaps.