Autistic child hates rain

[mumtryingherbest1994]

Hi, my 4 year old daughter is autistic and really hates the rain, she makes me pick her up if were outside and its raining. Which wouldn't be a problem but I have a 2 year old I need to push in the pram. Shes just started school and I'm really struggling to get her there on days when the weather is bad. It takes us an hour to walk there and its a very long day and don't think its fair on her. Ive thought about moving schools but she's all about routine and I feel like she wouldn't cope very well. Ive also tried the bus but she really hates the bus and refuses to get on it. I cant afford to get taxis everyday so im really out of ideas. Any advice would be really grateful if anyone has experienced this at all, unsure who to turn to for any help with chaperones etc.

Get a double buggy such as the city mini which has big seats and a high weight capacity and a good rain cover and put her in and push on wet days. My DC with asd was in the buggy on occasion until he was 5. Still fits in it just at 6. You could probably get one second hand.

She’s only just started school right? Is there nothing closer? An hour each way is awful! For all of you.
but yes good double buggy for now.

Yup! Double buggy with rain cover.

You will have 6 years of this. I'd personally change to a closer school if you can.

I have a 14yo with autism who hates the rain. In our case we found (after years of not understanding this) that the main issue is the overwhelming nature of the constant sound of the rain falling and the car tyres of passing traffic swishing. With ear defenders, everything is OK(ish) and they are able to tolerate the stress. Obviously I don't know if its the sane issue for your child but give it a try?

Our dd did outgrow this. I mean she still doesn’t love the rain, but she no longer has full blown panic attacks every time it drizzles.

Driving would be the obvious option, but since you didn’t include that I’m guessing it is not available.

get a double stroller with a good rain cover. For our child it was the rain touching her. If sound is an issue for your child, add noise canceling headphones and something to distract. There is no __pushing through this. You need to accept that it’s a real issue for her and make modifications for now. The school run isn’t the time to work on exposure.

Mine hates wind rather than rain. Can't stand it. You could get a double buggy and a rain cover unless like my then 4 year old she's too big for that. Unless the school you're at now are really great at supporting Autistic children or meet some specific special need or the closer school is really bad/unsupportive with SEN I'd move her now. Yes it will be an adjustment and she might struggle with the transition and her regulation for a while, but you can support her through that with things like more downtime. You might find without the long walk to and form school that she actually copes better at a closer school. You're going to have years and years of this commute and it doesn't sound at all sustainable.

Try those clip on skateboard things so she can stand behind the pushchair in between your hands while you push baby- she might love it!

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9434268?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=c290d9a9-b5d6-423c-841d-2a559621874c&istItemId=pwptwwixl&istBid=t&&cmpid=GS001&$ja=tsid:59157%7Cacid:629-618-1342%7Ccid:20378155429%7Cagid:%7Ctid:%7Ccrid:%7Cnw:x%7Crnd:150360614729897917%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9045502&utmmsource=Google&utmmedium=cpc&utmmcampaign=20378155429&utmterm=9434268&utmmcontent=shopping&utmcustom1=&utmmcustom2=629-618-1342&GPDP=true&gbraid=0AAAAAD9II9mlwo8EEkjvL5hEjkpbvFgnf&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgtznn3YgQMVaolQBh37bAf0EAQYASABEgLP-fDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Does she have an EHCP? If so school transport could be an option.

Will she tolerate a hat? A peaked hat keeps the rain off your face and can help a lot.

I’d also look for a deep dome plastic umbrella like this that’s easier for a 4 year old to manage as they’re inside it rather than under.

An hour to walk to school in British weather is really not sustainable. If moving to a closer school is viable I’d look at that. Change isn’t easy, but neither is this.

Bus exposure could be worked on but I’d do that separately, in tiny increments on weekends.

Full puddle suit with wellies and umbrella so she cant feel it. Or a buggy board or a double buggy.