Am I allowed to go for JUST a drive?

[Teaandtoastforbreakfast29]

Apologies in advance for adding another thread to the 4729859 already.
I'm just looking for clarification.
My little boy is 3, diagnosed ASD. He hasn't napped in bed in over a year. He doesn't even nap much but sometimes falls asleep in the car. Does that mean I can't even take him for a drive to let him sleep for 20 minutes? Some days he's up at 5am and does need a quick doze to tide him over. He's also non verbal and has global development delay so wouldn't understand if I explain to him.

It would literally be quick drive in the car, not stopping or going anywhere, seeing anyone etc. I'm just wondering. If I can't, I can't but what would you do in this situation?

Honestly I think you owe it to the community and your son to try other ways of getting him to nap first.

It’s really not within the rules and it exposes you to a higher risk of catching the virus. Not only accidents but you’ll need to refuel your car. How would your little one feel if you were poorly and couldn’t look after him? Is it really worth that risk

@Inthepurplerain at last, someone with some perspective and sense has turned up!

It does fit the " rules"

You are allowed to drive to take yourself to exercise , so you could drive to a park and hopefully he will nap on the way there or back

from the BBC

"The "very limited" reasons you are permitted to leave your home include:

Shopping for basic necessities like food and medicine, with Downing Street saying you should do this "as infrequently as possible" and use food delivery services "where you can"
One form of exercise a day, such as a run, walk or cycle, which can be done alone or with members of your household
Any medical need, to give care or to help a vulnerable person
Travelling to and from work, but only if this is "absolutely necessary" and cannot be done from home.
You are therefore only permitted to drive if and only if you are conducting one of the above activites."

Authorities will have the power to issue fines and detain those who flagrantly disrespect these conditions.

There is so much- I have this, he has that, she has this at the moment.

Just stop and think... nobody, absolutely nobody is enjoying this situation.
Things are tough, we have to adjust... stay at home. It could’nt have been made clearer than that.

People’s relatives are dying because people aren’t listening, and are not staying at home.
Would you happily say to someone I’m so sorry your relative died, I really needed to get my toddler to sleep though?

No.
Stop it!

This was asked on the news yesterday. At some point you will need to full up with petrol, you could break down or have an accident, each of which carry a risk of coming in contact with people or surfaces. Why do you need to just go for a drive? It's not essential in any way. If not's essential don't do it. Just go for a walk and practice social distancing. At the very least make sure you going for a drive is for the purpose of essential shopping.

Although you can't be infected driving in your car, you could be caught up in an accident and end up in a hospital with multiple cases of CV, and doctors unable to care for you because they are so stretched. I wouldn't risk it, and I don't think you should either.
A walk in the pushchair? Or simply lie next to him in a dark room and sing quietly stroking his face gently. We all need to adjust and it takes time.

Honestly? As the mother of 2 Adhd kids and one of those suspected ASD, I feel you. I have only once in sheer desperation bundled the kids in the car and gone for a very long drive in order to maintain a sense of sanity. But; At 3, I would go for wearing him out with physical activity first and resort to the car only if absolutely necessary.

Mine are out in the garden for a large part of the day and on their trampoline as much as possible to burn off their excess energy. they are all older (7-11 years) but we realised probably about 3 years of age that physical exercise was a really good way to manage my oldest ADHDer.

I know the two conditions are different but they share a lot of similarities. Look on Facebook, Pinterest etc. There are loads of resources for physical activity which can be done in even the most limited of spaces.

I'm not sure it is forbidden. Mental health is important.

People who live in inner cities are allowed to drive somewhere where thy can get exercise, surely?

Just go for a walk and practice social distancing.

What about the people who can’t walk?

I spent nearly a year in a wheelchair a while back. I’d feel very vulnerable trying to go for a “wheel” and having to trust other people to practice the social distancing for me because they have better speed and direction control. God knows people are prone to try to walk through wheelchairs.

I just thank my lucky stars I’m not in that severe a position now but some people are.

I thought an essential part of the message was that leaving the house briefly once a day (while social distancing) was essential for mental health? A car is pretty good as a pod of you cannot walk. Or have a disabled child.

People who live in inner cities are allowed to drive somewhere where thy can get exercise, surely?

No they are not. Non essential travel is banned. You can't drive anywhere to get to somewhere nicer for exercise.

I know our rules aren't as strict as Spain (but the thinking behind them is the same) Example: A friend of mine lives in a small village very near the mountains. Her and her DC were stopped from walking their dog in the mountains - no one else around (dog walking is allowed within a certain boundary). Police said the reason being that they would NOT have the resources to help her IF anything should happen. Addressing each potential risk this way might change the way you think about it. The Government is trying to stop the spread but also trying to stop the amount of unnecessary possible accidents.

Could you just run the engine but stay on your driveway? Obviously not possible if you only have on street parking of course.

It’s not just the risk of an accident or breakdown - at some point you will need to fill up with fuel - something you wouldn’t have had to do otherwise. This will then add on another unnecessary journey which will bring you in contact with other people. Filling up your car should only be done if ssential - ie. so you can get to and from your essential job or the grocery store - not going for a drive every day

Thanks all
Didn't mean to start a debate or for anyone to get wound up.
As I mentioned, the points about breaking down/having an accident are valid. I know they can't cover every scenario in the rules, hence double checking people's thoughts.

He's a very active child and spent most of yesterday outside on the trampoline but got overtired by 3. I'm extremely lucky that he doesn't yet have meltdowns so we'll manage. It's been winding me up with people flouting the rules, I'm genuinely not one of those people. We'll try going for a walk in the stroller later. Thankfully it's quiet in our area with lots of little turn offs so social distancing should be easy.
Thanks all

Honey wort
Hopefully I didn't come across as sarcastic, it genuinely made me laugh at the thought of cuddling up with a book. We joke in my family that he makes the Flash look like a snail he just has a TON of energy.

donquixotedelamancha that is why the army will probably end up being called in.

You don't need to keep @ing me.

People can’t follow simple instructions or think of anyone but themselves

The army won't be called in because OP goes for a drive. I agree that those not trying to reduce the spread are reprehensible but OP going for a drive will make no difference to the spread of this disease.

There are major problems with some people's behaviour- this is not it.

Her and her DC were stopped from walking their dog in the mountains - no one else around (dog walking is allowed within a certain boundary). Police said the reason being that they would NOT have the resources to help her IF anything should happen.

How is four laps of a suburban British block in a modern car analogous to walking in the Spanish mountains?

Dr Hillary just said no you can't. Save your petrol for essential journeys to save you touching petrol pumps.

No more @ing then . People are already talking about not following instructions, less than 12 hours after they were issued. So logically things will have to tightened up. Rules are in place for a good reason. Maybe no contact could be maintained by road traffic accidents and breakdowns for non-essential journeys not being responded to. Let natural selection play out

Can everyone please be kind. No need for calling people out - the OP has a child with ASD, unless you are in the same boat you should not post your sweeping criticism.

I have an child with serious mental health issues - they are isolated from their boyfriend - he keeps her level and non-suicidal.

He lives a 10 minute drive away - I am considering the options. If do not manage this AS SENSIBLY AS POSSIBLE - I could lose my child.

I am worried about the implications for others, which is why I have been socially distancing for a good while.

This is not a cut and dried situation.

Dr Hillary just said no you can't. Save your petrol for essential journeys to save you touching petrol pumps.

Tabloid breakfast television personalities aren’t actually the people in charge. Thank goodness.

As it’s for your child’s well being and he has diagnosed medical conditions I’d say that actually IS essential travel because it’s essential for his wellbeing.

Bruffin thank you !

Arrietty I think those with mobility needs would be fine to go for a walk/roll in a wheel chair (still definitely exercise if it is self-propelled) or with any other mobility device like a walker for fresh air/exercise. For those with a neurological/muscular condition I imagine many got the text yesterday saying to stay indoors completely (we did).

Is there physio you can do indoors with your child? For my son's condition, there is a great community online (on Facebook), and there are videos by physios showing stretches and activities you can do.

I know its difficult, the rules will be difficult for a lot of people for a lot of different reasons. I have a disabled son over 30 miles, away, thankfully his sister is in a food store in the town where he lives, we all need to look after each other, family will of course come first, then others ALL others, yes, pushchair and walk, wear him out. I have hard sta-at-home Mums complaining they dont know what to do with their kids. Luckily we can at the moment excersise once a day, I have 2 dogs, very high BP have to get the old heart rate up, and live near the South Downs, you can walk for miles and not see a sole. If people dont comply, there will be Martial Law. I have friends in the Army, who were re-deplyed over 2 weeks ago. At least the sun is shining, its not raining!

@DuchenneParent I think maybe it takes time to feel confident on wheels. Thankfully I didn’t have to rack up that much experience.

My children are older now and no more ASC sleep drives are needed, but I remember those days well and it is irritating me that OP is getting such curt responses in a difficult situation.

I can imagine the Duchennes community is very supportive. I’m glad you have that in difficult times and that the lockdown isn’t too hard on you or your DC