Would you do this/ child with autism

[Izzy54321]

Neighbours are putting their 4 year old child on the trampoline for 1-2 hours a day when their child is clearly distressed. They are doing this as early as 7.30am and it is always only very early in the morning. I’m not bothered by the noise I’m concerned about an upset small child. The child just throws themselves about screaming and crying. WWYD?? Should I ignore or would you be concerned too??

No child should be on a trampoline for that long.

Are they screaming for the entire time or are they going onto the trampoline when totally dysregulated and then calming after a while?

They really only stop to catch their breath. Then when they calm down which can be anything from 1-2 hours the mom comes and fetches them.

I agree but I didn’t know if the parents were using the trampoline as they can’t get hurt maybe??

I wouldn’t think that’s great. My son used to have meltdowns that could last a whole day basically. But you can’t just chuck them out on the trampoline to pierce everyone else’s ears instead of yours!

Not sure what you can do though.

Thank you for your reply I really don’t mind the noise I just feel bad for the little one. As you say what can I do.

Is it a trampoline with a net round it or can the kid get off him/herself?

It sounds like they're trapping the kid in the trampoline like a playpen (or a prison), but I might be picturing a different type of trampoline.

I guess if the kid can get down and is choosing to stay on there, it's obviously still annoying for the neighbours but probably ok. Plus it makes sense as lots of people with autism need the movement and the parents might be following OT or CAMHS advice.

If the kid is stuck in there, though, that's a different story IMO.

Very little realistically! Do you know them? Would it be at all possible to bring it up to them in a gentle way? More like ‘oh heard little Emily a bit upset earlier, hope she’s ok now.’

There is netting but they don’t zip it up so if the child wanted to get down they could. But actually thinking about it I’ve never seen the child walking they are always in a pushchair. Thank you for answering I am hoping you’re right and they are following advice.

That is a problem I don’t know them I only moved next door 3 months ago. Hopefully I’m worrying over nothing and they just want to keep them safe while they are overwhelmed.

The kind of movement a trampoline provides can provide the kind of sensory input an autistic child needs to become calmer

Ahhhh thank you for your reply I feel better knowing this info. 🙏

I mean, if they are following advice, it still sounds like they've taken it to extremes.

It doesn't seem right if they're dumping the kid outside and they can't walk themselves back in, but I guess it's hard to know what's really going on and it's easy to jump to conclusions based on the few facts we do know.

I think if you feel comfortable, I would pop round and just ask if everything's ok as you heard the kid was distressed.

My neighbour did that once not long after we'd moved in when my DD was having constant meltdowns when puberty hit, and we had a frank conversation about the issue and what CAMHS, etc had advised. It put her mind at rest that we had support and I was less stressed about the neighbours potentially hating us as we'd all cleared the air and were all on the same page. It obviously didn't stop the meltdowns but it did ease all of the adults' stress levels.

Thank you for the advice I will approach them this week I normally just say hello but I think you’re right just asking them would be helpful for the both of us. Let’s hope they don’t get offended. I shall tread carefully I will be mindful of what I say.