Meltdowns/refusal to walk

[zoeybrooks45]

I wanting some advice around getting my 3 year old to walk to nursery. I am having trouble getting him to walk anywhere or comply when outside. I have tried everything treat, talking, pushchair, scooter, holding hands, leads etc. nothing works I drop him to an alternative entrance which is quiet and seperate. However even with this my child is having meltdowns that are lasting 30-45 mins when the school is a 2 min walk away. We do have an ECHP and provision in place is working. It’s just transitioning to and from school that is draining. It will end with either smashing head on the pavement, laying on the pavement or screaming all the way. I work and have an older child and I really want to make this work. However, this is proving very difficult. Please any advice or help that worked for your child. I am desperate for some help! Thank you in advance.

Unfortunately, for some DC, walking to nursery/school is too overwhelming.

I would continue with the pushchair for now because the meltdowns every day risk DS associating nursery/school with further trauma. Some find ear defenders, a big hood and sunglasses help.

Does the EHCP include OT (including sensory OT) provision?

It has sensory OT and integration in the plan including access and daily 3/4 times of sensory input. He is a sensory seeker and does not mind noises. However he is not able to co operate or listen to anything. It’s becoming really unsafe as he is running into the road or refusing to walk anywhere. Even the pushchair he is fighting screaming to be let out all the way home. He was never like this previously at his other setting. It might be the new routine I can put it down to. We are leaving very early leaving over 30 mins to walk. However even that is not enough with him just laying on the concrete floor. I will try the pushchair agian, however because I work I am unable to bring it back home. It’s a difficult one. I will be asking the school for reasonable adjustments on pick up aswell maybe earlier leave to avoid the crowds.

Does DS have any direct OT input or is it all done by nursery staff?

Ask the nursery if you can leave the pushchair there. Like you would with a wheelchair.

If DS likes noise would he listen or watch something on a phone or tablet (attached to the buggy so it can’t be thrown)?

My DS does not have meltdowns as such, but I know at this point that if I were to try walking him on the path where there is a busy road and he decides he doesn’t fancy holding my hand or he wants to run off, then I know he can become meltdown-ish, or better put ‘own agenda / I’m not doing what you want me to do’, and so I do still use the pushchair to walk DS to and from pre-school as he has a low awareness of danger and a limited sense of why he needs to hold my hand and stay close by etc.

we are currently working on smaller steps such as walking from the car to the supermarket, holding my hand and waiting to cross the road, and walking around safer areas trying to help him understand that he needs to stay in proximity and to follow us when we walk. Baby steps.

If he seeks sensory stimulation, could you take anything he likes (rainstick, play dough, favourite video on a tablet ..?), dress him in something he likes (fluffy onsie?), give him something to eat/drink/chew he likes and put him in a pushchair to feel it/play with it/ watch it/taste it and then hand him over with all of it at the nursery to gently transition there (and run)?

It’s all done by the nursery staff. He only has direct contact 1 a term. Which I don’t think is enough however they have equipment and recommendations from OT that they do daily. Because he is still young there is no structure in the day mostly play and free flowing. However, on the annual review I am considering having more OT input as it will be more needed the more structured the day gets around learning. What do you recommend? Now he has settle in fine and has calmed down at pick and drop off. I did have a meeting and they put my concerns and questions down followed up by an email communication confirming this. Unfortunately my private OT report was completely dismissed in the draft. Leaving the NHS one which focuses on toileting,eating, help with writing etc. nothing solid about the specific activities for regulating and sensory input.

DS needs more direct therapy input. When is the AR? You may have to appeal when you next have the right of appeal.

Would be before May 2025. As that is when it was issued. Can the school source out sensory OT input? Because they keep telling me it’s not available on the NHS.

You can request an early review. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use. The school could fund SIOT but they are unlikely to do so. You need it detailed, specified and quantified in F then it must be provided and the LA is responsible,