Getting 6yo to school without seriously being hurt?

[SweetSugarPlum]

I am in desperate need of advice on how to safely get my son to school. Suspected ADHD, this afternoon has been the hell picking him up, I’ve had parents screaming at me to stop my son, scared for him, he bolted all the way across main roads and I was shouting for him to stop and he was acting as if he couldn’t hear anything.

another parent eventually grabbed hold of him, I was shaking and extremely stressed that my son almost got killed by a car, nothing gets through to him, I speak to him before we leave he promises and as soon as that front door is open he is gone like a dog being let off a lead, I can’t do this anymore.

I already moved my children’s school as I couldn’t risk the longer journey we used to take, now this school is literally five mins walk away but it feels like eternity to actually get there in one piece.

I have him hold my hand he will get lose he is strong and will kick/hurt me to get off, he would absolutely not put reins on I just don’t know what to do anymore so I welcome any idea no matter how stupid we may look as long as I can keep him safe.

Have you requested transport?

In the meantime, can you drive or use wheelchair/SN buggy. Picking DS up slightly early may help too.

DS is 5 and is also a runner.
I’ve had to buy reins - big, strong ones for older children. https://amzn.eu/d/a1bWtGN

DS is not keen at all (understatement!) but it’s better than the alternative of him being run over. He doesn’t get a choice about wearing them…. if I can see he’s in the state when he’s most likely to run then I put them on him.

Sometimes me just carrying the reins is enough to keep him walking sensibly. Although you never know when impulse may strike!

Absolutely request transport.

Do you drive? Speak to the school possibly they will allow you to drive into the school to drop/collect. It was a bit of a fight but I got school to allow this for my non SEN kid as I had my SEN kid with me who was like this. Then I got transport again after a fight.

Your child is entitled to an education and to be safe. Suitable to his needs. It's the law. His need mean normal school runs are not an option if you push for it there will be help the school and LA have a legal duty

Thankyou for your helpful reply, I haven’t ever considered transport as an option, I will look into this option, I (silly at my age) can’t drive yet, I have a test booked for next year and I’m hoping then I can drop him as close to the gate as I can get.

I have my younger child in a buggy so I can’t push two of them, I could get a buggy board which just sprang to mind, worth a shot at this point.

I used to drop him to breakfast club, this did help to some extent as there were less distractions around, this year however I had to stop as his brother went into the juniors school and so the timings do not work out anymore. I can certainly ask for the earlier pick up however again his brother finishes the same time unless I can explain to the juniors school and they agree. Thankyou these are definitely helpful ways to make things easier.

A buggy could still be an option. How old is your younger child and what is their weight? You can get SN buggies with a side pod or if younger DC is a little older you can get double SN buggies or an adaptor than can connect 2 SN buggies together.

How is DS out and about outside of school run times?

Definitely speak to both schools about what would work best for DC. Once you have learnt to drive, you could ask to park on the school’s premises, not just close to the gates.