Letting 9 year old out on his own

[flea101]

9 nearly 10 year old is diagnosed autistic and ADHD. Attends a specialist school. He wants to start going to our local park on his own, it is a very quiet estate and one road he has to cross but we get about 2 cars an hour coming up. Husband wants to try, I don’t think he has the social or emotional skills to be out on his own. We have done a few little trials, each time something has gone wrong such as playing too rough, not coming home on time or not looking to cross the road. I know he is growing up and needs some independence but he seems so immature and little still. Does anyone have any thoughts on my situation? Thank you

If you have tried a few times and it has gone wrong, then I wouldn’t. What you could do is work up to some independence. For example, you taking DS to the park and allowing him to play independently whilst you go for a walk at a distance, so he is still within sight but giving him some freedom. Then when DS is able to do that successfully, you going for a walk further away. Then you taking DS, but coming home and going back to pick him up. Then watching him across the road, etc.