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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Reins or similar?

11 replies

Rockmaiden · 05/04/2011 03:51

My son is nearly 7 and suffers from autism, adhd and gdd.
As well as other 'issues' we are having big problems with him running away / hiding when out and about, especially when startled.

He has NO sense of danger and will gladly run into traffic etc.

As most days I am pushing a buggy as well as watching him it is hard work if he suddenly decides to take off as it means chasing him pram in tow.

I am considering buying some reins to keep him close but worry that he would a) get out of them, b) look quite silly meaning lots of tutting people walking past.

Is there anything that would work in the same way but isn't quite so 'babyish' for want of a better word.

OP posts:

wraith · 05/04/2011 04:52

ive seen a strap thats just one wrist rather then something that looks like its made to drive a team

but saftey> babyish or style

catherinea1971 · 05/04/2011 07:16

Have you contacted your OT dept? I had an app with them the other day about car seats, buggies etc and she asked if my ds would tolerate a harness (like reins) she said that crelling do them.
www.crelling.com/PRODUCTS.htm

Hope that helps.

Tiggles · 05/04/2011 07:33

I got a wrist strap for a fiver from mothercare the other day. For the price it migt be worth trying as a lot more discrete than reins. Whilst my 4 yr old can undo it he has never tried when walking along I think that takes too much concentration!

Al1son · 05/04/2011 07:43

Wrist straps can work well as, although the child can often undo them, that gives you the warning you need to stop them.

You can also get little backpacks which work like reins but don't look like them.

DietcokeGirl · 05/04/2011 09:16

I have just got a wrist strap and a little life backpack for DS1 (ASC, 3.9). I was worried about him looking bit old for reins (he looks older than he is!). Both have seemed to work quite well. He feels like he has got a bit more freedom as opposed to me clinging onto his hand for dear life! We just went on holiday and saw loads of people using the liffle life ones so think they are the 'in thing' now! Also noticed my neighbour using a wrist strap for her little girl and she is older than DS1. If you think he may get out of the wrist strap then go for the backpack. He may like it - make him think he is carrying something he likes. We got them off amazon. I am much more relaxed now when pushing pram and holding onto DS1 though admittedly I don't go far on my own with them.

Triggles · 05/04/2011 09:39

When DH & I are out with both boys (DS2 4, DS3 1), one is in charge of the pushchair and the other in charge of DS2 (holding his hand continually so he doesn't run). But when I'm out on my own with both boys, I have no problem using the reins on DS2. I don't care if anyone tuts at us - some will tut at ANYONE using reins as they seem to have some weird issue with them. Personally I go with the idea that I'd rather use reins that may draw slight attention than have him get run over. DS2 is getting to the point where I may order the crelling reins/harness now though, as the toddler ones are difficult over a medium to heavy jacket. But, to be fair, DS2 doesn't recognise or acknowledge at this point when people are looking or tutting at us (unless they get right in his face), so he's not bothered about that. I think a lot depends on your child.

We don't like the wrist strap as DS2 will pull and yank on it and throw his whole body weight down and I worry that he might injure his wrist. Or manage to undo it.

ouryve · 05/04/2011 10:23

wrist straps work well as a reminder, but if you have a child who is likely to try and pull away, they can cause shoulder injuries.

I'm about to order some crelling walking reins for DS2, since he's learnt to escape his baby reins and they don't fit very well over his winter coats any more, anyhow. He undid the parent strap, the other day and fell flat on his back on a hard floor as he pulled away and bumped his head. He might be nearly 5, but I'd rather he didn't get the chance to run into danger when he's not in his buggy. I don't care how he looks.

Original poster

Rockmaiden · 05/04/2011 11:23

I don't think a wrist strap would work as like Triggles my son will throw himself to the floor and fight against it.

I have seen the Crellin harnesses and they look really good, I suppose I worry too much about how it looks.

OP posts:

starfishmummy · 05/04/2011 15:26

I got a harness from crelling. It wasn't hugely expensive (but was a few years ago). DS used to wear it if he was using his walking frame. I suppose I didn't think too much about how it looked because ds doesn't look "normal" anyway iyswim, so in the scheme of things it didn't matter.

Original poster

Rockmaiden · 05/04/2011 20:06

Yes see it sounds awfull but i'm very aware that he basically looks like a really naughty child.

He is nearly 7, very big for his age and looks 'normal' to the general public.

When he is darting in roads or stripping naked in the middle of asda I just look like I have no control and I can be fairly sensitive to that so I am worried having a harness on him will make that worse.

His safety is a huge issue however and it's going to be a harness or a bloody ball and chain at the moment lol.

OP posts:

signandsmile · 06/04/2011 20:04

I use both back pack with 'lead' which works well for us, and he is happy to wear it, (nearly 5, ASD, LD)

I also 'made' a wrist strap, (soft velvety cats collar, moved the catch, so it is shorter and fits his wrist, and it has a meal loop on it so I can attach a thin dogs lead to it and just unlatch him to run about) it is known as 'the strappy' and he he will give me his wrist to put it on.

He does not like his hand held!

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