Any ideas would be most welcome

[RinkyDinkyDoo]

DS is 4, 5 in March and ASD. He goes to an assessment unit,which he started in Sept. We're thrilled with the progress he has made so far,and he loves going to school. On Fridays they take his class out-parks,playgrounds,museums,supermarket cafes etc At a parents meeting,we found out that he is on reins when they go out. This gutted me if I'm honest. When we go out as a family either myself or DH hold his hand and he's fine with that,and anyone we're with know not to let go of his hand as he is a runner. I understand that as part of a class trip it is probably the easiest/safest thing to do,so I accept this.
In the supermarket he goes in the seat of a trolley and is happy to do so, but a man commented that he was too big to do this and could walk- i smiled sweetly at him,but wished terrible things on him-nosey big mouthed arsehole.
Any ideas of how I can help/train DS to walk next to us without running off would be gratefully received.

I have no helpful advice on helping ds walk with you but we have one of these Toddler rucksack with reins was only thinking it gives you chance to have reins without looking like reins and him practise not holding your hand but being near you, hopefully some one with some experience will along soon!

Explain what you want him to do and give him lots of praise for getting it right. Eg stopping at the kerb, helping push the trolley. Can you make a game of it and ask him to get things to put in the trolley and have something to focus on?
If he holds hands when out with you then he can do it at school, you might need to keep reminding them politely.

Ps running is very good for them. My ds is same age exactly. One thing we have tried is him racing to the next lamp post and then back to mum with lots of praise for running back. And generally praising and hugging him when he 'checks in'. This has improved things.

If you have a dog a good idea is to add a second leash, one for you, one for him. It It very common that autistic service dogs are used this way, to promote independance but with added saftey barrier.

Thanks for your suggestions.x

We had this problem with ds.

We went for little walks. Out of the house and to the first lamp post and then back. If he walked next to me without running off he got something that he had chosen before we set out.

Next time we did the second lamp post. It became a game and he loved it, and started to ask to go out to walk.

We also played a game where he could run, but stop as soon as I said 'stop'. He was rewarded for this too.

hth

Also, though, if you are happy with him in seat of trolley and he is happy in there then let him go in there and just ignore big mouthed people :)