Autistic toddler needing special car seat, any suggestions?

[therapymumsy]

Hi, I am fostering a SN child who has just been diagnosed with Autism and hyper flexibility as well as other disorders / syndromes . As this is the first child I have cared for with SN I am going along with flow and getting advice from as many people as poss! So far all the professionals have been wonderful......and you knew there was a but.....I had been waiting to see the OT as car journeys have been somewhat fraught , in fact I now avoid motorways after last month! I happened to glance in rear view mirror and saw little L standing up in his seat, having wriggled free of arm straps! They are done up as tight as possible but because he constantly wriggles he manages to escape. Ive tried toys (thrown at me ) distractions and even mittens! So the long awaited visit to OT was hopefully going to solve this issue! No.....apparently "not something she deals with" and questioned whether or not I really needed it......
The HV has been brill, organising a special cot, which is being made for him and funded by a charity. I also asked OT about special clothing as he manages to undress at night, even when dressed back to front. This usually results in him finding delight in exploring his nappy!
So, sorry for ramble but was hoping someone may of experienced similar issues.
Many thanks x

I know how scary it can be when they escape from car seats. I had the happen with Dd2. I looked in my mirror a she was standing looking out of the back window. Not on the motorway though.

There are products available on the market to stop escapologists. I hope some one will be along later to recommend some to you.

I wanted to say what a lovely person you are to foster a child with such challenges.

Good luck.

Try this company. They are very good and they will give you good advice. They specialise in all things car seats for NT and SN children.
www.incarsafetycentre.co.uk/

have a look at Crelling Harnesses (they are very helpful on the phone too)

my dd1 uses one in the car, as she slides out from underneath her seatbelt (she is 7, and in a high backed booster seat).

she was about 3 when we first started using one, i think - I can't quite rememebr! I don't know if they have anything for a 5 point harness seat, but it's worth a look.

at the least, they do a cross strap which fits across the chest straps, and would make it harder to wriggle free.

good luck!

oh, there is another company - maybe Windmill harness or similar?

This might help?

I used something like this with my dts who did the same thing.

Your OT sounds rather unhelpful! How old is he? For the dressing thing, have you tried sleepsuits that zip up the back?

Contact the OT connected to social services (the disabled childrens team should be able to do referral - you want the OT who deals with disabled facilities grants, adaptations etc) and ask them to help. Crelling harnesses, SN buggies, safety equipment etc should be provided for free.

Would agree with Agnes... my friend has just had help from the disabled facilities tem through the local council and they were great.

On the clothes front, have you tried putting him in a sleeping bag, my ds used to do the same until I started using these, and they go right up to age three plus.

Crelling harness worked for me too, supplied via OT through social services for free. For the nighttime my ds also strips and gets into his nappy (he's 11), so can make a huge mess i buy K.C. Sleepsuits online and they are the best invention ever.

Thankyou all so much for support and info. SS OT was the way to go and The Parents Consortium has been wonderful . Another Q ... Weighted blankets ? Helpful?

Depends on the child. Mine hated being restricted, others love it!

We put DS3 in one of those warm fuzzy sleepers backwards, as otherwise he takes it off and takes his nappy off (he's 2). DS2 did this as well, so it's become a bit of a tradition here - sleeper on backwards for awhile. (although DS3 just flings the nappy... DS2 liberally painted his room with it )

If DS3 manages to get it off at this point, it will then move on to INSIDE OUT and backwards. harder to get at the zip that way.