At what point to move from Mac Major to w/c?

[Triggles]

We're struggling with this one, tbh. DS2 is probably content to stay in the Mac Major awhile, however, his knees are up a bit, and I cannot imagine him being comfortable in it within the year.

He has ASD/ADHD/DCD/hypermobility, and sensory problems, and I simply cannot see us going without something (either MM or WC) as mobility can be a real problem, and I am not capable of carrying him everywhere (especially as he gets taller and bigger). He's almost 6 now, very tall, skinny, so long legs flying all over the place when he is refusing or unable to walk.

When did or do others plan on making that change from pushchair to wheelchair? I would like to get the wheelchair while we still have the pushchair to assist in a transition, but I can't imagine wheelchair services will go for that. sigh

We swapped when my son was 6 (ADHD Hypermobile, hypotonic etc etc) as he was very tall and looked silly!

Have to say I was not impressed with the wheelchair we we given.. you will be offered an Invacare Blade or something similar and they are unwieldy things (get big wheels..the small wheeled transit ones are awful) and much bulkier to fold, but they are more age appropriate IMO..

On the other hand you do get a lot of odd looks when your mobile child gets out of a wheelchair and walks ( there seems to be some assumption that your child mustn't be able to walk at all!)

Thanks. We are already getting odd looks, so that won't be anything new.

Did you flat out swap or did they allow an overlap so your DC could get used to the change gradually?

We ended up with a flat swap because one day the major buggy just buckled! DS2 was no where near the weight limits either.. very tall and very very thin, but it had had a LOT of use! Luckily DS2 didn't care at all, and we got some fabulous wheel guards made (spokeart.com in the usa) which made him think it was the best thing ever

Ah. I read that the MM was good until they were 11yo (or something similar) and I just can't imagine it. At almost 6yo, his knees are sticking up some and it's creaking occasionally. And while he's tall, he's quite skinny, so he's not that heavy.

I think we would need to get some type of 5 point harness for him as well, for safety reasons, as ironically he is also a runner. (yep, one of those weird things - need a wheelchair for a runner, eh? )

we swapped when ds2 was about 5, wchair services weren't interested in having the mac major back so we had both for a while & then got rid of the buggy. DS2 was becoming aware that others his age didnt use a pushchair & a had a couple of comments from kids at school.
He much prefers a wchair.
We also get some funny looks when ds2 does has a miracle moment & leaps from his wchair.

We are currently waiting for DS2's wheelchair to be built. He is 4. He has never had a mac major but had a SN buggy for a while when he was 2.

Thanks for the responses. I will have to speak to OT about it, as she organised it for us last time. I'm hoping for a couple months overlap to allow for a transition time for him.