Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

SN children

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

Flip

Original poster

Buggy for special needs ?!

15 replies

moneysaver87 · 19/08/2012 20:27

Hi, last july my now 2 and a half year old daughter was diagnosed with severe learning disabilities and autism (plus sensory problems). Now that she's 2 and a half she's reaching the weight limits for her buggy but that isn't my main concern. When she's in the buggy she can reach the wheels and she also likes to use her feet as breaks. I need a sturdy buggy which will take her weight and size (she's getting tall !).
I was told to go through physio to get a buggy sorted (probably the maclaren major). I asked physio and she wasn't impressed. She first told me that she didnt think the company was giving them out any more (I knew this wasnt true because I'd looked it up online the night before) she then implied there wasn't enough need (which enraged me). I need a buggy for her. I don't have a car and cannot walk to tesco and do shopping and carry it all back and have hold of her. She's forever trying to get away from me when we're out and about which scares me (we live on a main road). Also I struggle to keep hold of her (the older and stronger she gets) and keep her 4 year old sister close, it's just all so stressful. I wish I could afford to buy a buggy but I can't. Am I right in thinking this isn't fair ? She's not physically disabled but the need is there, it's just a different kind of need. Any advice appreciated :)

OP posts:

raffle · 19/08/2012 20:52

My friend accepted an appt with the physio which was slap bang in the middle of her DS nap time. She also squashed his hulking great frame into a tiny past-it's-best buggy. He was very grouchy and difficult, and the buggy was literally groaning and buckling under his weight.

Worked a treat, her Major was delivered by the end of the month

Pixel · 19/08/2012 21:42

Our health visitor referred us to wheelchair services and we had our Major very quickly, could you try that route?

elliejjtiny · 19/08/2012 22:19

Have you got an occupational therapist? They can refer you to wheelchair services as well and personally I find them more likely to do it than a physio. If not then just ask every proffessional your DD has to refer you. That's what I did when DS2 grew out of his buggy. The health visitor said he should try and walk to school 1.5 miles away. On a good day he can walk 20 yards before he falls over and about 100 yards before getting back in the wheelchair. Thankfully the OT was a lot more realistic.

keepingupwiththejoneses · 19/08/2012 23:28

OT is a much better option that physio. OT seem to more aware of the needs of asd kids than physios, well for buggies anyway.

Triggles · 20/08/2012 07:19

Yes, we got a Mac Major for DS2 through his OT. We're now working on arrangements to switch him from Mac Major to wheelchair, again through OT. Even though his disability is "invisible," he just cannot cope with longer walks and get overloaded so easily that going without a chair of some sort makes life hell. I'm not willing to throw my back out carrying a very tall 6yo who is flailing about and can't or won't walk.

Original poster

moneysaver87 · 20/08/2012 09:16

Thanks for all the advice, the physio lady did send through the letter in the end I'm just worried if she wrote in there or somehow implied that there wasn't enough need that they'll refuse us. If they do refuse us can I apply again ? I mean if they say no could I go to OT ? Thanks again x

OP posts:

Pixel · 20/08/2012 22:16

We've just exchanged ds's Major for a wheelchair. I expected to have to justify why he needed it, especially as he marched into the appointment at wheelchair services but they didn't question it at all. Within 10 mins he'd been measured up, we'd chosen what sort of brakes/harness etc we wanted and were on our way back out. I couldn't believe it. Just goes to show that some 'departments' have a much better understanding of the realities of everyday life with ASD than others.

Triggles · 20/08/2012 23:53

moneysaver - if they refuse, it can't hurt to then go to OT.

pixel - that's what we're hoping for when we go in next week. OT is pretty supportive. I'd prefer the Mac Major in terms of folding up in boot of car and just simple portability (and ease of pushing), but realistically I think he's ready for the move to a wheelchair.

lisad123 · 21/08/2012 00:20

We got referral for mac major via SN Hv. No questions, dd2 has autism and hyper mobility so at some point we might have to consider something else.
In the meantime if you can get a mountain buggy, they are big, strong and easy to push.

Original poster

moneysaver87 · 21/08/2012 09:36

Thanks, fingers crossed they get back to me and say she can have one and that'll be it, if not I'll be back here lol Thanks again for all the info ! :)

OP posts:

Original poster

moneysaver87 · 21/08/2012 17:38

Got a call from the physio lady today. She told me that they said they won't give me a buggy because my daughter doesn't have postural needs but they will give me a wheelchair. Doesn't really make sense to me.
This is also the second time she implies that my daughter shouldn't need a buggy now (she's 2 and a half). Apart from the fact that something is needed for me to put her in to trek up the school twice a day for her sister, I can't walk her it would be impossible ! She needs something for her own safety, when I take her out I don't want to be stressing that she's going to run in to the middle of the road. Should I take the wheelchair or try and fund the MMajor ? The only thing with the major is that I've been told that it can tip (which is a concern for me because she almost tipped her current buggy the other day just from excitement so if she was in meltdown no doubt she could easily tip it ...

OP posts:

elliejjtiny · 21/08/2012 19:14

DS2 (aged 4) has a wheelchair and I find it better than the buggy as he has more rights as a wheelchair user. I've lost count of the number of times I was told "please leave the buggy outside" or "you can't take the buggy in here". With the wheelchair they wouldn't dare so DS1 proudly pushes DS2 around the school corridors. You might want to ask for a proper harness to be included if your DD is a wriggler. DS2's wheelchair has a lap belt which is fine for him but I wouldn't put a younger child in it if they were likely to try and escape.

Triggles · 22/08/2012 07:39

elliejjtiny - that is one of the many reasons we have asked to swap from a Mac Major to a wheelchair.

Original poster

moneysaver87 · 22/08/2012 10:10

I never thought of it like that, it could be a real nightmare sometimes if we were told we couldn't take the buggy ! I think I was just worrying about this being a step back rather than forward and also being judged by other people (including my own family !) I think I'm being daft though. A wheelchair and a buggy, same thing really just looks different !

OP posts:

Marne · 22/08/2012 10:45

We use a sn mountain buggy for dd2(6), she has ASD and hypermobility but can walk (just refuses too sometimes), we were turned down through whell chair services as they no longer suply for children with ASD in our area , we bought a 2nd hand maclaren major on e-bay but struggled off road (we live in the middle of nowhere and wanted something i could use whilst walking the dog) so we bought a 2nd hand mountain buggy. Its perfect for us but is not that great around town, luckily i rarely take dd2 shopping and if i do she can manage to walk.

Flip