Having a child whos a "runner"

[NoNamesLeft86]

Its really getting to me now. Ds is 4 with asd and SLD. He has low understanding in general.

If you let go of his hand for even a second he just runs. It doesnt matter where he is or what danger is around he just runs.

He has always been like this but as he is getting older, bigger and heavier (he is huge for his age). Its just getting harder. I have 3 other kids so he just can't have my 1:1 attention

Anybody else?

If he needs to be in a buggy to maintain his safety you should be entitled to one through your local wheelchair service, even though he can walk. Something like a Maclaren Major is lightweight and folds.

If it's any reassurance I was a runner / wanderer when I was a child, I had reins and when I outgrew them a wrist strap thing that buzzed when I strayed to far from my parent. I eventually stopped at about 9 or 10, there's hope.

My son was known as a runner when he was at mainstream primary school, bloody nightmare he was and couldn’t let go of his hand for a minute and he’d be off, didn’t help that he didn’t like his hand being held so I use to hold his wrist but boy did I keep fit.

Fast forward and my ds is now 17 years old and it’s no longer a problem, he goes to a really good special school and they taught him to hold onto their arm and at the same time they held it firmly to their chest I adopted the same method at home and he was much happier and didn’t attempt to run off, though some of that is probably age and he has grown out of it, but I’m always aware that he could do it.

Ds now will walk along side me with out having to hold my arm but I do encourage him to hold my arm when we cross the road, it makes me feel better. Forgot to mention my ds has asd and sld.

Thanks for the replies.
We do have reins and a mclauren major for him. But still struggle. Its things like going to the park or events etc. We are going to a wedding reception tonight and unfortunately are leaving him behind (which is a nightmare in itself with childcare). If he came he would spend the whole time trying to escape.

At parks, we only go to ones that are secure. But even then he can spot am open gate like crazy and will dart out given the chance. Its exhausting and my other 3 children (one of who is younger than him) get no attention because im chasing him constantly.
While all the other parents in the park sit and have a chat. I guess it makes me a bit jelous and I am probably being selfish.

We went to a picnic for nephews birthday recently and it was an open space and was a nightmare. The only time i wasnt running after him was when he was strapped into his buggy. But then i feel so guilty because all the other kids are having fun and playing.

He does go to a really good SEN school. He has been there for a year now and is now in reception year.

I guess im just tired of it all. Its so phyisically demanding from me (ive got hypermobility and arthritis and I must admit, also overweight).

And worried one day he will.get lost/snatched/run over or something.

My son has ASD and SLD and was a dreadful runner for years. He is now 10 and less of a runner but still a wanderer who has zero safety awareness and needs very close attention. He is my eldest of 3 (10, 8 and 4).

We used a major buggy for years. Also used a little life backpack with rein, then a wrist strap (which I still use now).

I always carry a hi viz vest for him with my phone number written on. I find the hi viz helps me to spot him better in busy places, and alerts strangers to the fact that there may be additional needs going on. He regularly wears ear defenders which also serve as a visual cue to strangers and make it easier to spot him.

My other two children are pretty amazing at helping with keeping an eye one him (obviously this was much harder when they were all younger).

He also wears a gps device just in case he manages to escape, I can track his location on my phone.

Probably explains why I've never been over 7 stone since he was able to walk!

Also, I have in the past paid teenaged relatives to trail him at wedding parties etc. My son enjoys parties, so paying someone to follow him round and keep him safe works well for us, and means he can still join us and we can relax.