My little boy is 7 years old. I have 4 older children who are very much "normal" in social settings so education and health have outrulled parenting being the issue with my little boy. He has been assessed for the past 2 years for autism and adhd so is at the last stage and waiting for the final test to be done before formal diagnosis. When I take him out he struggles, he can't handle shops, restaurants or anywhere really with people he doesn't know, bright lights, music etc. so becomes difficult to manage. I have mobility issues and rely on a mobility scooter when out so put him on my knee but I can only do that so long before he becomes too heavy.
Obviously the behaviours are outwith our control and his control; we've tried everything from ear defenders, staying calm, giving him in trouble, having him help etc but he obviously must feel terrified in such social settings.
To try and have him feel secure and to make going out easier for us and him would it be wrong to put him in a pushchair? He puts himself in danger but also I struggle to walk to him or move him when he has a flare up and I know his safety is paramount. I'm at the end of my tether so thinking a pushchair may help but then again I don't want him feeling he is being treated like a baby. As him mum I just want to keep him safe and secure whilst he feels loved whilst struggling with mobility issues.