Re: Car Seat for Autistic Children?

[Guest guest]

Wow. If one doesn't exist, it should! If you can't find one, you should try contacting the manufacturers of baby seats and let them know there's a market for this.

 

Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input!

-- Lydia Glider-Broward County Special Needs Parents Examinerwww.examiner.com<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3

WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom.info<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:www.iamautism.org

<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. " ~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

Wow. If one doesn't exist, it should! If you can't find one, you should try contacting the manufacturers of baby seats and let them know there's a market for this.

 

Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input!

-- Lydia Glider-Broward County Special Needs Parents Examinerwww.examiner.com<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3

WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom.info<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:www.iamautism.org

<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. " ~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

Wow. If one doesn't exist, it should! If you can't find one, you should try contacting the manufacturers of baby seats and let them know there's a market for this.

 

Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input!

-- Lydia Glider-Broward County Special Needs Parents Examinerwww.examiner.com<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3

WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom.info<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:www.iamautism.org

<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. " ~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

For those looking for car seat or buckles, there is a type of buckle that goes around the seat belt buckle, though I cannot recall the name of it.

However, my first suggestion would be to do some lessons on the importance of keeping a seat belt on. This is a great teaching opportunity. I don't know how old the child is or their ability to understand and process language but Dora always says, "We wear our seatbelts so we can be safe." I used to say that every time I buckled up my son. I eventually left off the last word and he would say, "safe." Later, I added, "Why do we wear our seatbelts? So, we can be ____." He would say, "safe." And just varied the type of questions and fill-ins until he got it. If the child wants to go someplace, that is the motivator for keeping the seatbelt on and safe. For example, the playground, etc... If the seatbelt does not stay on, we don't go. Then, eventually add places he/she doesn't care to go but practicing using the motivators for wearing it will be the beginning.

Yes, this is a process and it takes time. But it teaches the concept of keeping a seat belt on, which is the ultimate goal, not a band-aid.

How old is the child and has this ever been attempted to be taught before? What is the child's ability to understand language as you view it?

If you need troubleshooting, let me know. I just believe it is more important to use this as a teachable moment for safety in general.

From: Lydia Glider-

Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 10:16 PM

To: sList

Subject: Re: Car Seat for Autistic Children?

Wow. If one doesn't exist, it should! If you can't find one, you should try contacting the manufacturers of baby seats and let them know there's a market for this.

On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 8:40 AM, Cardonne <mcardonne> wrote:

Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input!

-- Lydia Glider-Broward County Special Needs Parents Examinerwww.examiner.com<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom.info<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:www.iamautism.org<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." ~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

Safety 1st Apex 65 High Back Booster Car SeatI bought mine for $85 a couple yrs ago. It is a 5 point harness up to 65 lbs I understand they make one now up to 80.

Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input!

-- Lydia Glider-Broward County Special Needs Parents Examinerwww.examiner. com<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom. info<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:www.iamautism. org

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." ~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

Safety 1st Apex 65 High Back Booster Car SeatI bought mine for $85 a couple yrs ago. It is a 5 point harness up to 65 lbs I understand they make one now up to 80.

Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input!

-- Lydia Glider-Broward County Special Needs Parents Examinerwww.examiner. com<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom. info<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:www.iamautism. org

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." ~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

Years ago when my kids were young, there was a cover that velcroed over the

button that kept kids from un-hooking the seatbelt. for what it is worth, my

husband suggests trying to find a little box of somekind that you could lock

around the latch/button with a suitcase lock or little lock.

G.

>

> >

> >

> > Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic

> > child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need

> > to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input!

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

> Lydia Glider-

> Broward County Special Needs Parents Examiner

> www.examiner.com

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> WE CAN DO THIS

> http://www.nopom.info

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:

> www.iamautism.org

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> " First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then

> you win. "

> ~~Mahatma Gandhi

>

[Guest guest]

I bought something called buckle guard: Here's the link:www.especialneeds.com--- Subject: Re: Car Seat for Autistic Children?To: sList Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 3:34 PM

Years ago when my kids were young, there was a cover that velcroed over the button that kept kids from un-hooking the seatbelt. for what it is worth, my husband suggests trying to find a little box of somekind that you could lock around the latch/button with a suitcase lock or little lock.

G.

>

> >

> >

> > Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic

> > child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need

> > to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input!

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

> Lydia Glider-

> Broward County Special Needs Parents Examiner

> www.examiner. com

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> WE CAN DO THIS

> http://www.nopom. info

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:

> www.iamautism. org

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then

> you win."

> ~~Mahatma Gandhi

>

[Guest guest]

I bought something called buckle guard: Here's the link:www.especialneeds.com--- Subject: Re: Car Seat for Autistic Children?To: sList Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 3:34 PM

Years ago when my kids were young, there was a cover that velcroed over the button that kept kids from un-hooking the seatbelt. for what it is worth, my husband suggests trying to find a little box of somekind that you could lock around the latch/button with a suitcase lock or little lock.

G.

>

> >

> >

> > Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic

> > child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need

> > to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input!

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

> Lydia Glider-

> Broward County Special Needs Parents Examiner

> www.examiner. com

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> WE CAN DO THIS

> http://www.nopom. info

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:

> www.iamautism. org

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then

> you win."

> ~~Mahatma Gandhi

>

[Guest guest]

Great advise! Very well written. We have pulled over many MANY times on our way somewhere to re-buckle and emphasize the necessity of the seat belt for safety. He could unbuckle....he could buckle, and we would just wait- and use the motivator etc.Rose President, The Safety Sleeper inc. TMThe easy to use zippered enclosure keeps your sleeper safe in his/her own bed and prevents them from unattended wandering. This gives your sleeper the freedom to wind down and go to sleep on their own.To learn more, click onThe Safety Sleeper www.thesafetysleeper.com

--- Re: Car Seat for Autistic Children? Wow. If one doesn't exist, it should! If you can't find one, you should try contacting the manufacturers of baby seats and let them know there's a market for this. On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 8:40 AM, Cardonne <mcardonne> wrote: Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input! -- Lydia Glider-Broward County Special Needs Parents Examinerwww.examiner.com<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom.info<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:www.iamautism.org<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." ~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

boy do I agree with the fact that one SHOULD be available. But I'll tell ya that at least back about a year ago when I was desperatly trying to find something for this exact reason, there wasn't.

 

And I will also say that some of the other products mentioned have to be looked at very closely as they won't work on all carseats or seat belts.  

My daughter is 6 1/2 and by FL state law she is allowed to sit in a regular seatbelt (since she turned 4), however between the ASD and her ADHD, she really does not sit safely in a seat belt and she is small for her age, so the seat belts don't fit her appropriately. I'm a HUGE car seat safety advocate and have taken multiple classes on car seat safety and have always done the safest way instead of just what was required by law.

I used to have the car seat called Alpha Omega (if I remember correctly) and we never had any issue, the way the buckle is released, she could never do it on her own, even though he knew how, she couldn't actually slide it down hard enough to release the buckles. Problem was that it only held up to 40lbs. A few years ago, when my daughter weighed 38lbs I was worried about that and that I didn't see how we could remove her from a 5 pt. harness anytime soon so we invested in a Britax seat that hold up to 80lbs, unfortunately the release button is Much MUCH easier to push and release.

 

a year ago when she went through this phase of getting out of her seat, I was ready to loose my mind. Seriously. Because it's fine to say 'just pull over and don't go till they get back in' and to teach them to stay buckled to stay safe etc. But my girl was an AVID Dora fan then, and she knew that phrase very well, but when she didn't want to go where we were going or didn't care, or maybe she didn't comprehend where we were going.... None of that mattered. She would fight me tooth and nail. During that time she not only gave me trouble, but the Bus driver too. We went through several contraptions the school had for keeping a child in their seat and NONE of them worked. Eventually they told me that she could not ride the bus anymore because they were too often having to turn the bus around and call me to come get her, or weren't even able to get her on the bus at all.

I literally had to quit my job because I was being called to leave early everyday in order to go pick her up.

And me picking her up did not help. The trip from her school to our home was 10 miles, I would stop several times to put her back in, but that was a challenge its self, she would hit, pinch, scream, bite, scratch and even take my glasses off and throw them (now I'm SERIOUSLY blind without them, so NOT good)

 

I did not go anywhere with her by myself that I did not HAVE to go. If we went as a family somewhere then one of us would have to sit next to her and keep her from touching the button. But when I was alone, on the way home from school for example, it was a constant battle. I tried many times to let her calm down and be willing to get back in.... One time I was on the side of the road for more than 2 hours! And she still wasn't willing to get in without a fight and till got back out less than one mile down the road... 10 mile drive here... and not a ton of places to be able to safely pull over either. So unfortunately I did at times have to drive without her in her seat. I HATED it, but I didn't have anyone that could come help me and I had another child at home that I had to get home to. And not every trip can be given the luxury of waiting till the child is willing to stay in and 'gets' that they need to stay safe.

 

So while I totally agree that the safety part needs to be taught, a person or family does not have the luxury of waiting until this is learned and accepted as something we don't do.

 

We looked high and low for something that you can snap around the carseat buckle to prevent the child from pushing the button, but keep in mind that safety still needs to come first, and if you lock it with an actual lock, what will happen in the case of an actual accident? Will you be able to open it to remove the child? even if you have a key on your key ring, what if you're not concious and it's EMS workers trying to remove the child? They are not going to be able to easily and the time it could take them to find a way to get the box off, could be damaging.

 

When I was having my problems someone suggested a piece of fabric, maybe with their favorite tv character on it, with velcro that can wrap around the button to cover it. It may not stop the behavior completely, especially not a first when it's a new novel thing there... but the sound of the velcro being pulled apart can at least give you a warning before the buckles are actully released. I know my child could be at the back of the van by the time I heard the click of the buckle coming undone.

Then distractions, distractions distractions... that's all that worked for my daughter in the end. I won't say she never bothers it anymore, cause she does at times, but it's not constant and not ever single time we go somewhere anymore.

But we got her some things to do in the car, not that she didn't have stuff before, but they weren't things that distracted her enough from her desire to be out of the seat.

 

We got her the Fisher Price Kid Tough DVD player (and hubby sewed a strap on it so that it could be buckled behind her and sat on her lap, so she couldn't throw it, cause even though it's 'kid tough' I'm not sure it's 'Autism Tough' LOL)  We also let her use a Nintendo DS, she loves the Nintendogs game and can get really involved in playing with the dogs on there. Also simple crayons and coloring books and even one of those bead maze toys. We also almost never listen to the radio anymore when she is in the car, we listen to a kids CD that has a few songs she loves. They have hand motions to the songs too (5 monkeys jumping on the bed, If your happy and you know it, etc.) so that keeps her engaged with that. And gives me something to take away if she does try to release the buckles.

 

Some of these may work for you, but you may have to find a toy or activity that your child really loves, that can be brought into the car, but finding something else that they can focus on is key.

 

Even though we've not had the major issue for sometime, we still have to give her something to do while in her carseat, even for a short trip, otherwise she gets bored quickly and will start playing with the straps and buckles again.

 

I'm sorry this is such a book, but having gone through this fairly recently myself, I felt I wanted to share everything we did to get through the worst of it. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

 

Theresa

[Guest guest]

The new mom next store gave me these web sites to check for seatbelt latch

protectors or covers. Maybe they will be of use. www.mypreciouskid.com,

www.safetyed.org and www.mom4life.com

The items run about $10.

G

>

> boy do I agree with the fact that one SHOULD be available. But I'll tell ya

> that at least back about a year ago when I was desperatly trying to find

> something for this exact reason, there wasn't.

>

> And I will also say that some of the other products mentioned have to be

> looked at very closely as they won't work on all carseats or seat belts.

>

> My daughter is 6 1/2 and by FL state law she is allowed to sit in a regular

> seatbelt (since she turned 4), however between the ASD and her ADHD, she

> really does not sit safely in a seat belt and she is small for her age, so

> the seat belts don't fit her appropriately. I'm a HUGE car seat safety

> advocate and have taken multiple classes on car seat safety and have always

> done the safest way instead of just what was required by law.

>

> I used to have the car seat called Alpha Omega (if I remember correctly) and

> we never had any issue, the way the buckle is released, she could never do

> it on her own, even though he knew how, she couldn't actually slide it down

> hard enough to release the buckles. Problem was that it only held up to

> 40lbs. A few years ago, when my daughter weighed 38lbs I was worried about

> that and that I didn't see how we could remove her from a 5 pt. harness

> anytime soon so we invested in a Britax seat that hold up to 80lbs,

> unfortunately the release button is Much MUCH easier to push and release.

>

> a year ago when she went through this phase of getting out of her seat, I

> was ready to loose my mind. Seriously. Because it's fine to say 'just pull

> over and don't go till they get back in' and to teach them to stay buckled

> to stay safe etc. But my girl was an AVID Dora fan then, and she knew that

> phrase very well, but when she didn't want to go where we were going or

> didn't care, or maybe she didn't comprehend where we were going.... None of

> that mattered. She would fight me tooth and nail. During that time she not

> only gave me trouble, but the Bus driver too. We went through several

> contraptions the school had for keeping a child in their seat and NONE of

> them worked. Eventually they told me that she could not ride the bus anymore

> because they were too often having to turn the bus around and call me to

> come get her, or weren't even able to get her on the bus at all.

> I literally had to quit my job because I was being called to leave early

> everyday in order to go pick her up.

> And me picking her up did not help. The trip from her school to our home was

> 10 miles, I would stop several times to put her back in, but that was a

> challenge its self, she would hit, pinch, scream, bite, scratch and even

> take my glasses off and throw them (now I'm SERIOUSLY blind without them, so

> NOT good)

>

> I did not go anywhere with her by myself that I did not HAVE to go. If we

> went as a family somewhere then one of us would have to sit next to her and

> keep her from touching the button. But when I was alone, on the way home

> from school for example, it was a constant battle. I tried many times to let

> her calm down and be willing to get back in.... One time I was on the side

> of the road for more than 2 hours! And she still wasn't willing to get in

> without a fight and till got back out less than one mile down the road... 10

> mile drive here... and not a ton of places to be able to safely pull over

> either. So unfortunately I did at times have to drive without her in her

> seat. I HATED it, but I didn't have anyone that could come help me and I had

> another child at home that I had to get home to. And not every trip can be

> given the luxury of waiting till the child is willing to stay in and 'gets'

> that they need to stay safe.

>

> So while I totally agree that the safety part needs to be taught, a person

> or family does not have the luxury of waiting until this is learned and

> accepted as something we don't do.

>

> We looked high and low for something that you can snap around the carseat

> buckle to prevent the child from pushing the button, but keep in mind that

> safety still needs to come first, and if you lock it with an actual lock,

> what will happen in the case of an actual accident? Will you be able to open

> it to remove the child? even if you have a key on your key ring, what if

> you're not concious and it's EMS workers trying to remove the child? They

> are not going to be able to easily and the time it could take them to find a

> way to get the box off, could be damaging.

>

> When I was having my problems someone suggested a piece of fabric, maybe

> with their favorite tv character on it, with velcro that can wrap around the

> button to cover it. It may not stop the behavior completely, especially not

> a first when it's a new novel thing there... but the sound of the velcro

> being pulled apart can at least give you a warning before the buckles are

> actully released. I know my child could be at the back of the van by the

> time I heard the click of the buckle coming undone.

> Then distractions, distractions distractions... that's all that worked for

> my daughter in the end. I won't say she never bothers it anymore, cause she

> does at times, but it's not constant and not ever single time we go

> somewhere anymore.

>

> But we got her some things to do in the car, not that she didn't have stuff

> before, but they weren't things that distracted her enough from her desire

> to be out of the seat.

>

> We got her the Fisher Price Kid Tough DVD player (and hubby sewed a strap on

> it so that it could be buckled behind her and sat on her lap, so she

> couldn't throw it, cause even though it's 'kid tough' I'm not sure it's

> 'Autism Tough' LOL) We also let her use a Nintendo DS, she loves the

> Nintendogs game and can get really involved in playing with the dogs on

> there. Also simple crayons and coloring books and even one of those bead

> maze toys. We also almost never listen to the radio anymore when she is in

> the car, we listen to a kids CD that has a few songs she loves. They have

> hand motions to the songs too (5 monkeys jumping on the bed, If your happy

> and you know it, etc.) so that keeps her engaged with that. And gives me

> something to take away if she does try to release the buckles.

>

> Some of these may work for you, but you may have to find a toy or activity

> that your child really loves, that can be brought into the car, but finding

> something else that they can focus on is key.

>

> Even though we've not had the major issue for sometime, we still have to

> give her something to do while in her carseat, even for a short trip,

> otherwise she gets bored quickly and will start playing with the straps and

> buckles again.

>

> I'm sorry this is such a book, but having gone through this fairly recently

> myself, I felt I wanted to share everything we did to get through the worst

> of it. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

>

> Theresa

>

[Guest guest]

The new mom next store gave me these web sites to check for seatbelt latch

protectors or covers. Maybe they will be of use. www.mypreciouskid.com,

www.safetyed.org and www.mom4life.com

The items run about $10.

G

>

> boy do I agree with the fact that one SHOULD be available. But I'll tell ya

> that at least back about a year ago when I was desperatly trying to find

> something for this exact reason, there wasn't.

>

> And I will also say that some of the other products mentioned have to be

> looked at very closely as they won't work on all carseats or seat belts.

>

> My daughter is 6 1/2 and by FL state law she is allowed to sit in a regular

> seatbelt (since she turned 4), however between the ASD and her ADHD, she

> really does not sit safely in a seat belt and she is small for her age, so

> the seat belts don't fit her appropriately. I'm a HUGE car seat safety

> advocate and have taken multiple classes on car seat safety and have always

> done the safest way instead of just what was required by law.

>

> I used to have the car seat called Alpha Omega (if I remember correctly) and

> we never had any issue, the way the buckle is released, she could never do

> it on her own, even though he knew how, she couldn't actually slide it down

> hard enough to release the buckles. Problem was that it only held up to

> 40lbs. A few years ago, when my daughter weighed 38lbs I was worried about

> that and that I didn't see how we could remove her from a 5 pt. harness

> anytime soon so we invested in a Britax seat that hold up to 80lbs,

> unfortunately the release button is Much MUCH easier to push and release.

>

> a year ago when she went through this phase of getting out of her seat, I

> was ready to loose my mind. Seriously. Because it's fine to say 'just pull

> over and don't go till they get back in' and to teach them to stay buckled

> to stay safe etc. But my girl was an AVID Dora fan then, and she knew that

> phrase very well, but when she didn't want to go where we were going or

> didn't care, or maybe she didn't comprehend where we were going.... None of

> that mattered. She would fight me tooth and nail. During that time she not

> only gave me trouble, but the Bus driver too. We went through several

> contraptions the school had for keeping a child in their seat and NONE of

> them worked. Eventually they told me that she could not ride the bus anymore

> because they were too often having to turn the bus around and call me to

> come get her, or weren't even able to get her on the bus at all.

> I literally had to quit my job because I was being called to leave early

> everyday in order to go pick her up.

> And me picking her up did not help. The trip from her school to our home was

> 10 miles, I would stop several times to put her back in, but that was a

> challenge its self, she would hit, pinch, scream, bite, scratch and even

> take my glasses off and throw them (now I'm SERIOUSLY blind without them, so

> NOT good)

>

> I did not go anywhere with her by myself that I did not HAVE to go. If we

> went as a family somewhere then one of us would have to sit next to her and

> keep her from touching the button. But when I was alone, on the way home

> from school for example, it was a constant battle. I tried many times to let

> her calm down and be willing to get back in.... One time I was on the side

> of the road for more than 2 hours! And she still wasn't willing to get in

> without a fight and till got back out less than one mile down the road... 10

> mile drive here... and not a ton of places to be able to safely pull over

> either. So unfortunately I did at times have to drive without her in her

> seat. I HATED it, but I didn't have anyone that could come help me and I had

> another child at home that I had to get home to. And not every trip can be

> given the luxury of waiting till the child is willing to stay in and 'gets'

> that they need to stay safe.

>

> So while I totally agree that the safety part needs to be taught, a person

> or family does not have the luxury of waiting until this is learned and

> accepted as something we don't do.

>

> We looked high and low for something that you can snap around the carseat

> buckle to prevent the child from pushing the button, but keep in mind that

> safety still needs to come first, and if you lock it with an actual lock,

> what will happen in the case of an actual accident? Will you be able to open

> it to remove the child? even if you have a key on your key ring, what if

> you're not concious and it's EMS workers trying to remove the child? They

> are not going to be able to easily and the time it could take them to find a

> way to get the box off, could be damaging.

>

> When I was having my problems someone suggested a piece of fabric, maybe

> with their favorite tv character on it, with velcro that can wrap around the

> button to cover it. It may not stop the behavior completely, especially not

> a first when it's a new novel thing there... but the sound of the velcro

> being pulled apart can at least give you a warning before the buckles are

> actully released. I know my child could be at the back of the van by the

> time I heard the click of the buckle coming undone.

> Then distractions, distractions distractions... that's all that worked for

> my daughter in the end. I won't say she never bothers it anymore, cause she

> does at times, but it's not constant and not ever single time we go

> somewhere anymore.

>

> But we got her some things to do in the car, not that she didn't have stuff

> before, but they weren't things that distracted her enough from her desire

> to be out of the seat.

>

> We got her the Fisher Price Kid Tough DVD player (and hubby sewed a strap on

> it so that it could be buckled behind her and sat on her lap, so she

> couldn't throw it, cause even though it's 'kid tough' I'm not sure it's

> 'Autism Tough' LOL) We also let her use a Nintendo DS, she loves the

> Nintendogs game and can get really involved in playing with the dogs on

> there. Also simple crayons and coloring books and even one of those bead

> maze toys. We also almost never listen to the radio anymore when she is in

> the car, we listen to a kids CD that has a few songs she loves. They have

> hand motions to the songs too (5 monkeys jumping on the bed, If your happy

> and you know it, etc.) so that keeps her engaged with that. And gives me

> something to take away if she does try to release the buckles.

>

> Some of these may work for you, but you may have to find a toy or activity

> that your child really loves, that can be brought into the car, but finding

> something else that they can focus on is key.

>

> Even though we've not had the major issue for sometime, we still have to

> give her something to do while in her carseat, even for a short trip,

> otherwise she gets bored quickly and will start playing with the straps and

> buckles again.

>

> I'm sorry this is such a book, but having gone through this fairly recently

> myself, I felt I wanted to share everything we did to get through the worst

> of it. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

>

> Theresa

>

[Guest guest]

The new mom next store gave me these web sites to check for seatbelt latch

protectors or covers. Maybe they will be of use. www.mypreciouskid.com,

www.safetyed.org and www.mom4life.com

The items run about $10.

G

>

> boy do I agree with the fact that one SHOULD be available. But I'll tell ya

> that at least back about a year ago when I was desperatly trying to find

> something for this exact reason, there wasn't.

>

> And I will also say that some of the other products mentioned have to be

> looked at very closely as they won't work on all carseats or seat belts.

>

> My daughter is 6 1/2 and by FL state law she is allowed to sit in a regular

> seatbelt (since she turned 4), however between the ASD and her ADHD, she

> really does not sit safely in a seat belt and she is small for her age, so

> the seat belts don't fit her appropriately. I'm a HUGE car seat safety

> advocate and have taken multiple classes on car seat safety and have always

> done the safest way instead of just what was required by law.

>

> I used to have the car seat called Alpha Omega (if I remember correctly) and

> we never had any issue, the way the buckle is released, she could never do

> it on her own, even though he knew how, she couldn't actually slide it down

> hard enough to release the buckles. Problem was that it only held up to

> 40lbs. A few years ago, when my daughter weighed 38lbs I was worried about

> that and that I didn't see how we could remove her from a 5 pt. harness

> anytime soon so we invested in a Britax seat that hold up to 80lbs,

> unfortunately the release button is Much MUCH easier to push and release.

>

> a year ago when she went through this phase of getting out of her seat, I

> was ready to loose my mind. Seriously. Because it's fine to say 'just pull

> over and don't go till they get back in' and to teach them to stay buckled

> to stay safe etc. But my girl was an AVID Dora fan then, and she knew that

> phrase very well, but when she didn't want to go where we were going or

> didn't care, or maybe she didn't comprehend where we were going.... None of

> that mattered. She would fight me tooth and nail. During that time she not

> only gave me trouble, but the Bus driver too. We went through several

> contraptions the school had for keeping a child in their seat and NONE of

> them worked. Eventually they told me that she could not ride the bus anymore

> because they were too often having to turn the bus around and call me to

> come get her, or weren't even able to get her on the bus at all.

> I literally had to quit my job because I was being called to leave early

> everyday in order to go pick her up.

> And me picking her up did not help. The trip from her school to our home was

> 10 miles, I would stop several times to put her back in, but that was a

> challenge its self, she would hit, pinch, scream, bite, scratch and even

> take my glasses off and throw them (now I'm SERIOUSLY blind without them, so

> NOT good)

>

> I did not go anywhere with her by myself that I did not HAVE to go. If we

> went as a family somewhere then one of us would have to sit next to her and

> keep her from touching the button. But when I was alone, on the way home

> from school for example, it was a constant battle. I tried many times to let

> her calm down and be willing to get back in.... One time I was on the side

> of the road for more than 2 hours! And she still wasn't willing to get in

> without a fight and till got back out less than one mile down the road... 10

> mile drive here... and not a ton of places to be able to safely pull over

> either. So unfortunately I did at times have to drive without her in her

> seat. I HATED it, but I didn't have anyone that could come help me and I had

> another child at home that I had to get home to. And not every trip can be

> given the luxury of waiting till the child is willing to stay in and 'gets'

> that they need to stay safe.

>

> So while I totally agree that the safety part needs to be taught, a person

> or family does not have the luxury of waiting until this is learned and

> accepted as something we don't do.

>

> We looked high and low for something that you can snap around the carseat

> buckle to prevent the child from pushing the button, but keep in mind that

> safety still needs to come first, and if you lock it with an actual lock,

> what will happen in the case of an actual accident? Will you be able to open

> it to remove the child? even if you have a key on your key ring, what if

> you're not concious and it's EMS workers trying to remove the child? They

> are not going to be able to easily and the time it could take them to find a

> way to get the box off, could be damaging.

>

> When I was having my problems someone suggested a piece of fabric, maybe

> with their favorite tv character on it, with velcro that can wrap around the

> button to cover it. It may not stop the behavior completely, especially not

> a first when it's a new novel thing there... but the sound of the velcro

> being pulled apart can at least give you a warning before the buckles are

> actully released. I know my child could be at the back of the van by the

> time I heard the click of the buckle coming undone.

> Then distractions, distractions distractions... that's all that worked for

> my daughter in the end. I won't say she never bothers it anymore, cause she

> does at times, but it's not constant and not ever single time we go

> somewhere anymore.

>

> But we got her some things to do in the car, not that she didn't have stuff

> before, but they weren't things that distracted her enough from her desire

> to be out of the seat.

>

> We got her the Fisher Price Kid Tough DVD player (and hubby sewed a strap on

> it so that it could be buckled behind her and sat on her lap, so she

> couldn't throw it, cause even though it's 'kid tough' I'm not sure it's

> 'Autism Tough' LOL) We also let her use a Nintendo DS, she loves the

> Nintendogs game and can get really involved in playing with the dogs on

> there. Also simple crayons and coloring books and even one of those bead

> maze toys. We also almost never listen to the radio anymore when she is in

> the car, we listen to a kids CD that has a few songs she loves. They have

> hand motions to the songs too (5 monkeys jumping on the bed, If your happy

> and you know it, etc.) so that keeps her engaged with that. And gives me

> something to take away if she does try to release the buckles.

>

> Some of these may work for you, but you may have to find a toy or activity

> that your child really loves, that can be brought into the car, but finding

> something else that they can focus on is key.

>

> Even though we've not had the major issue for sometime, we still have to

> give her something to do while in her carseat, even for a short trip,

> otherwise she gets bored quickly and will start playing with the straps and

> buckles again.

>

> I'm sorry this is such a book, but having gone through this fairly recently

> myself, I felt I wanted to share everything we did to get through the worst

> of it. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

>

> Theresa

>

[Guest guest]

Behavioral interventions are not an instant cure, they take time. I had to teach it just like others did, though, I was very fortunate that my son responded so well. Some areas of his learning took significantly longer than others and were challenging for me but I also know it's my job as his parent to teach to the best of my ability and I will use many discrete trials to teach a concept, especially involving safety, no matter how long it takes. I'm sorry it's been such a challenge for your daughter.

Another thought is to have their favorite piece of candy or a similar treat and use a First/Then strategy when going places unfamiliar or not preferred or even preferred. A visual timer for how long it may take to get there (set timer for slightly longer amount of time, in case of traffic, etc.), so they see an end in sight.

All of those distractors are great ideas too.

From: Theresa

Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 9:47 AM

To: sList

Subject: Re: Car Seat for Autistic Children?

boy do I agree with the fact that one SHOULD be available. But I'll tell ya that at least back about a year ago when I was desperatly trying to find something for this exact reason, there wasn't.

And I will also say that some of the other products mentioned have to be looked at very closely as they won't work on all carseats or seat belts.

My daughter is 6 1/2 and by FL state law she is allowed to sit in a regular seatbelt (since she turned 4), however between the ASD and her ADHD, she really does not sit safely in a seat belt and she is small for her age, so the seat belts don't fit her appropriately. I'm a HUGE car seat safety advocate and have taken multiple classes on car seat safety and have always done the safest way instead of just what was required by law.

I used to have the car seat called Alpha Omega (if I remember correctly) and we never had any issue, the way the buckle is released, she could never do it on her own, even though he knew how, she couldn't actually slide it down hard enough to release the buckles. Problem was that it only held up to 40lbs. A few years ago, when my daughter weighed 38lbs I was worried about that and that I didn't see how we could remove her from a 5 pt. harness anytime soon so we invested in a Britax seat that hold up to 80lbs, unfortunately the release button is Much MUCH easier to push and release.

a year ago when she went through this phase of getting out of her seat, I was ready to loose my mind. Seriously. Because it's fine to say 'just pull over and don't go till they get back in' and to teach them to stay buckled to stay safe etc. But my girl was an AVID Dora fan then, and she knew that phrase very well, but when she didn't want to go where we were going or didn't care, or maybe she didn't comprehend where we were going.... None of that mattered. She would fight me tooth and nail. During that time she not only gave me trouble, but the Bus driver too. We went through several contraptions the school had for keeping a child in their seat and NONE of them worked. Eventually they told me that she could not ride the bus anymore because they were too often having to turn the bus around and call me to come get her, or weren't even able to get her on the bus at all.

I literally had to quit my job because I was being called to leave early everyday in order to go pick her up.

And me picking her up did not help. The trip from her school to our home was 10 miles, I would stop several times to put her back in, but that was a challenge its self, she would hit, pinch, scream, bite, scratch and even take my glasses off and throw them (now I'm SERIOUSLY blind without them, so NOT good)

I did not go anywhere with her by myself that I did not HAVE to go. If we went as a family somewhere then one of us would have to sit next to her and keep her from touching the button. But when I was alone, on the way home from school for example, it was a constant battle. I tried many times to let her calm down and be willing to get back in.... One time I was on the side of the road for more than 2 hours! And she still wasn't willing to get in without a fight and till got back out less than one mile down the road... 10 mile drive here... and not a ton of places to be able to safely pull over either. So unfortunately I did at times have to drive without her in her seat. I HATED it, but I didn't have anyone that could come help me and I had another child at home that I had to get home to. And not every trip can be given the luxury of waiting till the child is willing to stay in and 'gets' that they need to stay safe.

So while I totally agree that the safety part needs to be taught, a person or family does not have the luxury of waiting until this is learned and accepted as something we don't do.

We looked high and low for something that you can snap around the carseat buckle to prevent the child from pushing the button, but keep in mind that safety still needs to come first, and if you lock it with an actual lock, what will happen in the case of an actual accident? Will you be able to open it to remove the child? even if you have a key on your key ring, what if you're not concious and it's EMS workers trying to remove the child? They are not going to be able to easily and the time it could take them to find a way to get the box off, could be damaging.

When I was having my problems someone suggested a piece of fabric, maybe with their favorite tv character on it, with velcro that can wrap around the button to cover it. It may not stop the behavior completely, especially not a first when it's a new novel thing there... but the sound of the velcro being pulled apart can at least give you a warning before the buckles are actully released. I know my child could be at the back of the van by the time I heard the click of the buckle coming undone.

Then distractions, distractions distractions... that's all that worked for my daughter in the end. I won't say she never bothers it anymore, cause she does at times, but it's not constant and not ever single time we go somewhere anymore.

But we got her some things to do in the car, not that she didn't have stuff before, but they weren't things that distracted her enough from her desire to be out of the seat.

We got her the Fisher Price Kid Tough DVD player (and hubby sewed a strap on it so that it could be buckled behind her and sat on her lap, so she couldn't throw it, cause even though it's 'kid tough' I'm not sure it's 'Autism Tough' LOL) We also let her use a Nintendo DS, she loves the Nintendogs game and can get really involved in playing with the dogs on there. Also simple crayons and coloring books and even one of those bead maze toys. We also almost never listen to the radio anymore when she is in the car, we listen to a kids CD that has a few songs she loves. They have hand motions to the songs too (5 monkeys jumping on the bed, If your happy and you know it, etc.) so that keeps her engaged with that. And gives me something to take away if she does try to release the buckles.

Some of these may work for you, but you may have to find a toy or activity that your child really loves, that can be brought into the car, but finding something else that they can focus on is key.

Even though we've not had the major issue for sometime, we still have to give her something to do while in her carseat, even for a short trip, otherwise she gets bored quickly and will start playing with the straps and buckles again.

I'm sorry this is such a book, but having gone through this fairly recently myself, I felt I wanted to share everything we did to get through the worst of it. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

Theresa

[Guest guest]

carabeeners work wonders!

I bought something called buckle guard: Here's the link:www.especialneeds.com--- On Wed, 2/3/10, hidden_garnet <hidden_garnet> wrote:From: hidden_garnet <hidden_garnet>Subject: Re: Car Seat for Autistic Children?To: sList Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 3:34 PM

Years ago when my kids were young, there was a cover that velcroed over the button that kept kids from un-hooking the seatbelt. for what it is worth, my husband suggests trying to find a little box of somekind that you could lock around the latch/button with a suitcase lock or little lock.

G.

>

> >

> >

> > Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic

> > child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need

> > to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input!

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

> Lydia Glider-

> Broward County Special Needs Parents Examiner

> www.examiner. com

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> WE CAN DO THIS

> http://www.nopom. info

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:

> www.iamautism. org

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then

> you win."

> ~~Mahatma Gandhi

>

[Guest guest]

carabeeners work wonders!

I bought something called buckle guard: Here's the link:www.especialneeds.com--- On Wed, 2/3/10, hidden_garnet <hidden_garnet> wrote:From: hidden_garnet <hidden_garnet>Subject: Re: Car Seat for Autistic Children?To: sList Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 3:34 PM

Years ago when my kids were young, there was a cover that velcroed over the button that kept kids from un-hooking the seatbelt. for what it is worth, my husband suggests trying to find a little box of somekind that you could lock around the latch/button with a suitcase lock or little lock.

G.

>

> >

> >

> > Question for any one who has an answer. Needing are car seat for autistic

> > child who has figured out how to unlock every car seat and seat belt. Need

> > to keep child seated while driving. Thank you for your input!

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

> Lydia Glider-

> Broward County Special Needs Parents Examiner

> www.examiner. com

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> WE CAN DO THIS

> http://www.nopom. info

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> Hear the REAL Voices of Autism:

> www.iamautism. org

> <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then

> you win."

> ~~Mahatma Gandhi

>