BIG Problems while riding - Autism Spectrum Message Board

here4Jace · 01-10-2007, 07:48 PM

Do any of you have problems with your little ones while rididng in the car? Just recently Jace has been wanting to ride in the front seat. I wasn't sure if this would be a problem. He is plenty big enough, so that wasn't a safety issue. He began climbing in the front seat and i allowed it(big mistake!)

He constantly reaches for the steering wheel, gear shift, and emergency break. I pull over on the side of the road and set, until i think he will stop. Nothing is working. I am looking for a seat belt lock of some sort that he can't get out of, to contain him in the back of the car. If any of you have any experience with these or advice about them, i would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks

melanie1974 · 01-11-2007, 06:11 AM

I would suggest that you bite the bullet and put your child in the back. My son does become hysterical if he doesnt get his own way, however he follows the rules after a few days. It really is difficult for them to adjust so you must be certain when you make changes that the actions are something which you are willing to continue with. I had the same problem when we went from a 5 point harness to a normal belt, and the only thing that worked was me stopping every five minutes and putting him back in his seat. The suggestion from our doctor was do exactly as you would be your normal autisitc child and it seems to have worked for us.

iyami · 01-11-2007, 08:00 PM

i ride in the front seat all the time because i have low blood pressure and get carsick if i dont.

i used to reach for things until i knew what they did and why i shouldnt do it, i remember i opened my door once while we going at like 60, and my dad just about had a heart attack, i was only 3, so i "didnt know what that shiney grey stick did" and wanted to find out.

but sense i am an aspie, when he explained What all the stuff did and Why i shouldnt touch it, i got it, because i really just wanted to know the rules.

did you try explaining it all in detail?

but then everyones different so that might only have worked for me.
i agree if you cant get him to settle down in the front, you may have to just keep him in the back seat, assumeing he does not get sick like me.

here4Jace · 01-12-2007, 06:15 AM

Thanks for the responses

I am curious about seat belt locks, if anyone has had experience with them. Jace has no fear of danger and he doesn't understand the consequences of grabbing the wheel or pulling the emergency brake. I am trying to keep him contained in the back seat, at all times. The problem is, he is very big and strong. When he jumps on the front, I pull over to the side of the road. My goal is to prevent him from the ability to get into the front seat. My boy loves to get into trouble, he craves the "bad attention" I am sure he is doing this, not only out of curiosity, but also for my reaction. In a normal situation I would ignore this type of behavior and eventually he would stop. He has out-smarted me, by finding a new behavior that is so dangerous, it can't be ignored, only prevented.

soozeq · 01-12-2007, 09:23 AM

HI

I saw an ad for something called the 'buckle boss'. This is what it said:

The Buckle Boss is a seat belt lock designed to prevent children with emotional and cognitive disabilities from releasing the seat belt while the car is in motion. Designed specifically to work with seat belts with an upright configuration and a red push-button release, this slotted cover fits over the button and belt receiver slot. The seat belt is inserted into the side slot of the Buckle Boss over the seat belt receptacle and locked in as it normally would be. The Buclke Boss prevents the release button from being pressed. To unlock the seatbelt, insert the end of another belt, a key, a nail file, or a similar item in the center slot and depress the red release button.

If you google 'buckle boss', you should find it easly. The cost is 12.00.

Good Luck

Suzy