Buggy to wheelchair?

Aeo

Hi all

My son turns 7 next month. He is currently in a major McLaren elite, but he is tall for his age (his dad is 6ft 5) and he's beginning to outgrow it. He is capable of walking, but his buggy is his "safe space" He is a runner and we had a few close calls in the past where he ran into the road when not in his buggy. He is so much of a risk that we were awarded a blue badge to help transition him in a safer space from the car to his buggy. When given the opportunity to leave his buggy, he will for a short time, but likes to come back to it, strap himself in and pull his coat hood down over his head.

My question is...do we look at getting him a wheelchair or try and "wean" him away from needing his buggy?

He can talk a little, but has limited understanding. He is still in nappies and can become quite physical at times if something deregulates him.

I guess, I just don't want him to become overly reliant on a buggy/wheelchair, but maybe I am overthinking again....after all I am autistic too.

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @aeo

Welcome to the community! I hope you are keeping well?

I hope more members in the community can give their experience to help you. From someone looking at this with no experience of buggy's or wheelchairs, I would say it is something you could try? You can always rent a wheelchair to see how your son gets on.

If your son likes to get in the buggy and pull his hood down as a safe space. Would he then seek that out elsewhere? My friend has a daughter who is autistic and if thing's get overwhelming for her when they go shopping, she likes to find a clothing rack to sit under. She's even sat under the conveyer belt bit on the tills before. This has meant she's run off to find it and created a little panic.