toddler backpack "leash" for autistic 4 year old? About This Page:

[Carousel96]

We used a harness with DD in some places. You do what works. There will be plenty of families with them at WDW -- so the people who disapprove can give dirty looks to all of you, and you'll find plenty of understanding folks too.

My favorite solution to the dirty look problem was my sister-in-law. She had a tee shirt made for my niece that said "Too precious to lose" and had E wear it whenever they went somewhere harnessed.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

I am reminded of something that happen to me at LMA at The Studios. I went up the elevator on my scooter to the seating area and parked my scooter where I was told to then went to the seating area where my family was waiting, the disabled seating section where they seated us. After we were seated a woman behind us started making remarks as to who did we think we were sitting there in the disabled seats. My sister turned around right in the woman's face and said "My sister is disabled and the cast member seated us here, her scooter is parked behind you " with that the woman apologies and never made a peep the rest of the show.
My point? If someone has the nerve to say anything negative you can borrow my sister to put them in their place, or tell them you love your child so much that their safety is more import to you than remarks from people that don't know any better.

[lauriep]

Grrrrr. I'm always amazed that even at a place like WDW, where we're all just trying to enjoy ourselves, people go out of their way to make life unpleasant for someone else. I really think that people who spout things like that without thinking just have a permanently bad attitude towards the world. I hope your sister really did get through to her so that she thinks before she speaks next time.

[Pretty Kitty]

This thread has reminded me of what Thumper was told by his mother, "If you can't say something nice don't say ANYTHING at all. " I have learned over the years that not everything is as it seems and until you know the full story, be careful how you judge. When my oldest son(now 21) was a baby and not walking yet, a relative complained I didn't watch him close enough. One day this same person was visiting our house and I ask her to watch my son(he was sitting at her feet) while I checked on the meal I was fixing. Needless to say, a few seconds later I heard a loud gasp and came running to see. My son had pulled himself up 12 steps and was sitting there laughing. He had been so quiet she didn't hear him until he laughed. I never heard another word about how I wasn't watching him enough.

[jenifermg0]

My mom often used a harness/tether on me when I was a child (more years ago than I care to remember). I have heard stories and have vague memories of being tied to a tree when we were fishing at the lake or river. I had lots of room to play, could get close enough to the river/lake to throw rocks in and was close enough to Mom and Dad that I was happy. AND SAFE!!!! I couldn't fall in the river or wander off into the woods. And I was in no way special needs. Just your normal inquisitive toddler!

My DS ended up with a leash the very day he wandered off in Walmart! We were walking along, he was holding on to the cart. I turned away for literally 5 seconds to glance at a piece of clothing. Turned back and he was GONE!!!!! I immediately found a clerk and just as the Code Adam was going out over the PA system, found him talking to a lady on a scooter....well, he was talking, but she had no clue what he was saying. From the looks of his gestures, he was trying to tell her that his granny used a scooter too and that his daddy worked in the Optical shop and that was where he was headed. He and I immediately went and picked out a brightly colored collar that fit him like a belt and a matching leash and put it on him. He used it off and on (at places like the State Fair and during Christmas shopping) this he was about 4 or so years old. At that point he had figured out to stay close to mom. We took it with us to Disneyland (he was five) but never needed it. Oh, and he isn't special needs either (except for his newly diagnosed diabetes).

If you feel better using the tether/leash....go for it! Better your child is safe and you are relaxed and happy on your vacation!!!!!

My mom tells a story about me and the tree and some lady lamenting the fact I was "tied up like a dog"....My mom looked at her and asked very gently...."Would you rather she fall in the river if I happen to look away for half a second?"

[notjustamom]

One of my pet peeves as the mother of an autistic son is the looks that people give you when they don't understand your situation.

As the saying goes, when you meet one person with autism--you've met one person with autism.

too!!

Do what you're comfortable with and pay no attention to the looky-loo's, eye rollers, huffer-puffers, grumblers, etc. Those types of people would have something to say regardless of the situation.

[jenifermg0]

Just a thought....I don't have lot of experience with autistic children, but maybe you should try out the tether at home so that your little one doesn't have meltdown because of a new thing while on vacation.