Seating a special needs child

SuperSafeMama

New member
My son is autistic and he loves to undo things! He has for the last 6 months been letting himself out of his seat. I have tried different seats and he can undo them all.

He is in NO way ready for a belt booster, but I cant keep him in his seat. Of course I always stop the car buckle him in, but stopping 10 times in a 20 mintue trip is just getting way old.

Any ideas?
 
ADS

TerisBoys

Well-known member
Is he actually undoing the buckle and chest clip, or just moving them and slipping out?

Have you tried a lightweight shirt backwards over his harness?
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Does he have any sensory aversions? If so you can try putting the scratchy side of the velcro on the button of the crotch buckle. If he doesn't do buttons, a button up shirt that is buttoned over the harness once the harness is tight may work.

If he's moving it down and slipping his arms out, you may want to try removing the chest clip if you can get the harness tighter without it and the straps are well-positioned on his shoulders without it. It's a parental decision to do so as it's against manufacturer's instructions, but you may decide that having him tightly in (if he can't undo the crotch buckle) is more important than following the manufacturer's instructions to use the chest clip if it functions well without it. A chest clip is simply a pre-crash positioner for the straps, so if the straps are positioned well on his shoulders even without it, and other solutions don't work, that may be the easiest way to keep him safe.

If none of that works, and he can undo both the chest and crotch buckles, you may want to contact a technician near you and/or EZ-On and start looking into a floor-mount vest.
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,656
Messages
2,196,896
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top