Sensory defensive (?) 3yo on school bus help

4boysmom

New member

• Dec 3, 2012

• #1

So my little one (3yo) started special ed school this morning and I rode with him on the bus there and back. A few days ago I remembered that he often tries to catch himself (startles) when we put him in his rearfacing seat and that he has a hard time with stairs and such and that sitting on the bus might be an issue for him. So on the way to school he was able to use a huggy vest and I sat next to him. After a minute or two he was gripping my arm as he did not feel safe enough in the vest. On the way home he was on a bus that had the integrated 5 pt in it and I sat on the seat next to his seat in the other row. He felt much less safe in this seat with me not next to him for him to hold on to. Has anyone else dealt with this that could offer advice. I think people think I am being all mother hen boo-hooish about it but really I have no real issues with the process but rather him feeling sensorally safe riding. He's not fussing because he misses me or anything he literally as best I can tell is have that "falling dream"/someone coming up behind you and tipping your chair back sensation/panic. You can see in his eyes that he is bonafide scared of not having enough counterpressure

 

soph's mom

New member

• Dec 3, 2012

• #2

I am by no means an expert but has he had his ears checked. His equilibrium could be off from fluid possibly.... Otherwise is it feasible for you to drive him and just waits year or two for the bus?

 

4boysmom

New member

• Dec 3, 2012

• #3

Thanks for the reminder to check on his ears. I don't drive so him not taking the school bus makes it a bazillion times more complicated but I can figure something else out if need be in decent weather.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Dec 3, 2012

• #4

What about a weighted blanket to put over his lap/torso once he's buckled? That might provide the input he needs to feel secure.

 

V

VanIsleMommy

Guest

• Dec 3, 2012

• #5

So he still has the morro reflex ? startle reflex? I agree with the above, weighted blanket. Even a magic bag as a lap pad maybe. I would also look up retained primitive reflexes, it's a theory on brain development that is really interesting

 

4boysmom

New member

• Dec 3, 2012

• #6

I will see if I can get a weighted blanket. I rode with him today and my brother will take him in his car tomorrow and then I will ride with him again Wed. We will have to figure something out for Thursday as I am babysitting Tu/Th so that is what is keeping me from being able to ride with him then. I am sure the bus drivers will love me :eyeroll. Not that I particularly care what they think but gah. They already gave me the some times kids cry speech. I know my kid and it is not a "redirect" type situation.

 

lovinwaves

New member

• Dec 3, 2012

• #7

Poor little guy!! What about a tight OT vest? I don't know the official name but you could find one on a sensory website. My son used to wear one when he was receiving his equine therapy. Made a huge difference for him! Good luck and I hope you find something that makes him feel more secure

 Sent from my iPhone. Don't text and drive. 

 

lovinwaves

New member

• Dec 3, 2012

• #8

Another thing, is this a public school where he has an IEP? My son always had a rider the school designated for him sitting next to him. it was written up that way in his IEP

 Sent from my iPhone. Don't text and drive. 

 

jess71903

Ambassador

• Dec 3, 2012

• #9

I would try to get him some support under his feet. What he probably has is called gravitational insecurity. If you can "ground" his feet, he may feel more secure. Also, it would be good for you to do joint compressions before he gets on the bus, and get someone to do it before he comes home.

 

4boysmom

New member

• Dec 3, 2012

• #10

jess71903 said:

I would try to get him some support under his feet. What he probably has is called gravitational insecurity. If you can "ground" his feet, he may feel more secure. Also, it would be good for you to do joint compressions before he gets on the bus, and get someone to do it before he comes home.

Click to expand...

Do you have any suggestions for the foot support? I noticed on the way home in the stars that he actually sits with his legs straight out since the seats are deeper than his legs are long by quite a bit.

 

4boysmom

New member

• Dec 3, 2012

• #11

lovinwaves said:

Another thing, is this a public school where he has an IEP? My son always had a rider the school designated for him sitting next to him. it was written up that way in his IEP

 Sent from my iPhone. Don't text and drive. 

Click to expand...

I actually need to get it in his IEP. I don't know why it did not cross my mind. I guess because we aren't huge travelers and he was doing it at transfer into the seat but once settled he was "okay". Plus we are dealing with the whole new sensation from rear to forward facing (though I really thinking that is like 1% of the problem if that since he'd be fine on my lap or holding onto me)... it is annoying because thus far I am the only one who "sees" what is happening and I don't want to freak him out by just sending him on the bus in a "vulnerable position" just to prove a point and make him scared of the bus. He loves the bus, likes riding the city bus with me. etc. etc. he just doesn't feel safe being "so exposed". Hopefully my brother will be able to help out until we find out a workable solution; him taking him Tu/Th and me on Mon/Wed for the rest of the calender year. But yeah need to ask about that aide because part of the concept of him going to school was that I get at least an itty bitty bit of time to do what I need to do to take care of myself whom I have been neglecting for 11 years lol which isn't going to happen if I have to stay at the school the whole time or drop him off at 9 then take a city bus away from the school and then have to schedule to be back using city bus less than 3 hours later.

 

jess71903

Ambassador

• Dec 3, 2012

• #12

4boysmom said:

Do you have any suggestions for the foot support? I noticed on the way home in the stars that he actually sits with his legs straight out since the seats are deeper than his legs are long by quite a bit.

Click to expand...

Well, I think it will just depend on the space and his needs. He may be okay with something soft like a bean bag being stuff in there for him to rest his feet on. He may need something that feels more solid, like maybe a cardboard box or block of dense foam. I'm not familiar enough with how much space there is, how tall it would need to be, etc to say anything for sure will work.

 

MaKoski

New member

• Dec 4, 2012

• #13

You could take a stuffed animal that he likes, split the seam alittle and fill it with dried corn or beans or rice and resew it to make him a weighted friend to hold on to. I'd see if they can get a rider for him to sit with to hold on to.

 

F

flipper68

Senior Community Member

• Dec 5, 2012

• #14

4boysmom said:

But yeah need to ask about that aide because part of the concept of him going to school was that I get at least an itty bitty bit of time to do what I need to do to take care of myself whom I have been neglecting for 11 years lol which isn't going to happen if I have to stay at the school the whole time or drop him off at 9 then take a city bus away from the school and then have to schedule to be back using city bus less than 3 hours later.

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Is the school close to a gym, coffee shop, shopping center or library?

Since it sounds like DS is attending a 1/2 day program, I would talk with school staff. Explain your transportation situation, ask if you can use the Media Center for a couple of hours each day (internet access & bring your own reading material) in exchange for a couple of volunteer hours. There's always something that needs to be done at a school: read to kids, have kids read to you, practice flash cards, make copies, cut out materials, grade papers, shelve books, etc.