High Back vs. Backless Booster for 5 year old with Autism/low tone

MoxieandPixie · Aug 26, 2013

Looking for info. for my best friend. Her daughter just turned 5 (less than a month ago) and just hit 40lbs. She is on the taller side, has Autism (high functioning), and mild low muscle tone (gets OT and PT since 2 years old). Her daughter wants to be in a backless booster (and she may fit). She still fits all the requirements to be in her Graco Nautilus. My friend is thinking of moving her to it. Any articles on high back (with 5 pt. harness or seatbelt) and backless booster for children with low muscle tone?

ketchupqueen · Aug 26, 2013

Welcome!

I don't know of any articles, but the point of a booster is to position the belt properly. It's unusual for a 5 year old to sit properly 100% of the time in a backless booster WITHOUT any neurological or physical conditions causing difficulty.

In general, I prefer to see neurotypical children without any physical challenges harnessed until 5 1/2 to 7 years old when they are typically ready to sit in a high backed booster properly 100% of the time (physically and neurologically.) Then there are advantages of comfort and positioning to using a high-backed booster as long as the child fits it.

In a case of both physical and neurological special needs I'd absolutely want to keep the child harnessed quite a bit longer; the child might even need a special needs harnessed seat if the low tone is severe. Then I'd want a high-back booster to aid positioning and prevent fatigue as long as possible or until the need was outgrown.

Lovatic24 · Aug 26, 2013

I agree with Ketchupqueen. She might tire easily because of low tone and not sit in the correct position. Keep her in the harness.

High Back vs. Backless Booster for 5 year old with Autism/low tone

MoxieandPixie

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ketchupqueen

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