Booster or harness? Age 7, ASD/epilepsy

Mommy0608

New member
Hi. I used to be on the forums all the time, but haven't been here in a while. Would love to get some opinions on this. DD is turning 7 next week and I am trying to decide whether to keep her harnessed a while longer or move her to a high back booster (or at least start letting her practice using one). She is about 45" tall and 38lbs, currently harnessed in a Frontier 85 with one more notch to go in height.

She has epilepsy that is well-controlled with meds. My previous stance was that we'd keep her harnessed until she (hopefully!) outgrew the condition. However, it's looking less likely that she will outgrow it, so I need to start thinking of other options. Her last seizure was in October. Doctor says she has to go 2 years seizure free to try taking her off meds which puts her at about 8.5 years old if she doesn't have another seizure before then.

DD also has Asperger's Syndrome, sensory issues and fine motor delays. She can't buckle herself in the harness. Well, she can if you give her about 5-10 minutes but we all know that's not practical. She CAN buckle a seatbelt though (she likes to plop down in the 3rd row and try to buckle herself). She can be a bit impulsive but she does understand that we all buckle for safety.

She's very aware that no one her age around here is in a harness and (sadly) many don't even use boosters. She is starting to be treated differently by her peers, sadly. Part of me thinks that keeping her harnessed is just one more thing kids can point out. I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of harness vs booster, knowing that we don't know which is safer assuming the child is old enough and big enough. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Here are my thoughts on harnessing:

Pros: Already have a seat that fits her well, confident that she will be in position properly in a crash.

Cons: Peer issues, can't buckle herself, can't easily carpool (I always drive since she's in a harness and friends are in boosters).

Booster (assuming she can sit properly):

Pros: Easier carpooling, can buckle herself, may reduce peer issues.

Cons: Only thing I can think of is determining of she's as safe as possible.
 
ADS

ahgirls

New member
My ASD girl has low core strength that prevents her from sitting in a booster for a length of time. She does fine for short trips around town. "If" she isn't being sensory overloaded. That being said I'm looking at a sn seat for her. She uses her booster for carpooling stuff but her harness for most daily stuff. If your dd has the physical ability & maturity start booster training. With your dd peers being mean. That is just kids not understanding differences, most adults struggle too.

Have you or your dd ever read All Cats have Aspergers? It's one of our favorites besides Todd Parr It's okay to be different.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1843104814/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1370896575&sr=8-1&pi=SL75"]All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome:Amazon:Books[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316043478/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1370896624&sr=8-1&pi=SL75"]It's Okay To Be Different:Amazon:Books[/ame]
 
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Mommy0608

New member
Thank you for the book recs! I haven't read them but will look into those. :)

I think I will start thinking about booster options. The issue is going to be that she is so incredibly narrow/thin. Definitely going to look at the Graco Affix, and possibly the new 2013 Parkway SGL. I like the SecureGuard, but then again, DD may not be able to do it. She's just so darn thin that I worry about her sliding right under the lap belt. She's quite leggy though, so bending her knees over the end of the seat won't be an issue and therefore she likely won't slouch.
 

Mommy0608

New member
Thank you for the book recs! I haven't read them but will look into those. :)

I think I will start thinking about booster options. The issue is going to be that she is so incredibly narrow/thin. Definitely going to look at the Graco Affix, and possibly the new 2013 Parkway SGL. I like the SecureGuard, but then again, DD may not be able to do it. She's just so darn thin that I worry about her sliding right under the lap belt. She's quite leggy though, so bending her knees over the end of the seat won't be an issue and therefore she likely won't slouch.

ETA: Also read about the new Recaro Performance booster. Hmm. Maybe I'll hold out for a while to compare all the options.
 

Mommy0608

New member
Not sure why my ETA made a new post. Sorry. Haven't used the app much. Anyway, does anyone see any reason why I should NOT consider booster training?
 

henrietta

Well-known member
I don't see any reason not to begin booster training her. :)

I would not go w/the Parkway, personally. I don't think it's a good fit for a thin, narrow kid, and I don't think that the SG clip outweighs that poor shoulder belt fit. I've seen the shoulder belt off the shoulder of narrow kids. My friend's daughterr actually hates her PW. My boys don't fit that well in it either, even my broader, almost 5 yr old.

The Graco high back boosters and the new Harmony folding travel booster have fantastic belt fit all around, esp on thin and narrow shouldered kids. The Harmony has a small "hump" towards the front of the seat, b/t their legs to discourage slouching. But my kids never want to slouch in it anyways.

GL!
 

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