Want to keep 5 year old w/special needs harnessed question.

[Unregistered]

Hello, I am looking to replace my seat for my 5 year old. He is 44 pounds and 43 & 1/2 inches tall. His shoulder is at a 16 inch and crotch a 6 inch. I have a 2008 Pathfinder. I think I've narrowed it down to between the evenflo securekid 400 or the britax frontier 85 sict. I was considering the Nautilus but we tried that in person and I think the crotch placements are not adequate enough. I want to keep him in a 5 point harness as long as possible, comfortably, and safely.

Which do you think is the better seat or is there a better option I am maybe not aware of for him? He sits in the middle of the middle row but I could move him if needed. Thank you

 

[wendytthomas]

The Frontier has top slots about 2" taller than the SecureKid, so it'll keep him harnessed about two years longer. If that's what you're looking for, the Frontier is likely a better bet.

After the Frontier, if a harness is still necessary, you'd need to start looking into special needs seats. I've heard that they can be an absolute bear to fight with insurance companies over, so if you feel one may be necessary, start looking and getting the paperwork in order, your doctors ready to help, and everything about six months out from when you think you might need it. That way if it does take a while, you're still ok on time.

If you just need a harness for longer than average, it's very like the Frontier will take you from harness to a booster at around nine years old, and then it's the tallest high back currently on the market, so it could in theory keep him in a booster for an additional three years before you'd have to move him to a backless booster, another restraint, a vest, or simply the seatbelt. Depending on what's going on then.

Wendy

 

[kam1011]

Of those options? Definitely the Frontier. We have a SK400 for my newly 4yo. When we bought it back in February, I had my 5y10m daughter sit in it. While she "technically" fit in it, the harness is really short, so you can only loosen it so far. We were able to buckle her into it, but there was no need to tighten the harness- she already couldn't breathe! At that time, she was a little bigger than your son is now. If you're looking for something to last your 5yo, I would spring for the Frontier.

 

[Unregistered]

Thank you for your help. This does bring me to new questions though. Do I need my insurances permission for a special seat or what are you referring to? Do you know how long the frontier last before expiring? I thought the average was 5 years. And lastly is there any real reason worth the extra cost ,in your professional opinion, between the 2 frontiers?

Thank you

 

[joolsplus3]

There are special needs seats that can keep kids harnessed up to age 12 or 14, but they run about 800-1400 dollars (last I checked, look at www.adaptivemall.com for all the current options). The Frontier does not expire for 9 years, and most seats are good for at least 6 years before expiring, and there are lots of seats that are 7 and 8 years (the only one that is 5 years is one infant seat). But yeah, I think the Frontier is a good choice. In addition to being a tall harness, with deep crotch strap, when you use it as a booster later, you can add the Secure Guard crotch strap to the lap belt to keep things positioned properly (if he's slouching and needs extra support). The SICT model probably does add some protection in side impacts, but it does make the seat wider, so it depends on if he's got a lot of space back there (not sitting next to siblings in other seats? Very narrow car? It works great in captain's chairs!)

 

[Unregistered]

lots of good information, thank you again. He doesn't sit next to anyone.

Does anyone know if insurance helps pay for a special seat? I am still unsure where that part comes in to play.

We did go try out seats at babies r us today and the frontier is the best so far.

 

[wendytthomas]

From what I've heard, they often will. But you can't just hand them a receipt saying, "I bought this, reimburse me!" It takes doctors/therapists writing letters explaining why it's important, why your child needs it, and why insurance should pay for it.

For now, I'd probably get a Frontier and use that until your child outgrows it. But about six months before it's outgrown, reevaluate. Is a booster an option? If so, just convert the seat. If not, start talking to insurance, doctors, and therapists (whoever is required in your particular case) and start the letter writing and get the insurance approval before you buy. Special needs seats are awesome for kids who need them. They're remarkably customizable for exactly what you need, often harness to about 120 pounds or more, they have head stabilizers, foot stools, vests, all sorts of things. But you pay for that. They can easily be $800-$1500 per seat.

Wendy

 

[flipper68]

Here's an example of what we're referring to - a "letter of justification" as well as the process for getting insurance approval for durable medical equipment (wheelchair, stander, SN car seat):

http://www.freedomconcepts.com/therapist/funding/justification-letters/

My SIL is a pediatric PT. She often has to write 3 or more letters before getting approval for equipment. Often it has to go through Medicaid (most kids with SN in my area are Medicaid) and then private insurance. Hence the need to start early.

A couple places to look at special needs seats:
http://www.adaptivemall.com/transportation.html
http://eztether.com/

 

[Unregistered]

Thank you so much for all the help. I am going with the frontier for now and going to talk with his specialist this next appointment.