Does anyone use a wheelchair for their autistic child? Our son Adam is perfectly mobile but he cannot walk long distances, his autism just prevents him from being able to....in the past we have taken an over-size stroller with us but now he has grown out of that.
We have had comments in the past "that child is too big for that stroller", "why isn't your son walking" etc. So as you can see we try and treat him like any parents do with their child, I guess it's just a concern over 'peoples reaction' to seeing a perfectly mobile boy getting in and out of a wheelchair.
I鈥檓 so sorry the strollers don鈥檛 fit your autistic son. Maybe if you don鈥檛 want to have to use wheelchairs you could have a basket to chair him in. Hope the autism stops crippling his legs soon =[
My son has a hip problem and we have the McClaren Stroller/wheel chair that we always take with us because a lot of walking causes him sever hip pain at night. We have never had a problem at Disney but I do feel like people are saying to themselves what is he doing in that stroller. At home is a different story I was at a street fair and someone looked at him and said isn't he a little big to be wheeled around. I just looked at them and politely said he has a hip problem and ended it at that. I have learned I don't really care anymore what people think.
Don't worry about the reactions. I know; easier said than done. But let's face it; it looks weird if someone uses a wc and gets out of it. People are having a difficult time dealing with those who stay in the chair, let alone those who can get out. In a weird way, I guess we have to be glad that those people just don't know better as it means they don't have to deal with it.
You'll probably get comments or stares. But anybody who's different will. Those of us using a wc permanently get them. Those of us with a not standard hairdo will get stares. Those of us in "weird clothes" will get them. It's the problem of those whispering, staring and talking that they don't understand, it isn't your problem.
Eventhough I'm not very pro, I know some of those who are just to worried and/or ashamed of having an invisable disability and using a wc etc. will try to make something visable. Like for instance wear a visible brace or large bandage on a limb. While I'm all for being who you are, be proud of that and not to teach a kid to need to "explain" themselves, I can see that there are some situations in which it might be better. If Joshua notices the stares and comments and it is something he can't deal with to such an extend it would ruin his whole day and/or really damage his self-image, I would through all those principles out of the windowd and make his disability visable so at least there might be some more understanding.
For you as parents; I know it must hurt like hell. Try to involve yourself with Joshua as much as possible. If you distract yourself, you are likely to notice less of the stares and whispers. It's a technique enough parents use. Or if you're in line and there's a family with kid infront or behind you; start a conversation. Kids are lovely and open. If they've seen the wc, changes are they'll ask about it. This gives you a great oppertunity to talk about it (which can function as a warning to those around; don't judge a book on it's cover), it helps you relax and those kids can react so sweet to this things that they'll just make your day.
And rather harsh but ment well; you used the phrase "a perfectly mobily boy getting in and out of a wheelchair". While it might look like he's perfectly mobile, he isn't. I know it's a hard thing to hear as a parent, but if he were you didn't need to use the wc. So even if it comes up, just mention the fact that he has limited mobilty. No more, no less.
Our DS is 11, with autism, learning disability, and ADHD. We usually use a WDW stroller, but have decided for our next visit we are thinking of bringing a wheelchair.
DS is very mobile, but also likes his own space. He hasn't used a stroller at home since he was 3. I think it's due to the heat in Florida, but he refuses to walk a long distance.
Also really want it for the airport, as last time we carried DS through security/customs. It was a nightmare.
I am worried as well about peoples comments.
