7 yr old son is unbuckling seatbelt...HELP!

Amy - posted on 07/25/2009

Buy him his own clock/radio if he is not into throwing. There must be something in either the children's department or Best Buy, etc. that can give him some satisfaction and that he can put in his lap while in his booster seat Also, turn off the clock and radio in your car if that is possible.

Karen - posted on 07/23/2009

Yes, my 7 year old daughter who has Asperger's was doing that a few weeks ago while I was driving. I simply pulled over and talked to her and explained how dangerous it is to ride in a car without a seatbelt. I took me a few minutes to get through to her because she got upset and thought I was mad at her. I also now make sure she plays with her toy computer when we are in the car for more then 10 minutes or so.

Wendy - posted on 07/23/2009

Wow i know the feeling my daughter had the same issues with the unbuckling but she would come and hit me because it would be the wrong way not the way she wanted to go or when she would get upset. We ended up getting a special needs car seat and she could not unbuckle it also we tried duck taping the button and she could not get that off so hope you can find something that works i know the frustration you are going through! wendy

Beth - posted on 07/23/2009

P.S. He really hated being tied in "with a rope" so he started listening when I said I was going to do it and I was able to stop pretty quickly. But I still keep the rope within his sightline, and he's 6 now! He's been acting up lately...maybe it's time to use it as a "motivator" again.

Beth - posted on 07/23/2009

I'm really just sending this as means of support. A couple of years ago, when our son was about 3-4, I can't tell you the number of times I pulled over and took him out and put him in a time out on the sidewalk when he did this. But in the end, he scared me so and I was so desperate, I went against my better judgment and followed the advice of my father-in-law: I tied him into his seat. Dangerous? In hindsight, yes. But less so than him getting out, trying to climb in front, etc. He's still in his bucket seat with harness; even at 6, he's that small. But we keep telling him he's about ready for his big boy booster, but he won't get it if he's going to fool around like that. Best of luck

Tracy - posted on 07/23/2009

My son did the same thing when he was younger. I found seat belt locks made by saftey 1st. They were a godsend!! You might could find some in the 'baby proofing' asile of your favorite department store. I can't remember where I got mine 9 years ago.

Erin - posted on 07/22/2009

Hope., what is an autism waiver? and how do u get on it? thanks

Erin - posted on 07/22/2009

thanks girls...great ideas! I found something online called a guardian angel seatbelt cover that i have ordered. I will let u know how it works!

Hope - posted on 07/22/2009

maybe ask your IEP team and county placement coordinator, or if you are on the autism waiver if you can get a harness in your vehicle....you are right...very serious...and needs to be addressed immediately

Paris - posted on 07/22/2009

My daughter will not stay bucket either I did 2 things first (we live in a small town)
I pulled over at the police station and have the officer tell her that it was the law and she would go to jail if she broke the law. Second I mover her to the seat with double buckel (if you have 3 seat belts ) use the lock for the middle seat it is very hard to unlock it backwards. Good Luck!

Jonnell - posted on 07/22/2009

You could give him a old cell phone to play with or a battery operated radio, he could tune in to his own radio station. They also make a little toy that they can pretend they are driving with a horn and turn signals and a little steering wheel he can drive with you.

Erin - posted on 07/22/2009

Thanks for your advice! =)

Jonnell - posted on 07/22/2009

you could try to get something with numbers for him to play with while in the booster seat like a calculator or a toy computer or a old cell phone or something to keep his interest while he is in the seat. They also sell little radios for kids he could have his own to play with

Jill - posted on 07/22/2009

A couple of ideas....first he is old enough to understand that it is NOT safe to do that! So of course, you can have a talk with him about it, but if he is like my son, when he sees something cool like that, all the other stuff goes right out of his head.



Try letting him have a couple of minutes (if you don't mind) before leaving to play with the buttons, etc. to get it out of his systerm first (you may have to allow extra time to get where you are going).



Tell him you are pulling over and not moving till his seatbelt is back on (and follow through!)



When going somewhere fun, if he undoes the seatbelt, (warn him first of course), turn around and go back home.



Give him something handheld to play with just in the car like a calculator, LeapPad, game system, mp3 player or something so he can do in his seat with the belt still on.



Good luck!