I'm keen to get a walking harness/leash for my 18 month old but google is only giving me sponsored adds so I can't find any real information... I'm wondering if anyone has any advice about buying one for kids with ASD?
• Which is better between the standard harness, backpack or wrist strap?
• Are there any features you wish you knew about before buying?
• Is there anything particularly annoying about using one?
• Sensory friendly product recommendations? (I will spend more for a better quality product but I know the newest and most expensive one isn't necessarily the best)
• Any other pros/cons/advice?
The wrist strap looks the least offensive imo, but I'm imagining him snatching his hand away to run and spraining his wrist or shoulder when the cord snaps taut... Is that a valid concern or am I overthinking it? They look like they might be for kids who will hold hands and walk side-by-side... I don't think it would be good enough to secure a wild stallion getting broken in? Lol I'd love to be wrong though, they do look the most appealing
Please, no snarky comments about leashes being child abuse or for pets. I'm getting a leash so if my autistic toddler doesn't want to go in his pram he can walk safely and stay calm. This is not my first rodeo, my eldest hazed me when she was a toddler, so if I see any salty opinions I'm going to come back to haunt you with very graphic horror stories about my first-hand experience with an ASD toddler in public and you are going to wish you just scrolled past.
Thank you, any help is greatly appreciated! :)
1 Replies
I don't know which are sensory friendly, BUT I bought a wrist strap one so MIL could keep my ASD toddler safe. She couldn't walk very well so no way she could chase him.
My son hated it & figured out how to remove it pretty much immediately. ☹️ . The spiral cord was pretty stretchy so unlikely to snap back or cause injury.
Your stories couldn't shock me... But, my child is 11 now & the most chill kid you'll meet!