DownSyn Forum

KatieB · Posted: March 03 2008, 4:36 PM Post subject: school van and the car seat

Matty takes a van to school everyday. He's done very well on it, except for coming home this afternoon. He deceided to undo his seat belt that holds him to the car seat, laugh very loud, got up and walked into the back seat to sit with 2 of his sisters friends. The van driver heard Matty with his extra loud laugh, looked at him in the rear view mirror, she said she was horrified to see his seat empty. The 2 girls yelled out, "Matt is with us in the back" she said she immediatly pulled over, got him in his seat, re buckeled, and went on their way. The van driver said that if this becomes a prob, he can't take the van anymore, rules. She was surprised since he always behaves in the van. i'm just afraid that if Matty gets up again, what if he casues an accident, I couldn't bear the thought of the him, the driver, or the other kids getting hurt if he did something. The driver is great with the kids. I know it's just his first time, and I hope the last of doing getting out of his car seat in the school van, or any vehicle for that matter. At least he now has the hand strength to undo a buckle, good, but car seat bad. If this happens tomorrow, I'll be driving him to school from now on, at least it's just a little bit over a mile.
Katie

lespring · Posted: March 03 2008, 5:52 PM Post subject:

Tell your driver to tell the transportation person to buy a buckle cover. Very simple device and he he won't be able to unbuckle the belt again. They can't not transport him for this reason. They have to find a way to keep him secure in the seat. There are LOTS of different options! For quite some time Angela wore a harness on the bus. The harness goes on the child and zips up the back. Then on the seat is a belt system that has two loops on it. The harness clips onto these loops BEHIND the child so there is no way they can unhook it. WORKS GREAT! Last year we were having major issues in the car and I almost bought one. I would have no qualms about using it.

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LeeJo · Posted: March 03 2008, 7:48 PM Post subject:

Alex unbuckles too, so he is in a car seat, even though it's not required by law at his age. If the bus driver doesn't know about options, you can call the transportation dept., and/or talk to his teacher/principle. I would guess the transportation dept. will accommodate without trouble.

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momofrussell · Posted: March 04 2008, 10:15 AM Post subject:

You can request an aide via IEP team... you can get a harness if it's a prob...

just throwing out some options. Wink

A.

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Amy · Posted: March 04 2008, 1:31 PM Post subject:

I'm shocked the driver was so ignorant of the options. To just say he can't ride the van??? Obviously she doesn't know the law.
amy

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KatieB · Posted: March 04 2008, 2:45 PM Post subject:

thanks for the options
We were the ones that probably would have had him taken off the van. I spoke with the van driver this morning, and before I mentioned yesterday, she said they do have belt covers at the Van co, and she will request one for Matty. while getting Matt buckled in this morning, The 2 first grade gals gave Matt a lecture, their Ashleys friends, and told him that they would tell her if he does it again, think that probably scared him, like scared straight, the wrath of his 6.5 yr old sis. becasue he asked them not to tell "No Ashley" than the 2nd grade gal he sits next to with DS, with behavior issues too, gave him a lecture, "Matthew, sit straight, hands on your lap, no touch the buckle,hands self, I'll tell" that's what happens with assertive little ladies in first and 2nd grade. At least I was laughing when I closed the van door.
Katie

KatieB · Posted: May 07 2008, 8:13 AM Post subject:

Seems I won't have to worry about Matty being on a school van much longer. Our town is going to terminate the contract with the present company located in the town, to a company further away, for the almighty buck. Matty gets a good amount of TLC from the van driver, she's great, and the families and kids think she's great too. The present company has never had any probs transporting SPED kids, that I have heard of anyway, they're all local or live here in town. I don't worry about Matty getting left behind or hurt to or from school. Now the town can save more money becasue numerous parents WILL NOT be putting their kids on vans with this new company. We're all going to try to save the preent contract which is done by June 30. Matty will be driven to camp this summer by me, and the fall to school by my husband or myself. The almighty buck rules.
Katie