Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi
I am new on here. My son has Aspergers and is starting secondary school in September.
it is quite a short bus journey. There would be 2 big roads to cross but both have pedestrian crossings.
Basically I feel under pressure to let him travel alone because many of his friends at school have already been travelling alone in year 6 of primary school.
Everyone assumes he will get bus alone when I say which school he is going to.
My son is very intelligent so I think people think he is capable. But his sense of road safety still isn’t great! When he’s talking with friends it is even worse! Even his teacher mentioned it when they go on school trips. Until I feel more comfortable with that I have decided to take him and pick him up.
I don’t want him to be embarrassed of his mum picking him up so will wait in the car at an agreed place!
Has anyone else had this issue?
Im not sure how much is him genuinely being in danger and how much is me being overly anxious and having difficulty cutting the apron strings!
Thanks
Sarah.
That is so my son! We were meeting friends once and he almost went to cross a busy road without looking!
Also if they see something or someone across the road they may forget safety and just cross
Our school has really rough kids so he doesnt even walk out with them anymore he comes out separate. Rough as in the police are up there daily. Teachers get attacked. My sons had abh in class! But I've looked around the other local schools are just as bad and worse sen provision. Alot of complaints and tweaking he spends alot less time with the kids unsupervised so fingers crossed its sorted now that hes safe
I’m planning on parking as near as I can and getting him to come out to car. I’ll get him a phone so I can tell him exactly where I am. Even that worries me!
Nice to know it’s not just me!
Yes we have been trying to show him road safety stuff on YouTube and getting him to tell us if he thinks it is safe to cross the road.
it is a worry! I think sensory issues make him less aware of his surroundings.
My son is now year 9. I also had this worry but I picked him up and dropped him off since day one. My sons road safety is awful no matter how much I try. It turns out loads of other kids get picked up from school too! I also have to wait for my boy in school or he gets worried. Again I found I'm not the only one
Sarah
I totally understand. We too start secondary in September and he should be going on the bus. I don't feel he is safe too so will be taking him in.
Hi Sarah, I’m new here too. My daughter starts high school in September so know how you are feeling!
Ignore the pressures of everyone else and trust your gut to do what is right for your son. You can take positive risks to teach him road safety if and when it’s the right thing for him x