A while ago, we bought a harness for a large child. It looks pretty much like the fancier rigs that get used with dogs - the ones that go around the body, not the neck. We hadn't used it. However, my daughter (boys' aunt) and I are planning to take Mikey to a local amusement park in a couple of weeks, and I decided it was time to make sure he *would* wear it.
It took a while to get it on him, and - let's just say I plan to RTFM before putting it back on him.
"Mikey, do you want to go for a walk?"
"Yes."
"OK, you have to wear this harness."
He was very cooperative.
"Do you wear a harness at school?"
"Yes." (I'm not really sure he does - he goes to a special school for autistic kids. They do go on field trips.)
When it was on - still didn't quite feel right, but it was on - we went out the front door. He was actually very cooperative; and, unlike other times on walks when he's get too far ahead, now he simply slowed down when the lead "tugged" on him.
"Right," he said, indicating he wanted to go down the sidewalk.
"Right."
"Left."
"Mikey, what does the light show?"
We were at a street corner. Mikey doesn't "get" lights.
"Push the button, Mikey."
"Left!"
"Yes, Mikey, but first we go to the right to push the button so we can walk."
We did. He is very bright - the next light we came to, when asked to push the button, he did. I am hopefull this will eventually sink in.
"What do you see? Stop? Walk?"
Getting similar attention at a non-stoplight street corner, or by a parking lot driveway, is nearly impossible. But -- as we approached one parking lot driveway, and a car was coming, he did stop and wait. This is a major advance - he doesn't stop if a car is in the distance, but he was apparently aware of them close by.
"Right."
"Straight."
"Mikey, do you want to go to the park?"
"Yes." Quick turn of the head. "Thackerberry Farms!"
Thackerberry Farms is a strawberry stand. It's MILES away - like 3-5 miles.
"OK, Mikey, let's go home. Grandpa will take you to Thackerberry Farms to get strawberries."
"Straight!"
"No, Mikey, let's go back to Grandma's ..."
"Straight! STRAIGHT!"
Tantrum.
Pulling.
Attempt to run - harness is a good thing, and holds up against the struggle.
Drop to the ground.
Screaming.
Tries to get harness off. (Will he resists wearing it again?)
Pounds his head on the ground.
More screaming.
Rolls.
(Quiet voice here, continuously) "Mikey, we are going back to Grandma's house." (Repeat)
OKay, kids, today's lesson is ... the same one we always learn. Or refine: Set expectations with Mikey.
Later in the day, he wanted to go for a walk again. He agreed to the harness.
Grandpa says, "OK, Mikey, we are going to take a walk AROUND THE BLOCK."
Everything goes well and cooperatively. I have high hopes for the amusement park; and yes, we'll try this harness thing again next week in preparation.
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