DS 1 (3 yr old) is a sensory seeker and tries to get out of his carseat, throw anything he can get his hands on throughout the car at me and DS 2(such as his shoes or toys) and yanks DS 2's (1 yr old) arm VERY hard and hits him repeatedly. I have tightened DS1's carseat as much as I can, but his arms are still long enough to reach DS 2 and hurt him. I tried wrapping some fabric loosely around DS's shoulders to hold him back in the carseat, and he wriggled out of it and started hurting DS2 again. Please, any help brainstorming a solution to restrain DS to keep his arms down or in his own space would be helpful. I don't want to hurt DS 1, but need to keep DS 2 safe also.

I am so sorry you have to go through this. have you tried anything heavy to put his lap, maybe take a favorite animal and open it up and make it heavy! You can get polly pellets at the fabric store but make sure you sew them into small bags before inserting them into the animal. Do you have toys in there to occupy? Probably use them as weapons. Weighted vest, something to slow him down and not to have that fear of being restrained. OH!!!!! I JUST THOUGHT OF SOMETHING! What kind of car seat, with the shoulder straps or is it a booster?!?!?!?!?! Write me back and let me know!!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah, Happy New Year!~

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I sent you a message, let me know if you got it, if it came three times sorry, I was having trouble sending it.

Although I'm not usually a big fan of movies and shows in the car, I might consider a portable DVD player to keep him distracted.

I have experienced the same problem. I have 2 boys, ages 4 (sensory seeker) and 15 months. I have tried LOTS of things and have found that installing a DVD player has helped tremendously. The only time I generally still have a problem is if the baby is crying. He has a very loud, shrill cry and it drives my 4 year old insane. He gets very, very angry and that, in turn, scares the baby and makes him cry even harder. I have to have a bottle or snack for the baby at all times to make the crying stop immediately or pull over and hold the baby until he calms down.

I have a similar problem with my 5 (SPD) and 3 year old! While not always possible, if there is more than one adult in the car, one of us will give the 5 year old a foot rub for sensory input which helps. We also put rice into a stuffed animal (named Heavy Ducky) that we would have him hold, or have a special drink cup for him that requires extra effort to sip and give him a drink. I also like the lap pad idea. Also, does he like music? If so, what kind? I have found turning on whatever type of music my 5 year old wants at the time (sometimes it is hard rock, sometimes it is classical!) helps calm him. Would he tolerate an inexpensive mp3 player with headphones he can listen to his own music? Would he play with a small can of playdough at the same time? I wouldn't want to give him more ammo if not neccessary, but if the object gives him the sensory input long enough to get where you are going, maybe it will work?

My son has always loved Nickleback since he was about 2! The speech path would be like, " Don't you think you should put on something more appropriate?" He loved it, it would make him so happy and he would clam down! He still LOVES music, he started playing the guitar but refused to practice, I should start him back up again even though he doesn't practice. I wonder if the vibration from the hard music soothes them in some way, because that he wanted loud and still does!!!! That's my boy! lol

(12-31-2012, 11:06 PM)kath2740 Wrote: DS 1 (3 yr old) is a sensory seeker and tries to get out of his carseat, throw anything he can get his hands on throughout the car at me and DS 2(such as his shoes or toys) and yanks DS 2's (1 yr old) arm VERY hard and hits him repeatedly. I have tightened DS1's carseat as much as I can, but his arms are still long enough to reach DS 2 and hurt him. I tried wrapping some fabric loosely around DS's shoulders to hold him back in the carseat, and he wriggled out of it and started hurting DS2 again. Please, any help brainstorming a solution to restrain DS to keep his arms down or in his own space would be helpful. I don't want to hurt DS 1, but need to keep DS 2 safe also.

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Hi, Veteran sensory seeking mom here...Sounds like you have your hands full, sorry...The best thing that I have ever found for my children whom both had sensory issues was a classical musical cd designed specifially for sensory kids...I had a mozart one, and it worked wonders. The first time I played it, my kids both fell asleep in five minutes. I used it twice daily for twenty minutes in the car as a part of their therapy to calm their brains down. Inquire with your sensory therapist..if you dont have one, just call any office and I am sure they will order you one. They are not expensive. Just order one. It will either work or not. YOu will know immediately. The other thing I would add is that I would have your husband or somebody get crafty and install something like a "wall like barrier" to prevent him from getting at his brother. It can be something soft/see-through...think out of the box. Your little guy is only three, he has sensory issues so he is a long way off from reasoning. YOu just might have to resort to these measures for the time being.....I do have a blog where I post my own journey with my sensory kids...MY struggles, but best of all what has worked and what has not. I encourage you to visit. I created it in order to help others whom are going through the same journey. qannie47.blogspot.com

You can get Mozart listening therapy cds at http://www.soundtherapysystems.com/