Safeclip seatbelt

[LisaHawes]

I am exploring the option of using a safeclip seatbelt as a control measure with a young woman with ASD. The plastic safeclip conceals the seat belt release button and is provided by Halfords. The individual is supported on a 1:3 basis i.e. one member of staff to three service users. When in a moving vehicle she will frequently remove her seatbelt and has at times attempted to grab her support staff whilst driving. Activity distracters, playing music, reward charts and different seating arrangements have been tried in an attempt to manage this behaviour. The individual is unable to communicate her agreement to the safeclip. What are people's views on using this type of mechanism if agreed by the MDT?

[dave]

Hi Lisa

My experience is that if a person wants to get out of a seat belt they will. Imagine what it may be like if the person really starts trying to struggle against the belt - or whatever behaviours may emerge. I presume you want to hide the buckle release by using a shield - my feeling is that if they are already trying to get out because they don't like the belt then making it more difficult to get out will end up making the situation far worse. Personally I would try to get to the bottom of what wearing the seat belt is all about. You may tried all of this but go back to the drawing board - what's the belt all about in the first place, use social stories and cartoon outlines to work around using the belt - you never know, they might not want to out in the first place, try walking instead, see if you can use a different vehicle, try the person in the van by themselves - if that works then maybe it's not the belt.

Let us know how it goes

good luck

[anon_e-mouse]

I have known clients that have settled better with differing tensions on the belt.

I agree with dave on the thinking around the subject but on a practical note halfords also have a clip which allows slack in the belt. its usually used for pregnant women to stop baby being squashed. I found it useful for clients who do not like the restristive sensation of a tight seat belt.

As for putting them on this can be done by two people. The first sits in fron of the client and the seat belt is passed to the staff in front and stretched to full extension. This is then passed to the member of staff sitting next to the client who then does the belt clipping. This saves the member of staff from leaning over the client. The tensioner/untensioner can then be adjusted for comfort.

Again risk analysis is needed with a decision on whether the pottential for benefits outweigh the pottential for harm.

two products worth a second look
http://www.monstermarketplace.com/Babies/Landing2566a290.html

http://www.care4car.com/productdisplay/productid/100/Klunk_Klip_seat_belt_comfort_control.html


Let us know how you get on.

[LisaHawes]

Thank you both for your thoughts. I'll certainly explore the options you have suggested and will let you know how I get on.

[timp]

One further thought. I've worked with one service user who was so 'anti-seatbelt' that the service in question eventually got her a certificate of dispensation; so legally she doesn't have to wear one. She's generally very calm in transport, unless you try to put a seatbelt on her, at which point she often loses it. Plenty of safety issues to consider as far as seating arrangements go - making sure there's no one directly in front of her that she'll cannon into in the event of an accident for one thing - but weighed against the daily safety risks of incidents around seatbelts it was considered worthwhile. Just a thought:) .

[forumAdmin]

Lets not let that idea become too public

I dont like the idea of ending in a argument of
"well another service did this and it sounds easy so lets appply for a dispensation"

also I suppose the seat in front can have a seat belt on as good support because some of the seats would not stop me (or you tim :p ) at speed.

interesting case tim.

[anon_e-mouse]

Yes, forum admin not wearing a seat belt is not an easy option. There are reasonable arguments for not wearing them on medical grounds but not behavioral grounds. Sometimes doctors will not understand the difference. Generally it is safer to wear a restraint. I would think it would be a tricky argument to say which was the least risky alternative..
As for public information sorry forum admin this is and should be public knowledge!!!

Medical practitioners can obtain supplies of Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing (the certificates are in booklets of five) and the guidance leaflet Medical Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing from:
Department of Health
PO Box 777
London
SE1 6XH
Tel: 08701 555455 (NHS Responseline)
Fax: 01623 724524
E-mail: doh@prologistics.co.uk (doh@prologistics.co.uk)
The certificate will not give a reason for the exemption, but it will say for how long it remains valid. This may be for a few months, a year or more, or possibly indefinitely.


Have the information available to make choices.

[forumAdmin]

No problem with it being public knowledge at all

I just feel that when a trainer is standing in front of a group of people and is asked for their opinion on a transport issue

it would be wrong at that point to say
"oh yeah you can just go and get a dispensation so you dont have to argue about it, no seat belt - easy"

It is how readers percieve and propoagte the information that is my concern.........
are their grounds for my concern or am I toooo timid?