I found out from my son’s first Occupational Therapist that he has problems with vestibular strength (not sure of the exact medical terminology), that affects his balance, and then to add his trouble with processing things in order…no wonder I couldn’t get him riding within three summers! I keep learning so much about his strengths and weaknesses. Now, it’s just trying to adapt to his functioning or letting go of certian age-appropriate expectations for the time being. The picture is from June 2010.

This goal shall be continued…. 17 months ago

Yay! $50 paid! I am now the proud owner of the only way to bring my son anywhere on a bike-a Schwinn Hitch Hiker. We both love it! Hopefully he’ll gain some quality balance and peddling skills we can work more with during the fall on his own bike.

××fingers crossed×× 22 months ago

The practice that’s been put forth with the “big-boy” bike this summer has helped very little, if at all. My son just has the hardest time catching on to things that go zoom (things with wheels). I don’t know what it is but anything with wheels, he fumbles with; his bike, scooter, his rollerblades (although he’s great with ice skates). He does better with his Big Wheel trike (one big wheel in front, two smaller wheels in back)...I even found a Razor scooter at the thrift store with three wheels, but he has troubles with balance. Maybe there’s something screwey with his equilibrium.

Anyways, onto the new addition! So, I’ve all but given-up with the “big boy” bike on his own. I decided that maybe a tag-along would work well. When researching the different brands, I had a bad case of “sticker shock” and started looking on craigslist and freemarket, but nothing great showed up. Well, one day when my kiddo waas trying to not fall off of his bike, the mom next door and I started talking about the kids. I mentioned toher that I’m thinking of buying a tag-along, and guess what? She had one sitting in her garage!

It’s been a couple of weeks since she said she’d let me see if I like it or not. I figured she forgot. But today, she said she found it and allowed me to hook it up to my bike and test ride. It was oddly awesome! I didn’t realize they wobled around like a bike with training wheels does, but that’s good-it helps the child learn balance. My son and I rode a few blocks and he loved it! She said I could give her “whatever” for it. She said she paid $80 when I asked. I’m thinking $50 if she’ll take it. That’d be spectacular!

I’ll talk with her again tomorrow and see if that’s okay. I sure hope so! 22 months ago

We tried this again for the first time this summer about a week ago. We found a nice bike at the thrift shop (I can’t muster $$ for a brand-new “training bike”) that I cleaned up and put a little work into. My kiddo was very excited to get back up on the horse, so to say!

So off he went…and then down he went…and off he went…and then back down he went. I felt so sad for him but he didn’t want to give up. He has such a difficult time getting all the moves together; peddling, stearing, and looking up from the ground.

This is the third year in a row we’re attempting this goal! I’m hoping this will be the year! They say Asperger kids have a harder time riding a bike, for whatever reason. Hm, we shall see what this summer brings…

He’ll make it sooner or later!!! 23 months ago