So my sister's 3 year old keeps locking himself in the bedroom and even bathroom and refuse to come out. She of course unlocks it with a screwdriver or coin but like she is having to do this a few times a day.
Her son is autistic if that matters but she wanted me to ask around see what others say..
Should she just remove the lock from the bedroom and bathroom and replace the knob with the type that can't be locked until he gets older?
Yes
Unless she wants to have to keep using a screwdriver to open the door, then yes, remove the locks. If she would like to still have a lock sometimes, she can remove the one that the 3 year old can access, and replace it with a lock that is out of reach.
She also can try creating a private space that is safe for her son to retreat to if he needs to, or explore other solutions to meet his sensory needs. Hopefully she can discuss this with his teacher or occupational therapist for ideas.
My 3 year old granddaughter would totally do this if she could. It’s pretty easy to install covers that prevent this and are easy to remove.
Khairete
Suz
What’s she’s doing is totally unsafe. It’s not acceptable to take this much time to get to a 3-year-old, especially in the bathroom.
I don’t understand why she hasn’t gone to the local hardware store for new doorknobs that don’t have locks.
I agree with RN that the child needs one or two places where he can get away from lights, sounds, voices, or whatever. A raised toddler bed with a safe crawl space below, a kid’s tepee (made of cloth), even a recycled refrigerator or dishwasher carton that can have a “door” cut in it to form a little clubhouse would all be possible solutions. Low bookcases could be positioned in his room to create a sheltered space in a corner. Noise-canceling headphones are commonly used for kids with autism, so are white noise machines.
Take a look at any sweater chests or footlockers he might get into and get stuck inside.
If he’s getting some form of OT or early intervention services, the therapist or teacher might have some suggestions. Weighted blankets can help (at night but also during the day).
Also, all the outside doors need to be looked at to see if he can work those locks. You don’t want him able to get out, but you don’t want him to look out his mom who went outside to get the mail or grab something she left in the car.
She can remove the lock, or change out the doorknob. They have doorknobs with no locks or doorknobs that come with a key or little pick that you insert to open the door (and you’d keep that key yourself, out of reach of anyone, in case of an emergency). A child that young does not need doorknobs like a young adult might, for privacy from his parents or house guests while undressing, for example.
This child’s mom is not taking this problem as seriously as she should. Her son could hurt himself.
Years ago a neighbor of mine had a middle schooler who was autistic. During a neighborhood block party, she found a parked car that was unlocked and locked herself in the car. No amount of asking worked to get her to try to unlock it. The police had to come and get her out because they couldn’t find the owner.
Hope your sister acts before learning a hard lesson.
Yes
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