Last summer we decided it was time for Bubs to lose the training wheels. We were hit with strong resistance. So we do what all good parents do…we took the bike to therapy. Ms. W was more than happy to help. Bubs wasn’t the first kid that she has worked with this on. He didn’t give her the resistance and it also helped that “Ms. W said we were to work on it” throughout the week. It wasn’t long before he had it down.
Winter came and Bubs’ riding time was cut to nil. So this spring we had to start over again. Cut through the fear. We threatened to take the bike back to Ms W but thankfully we haven’t had to.
For a child with Sensory Processing Disorder, riding a bike can be extremely scary and difficult. SPD kiddo struggle with their vestibular system (balance and keeping upright and moving forward) and fear. One website said, “{Children with SPD} will often do anything to avoid an activity that he/she fears.” Bubs would still do anything over riding his bike.
A friend asked me “Do you make Bubs ride him bike?” Short answer, yes. We knew that Bubs had to get over his fear of falling. We also know that he had to trust us to protect him as he rode. At the beginning we literally put him on the bike, kicking and screaming. He would cry the entire time – even while riding totally by himself. But we kept going. Not for long periods of time but daily facing his fears.
Bubs can ride up and down our lane with his Daddy running beside him. He is learning to turn in wide circles. He is still very insecure but that will come with lots and lots of practice. The look on his face as he rides past us is priceless. He is so proud of himself and wants everyone to see him.
We still face his fears daily. But now the resistance is felt at the beginning instead of the beginning and middle. If when Daddy tells him it is time to ride he gets “ugly” with his words or attitude, then Bubs earns himself extra times up and down the lane. Pretty soon we know that he will be begging to ride by himself.
Yes, I believe it is important for all of our children to ride a bike. But there is a lot more to this. Bubs is learning to face his fears. “Get back on the saddle.” He is also learning to trust us as his parents. This isn’t going to be the last hurdle he faces but hopefully this will make the next one a little easier.
Looking for more suggestions about helping your SPD child learn to ride a bike? Read this article called “Sensory Processing and Riding a Bike“.
