help getting daughter to walk

[Guest guest]

Does any one have any advice on getting an autistic child to walk more. My

daughter (www.bettertogive.net/anna)loves to be outside, but doesn't like

to walk much. She will run off, or explore on her own (it is certainly not a

physical program!) but she will NOT 'go for a walk' with another person. She

insists on being carried on the shoulders. She sometimes will in a wagon, but

not for long. Even the two blocks to school is either a piggyback ride or a 1/2

hour battle of screaming, flinging herself on the ground and dashing in front of

one of us in order to be picked up.

is 4 now, and while carrying her hasn't been a problem in the past (yes we

have set a precedent that will be hard to break) She is over 40lbs. I can

still do ok with her, but my wife is starting to have some back problems and it

is just too much.

For now we reward walking with a few M & Ms (her fav) and try to extend the

distance each time - so far we have made it ALL the way down the driveway.

Any suggestions appreciated

Jerry