Running Dangerous!!!!?????

Hello to all,

I hope that someone can give me some suggestions to solve a problem 
before it's too late!

My son is almost 7.  He was diagnosed mild/moderate at 2.5.  He is a 
very loving, caring, interactive child.  He says some words and 
sometimes tries to put together short sentences (4-5 words.  He 
loves attention and will seek us out for it.

The problem we are having is, he is a runner!  Anytime he is outside 
you have to hold his hand or he will just take off.  He will look 
over his shoulder and laugh thinking it's a game.  This can be very 
dangerous because of running out in front of a car or into another 
dangerous situation.

The other problem we have is what we call the "wet noodle 
syndrome".  When you try to get him to go somewhere he doesn't want 
to go he will collapse and become a wet noodle which makes it very 
hard for anyone to pick him up, and he knows it!  Unless you are 
very strong, he can be hard to control.  My parents and my wife have 
a very difficult time with this.  This also adds to the problem of 
running, when you catch him.

I hate to resort to spanking for several reasons.  For one I feel 
bad when I have to smack his backside!  Other reasons include: he 
thinks it's a game/funny, Mom and Grandparents are very inconsistent 
so it doesn't get the reinforcement it needs to make a difference.

Right now I am the only one that can control him sometimes and this 
worries me because I am a fireman and spend 24 hours every 3 days 
away from home.  Does anyone have any suggestions to help alleviate 
these behavioral problems before he gets any older?  He will be 7 in 
August.

Please respond to my email below.

Thanks in advance,
Bobby, Brian's Dad
hdflame@xxxxxxxxxx