Oh my goodness in a moment of madness I've booked a Feather Down Farm weekend

[getbackinyouryurtjimjams]

Some of you will know that I've been desperate to go camping for a while but haven't felt able to risk it with ds1 (severely autistic).

So I got the brochure.

Dh was scared about ds1 escaping, but we reckon I could sleep in the box bed with him and he won't be able to get out without waking me.

I was talking to my Mum about it and when I mentioned the word camping ds1 starting shouting and pointing at the brochure and out the door, so I figured he wants to go.

He has come on so much this year that it might work- sometimes we can even reason with him now. And he understands so much more than he did.

DS2 and ds3 are keen as well.

I've booked somewhere about an hours drive away so if it's a disaster we can escape home

Our first family holiday in...... erm 5 years.

DS1 keeps grabbing the brochure and shouting. There are quite a few weeks until we go......

Apologies in advance if you've booked a stay the same time as us

Bloody hell JJ that must have been terrifying! Easy for me to say, but bugger the cost and get the tracker!

It can't be easy though as the roads thing must be terrifying anyway - so a tracker won't really solve the problem in town although it would be handy on your holiday. Are you sure there is no where you can rent them from - at least that way you can try before you buy!

I found your sad and happy post when searching for the B&Q one! Blimey - that really is quite something! I had a lump in my throat though as I read it - wondering how awful it must be to be able to comprehend what people are saying but to be unable to respond in any way at all

Does he type himself yet? I so hope he finds a way to communicate with you - I really do!

He can type out whole words when he's really really cross, or very emotional. Otherwise we get some first letters, but all a bit random and not very clear.

But this week we received the first 6 weeks worth of the typing program. I have to practice with ds2 and get the video reviewed, have a phone consultation then we can get started. I think having seen it there's no reason why it shouldn't work with ds1. He has the concentration skills now. And he's made it very clear that he wants to do this typing (he watched a video of a boy aged 9 doing it- I told him the boy was 9, autistic like him etc- then he grabbed a letterboard- spelt out his name- first time ever and jabbed at the screen). So he should be motivated. It will be hard though.

The NAS has a partnership with a tracker company it's lots to buy but can buy monthly memberships. It would need a mobile phone signal though to contact them and Salcombe is the sort of place that has blackspots.

Thanks TC

The typing thing sounds promising! Nothing short of amazed at him spelling out his name - he sounds so ready for this!

Fingers crossed xxxxxxxxxx (all ten of them)!

this is the video I showed him from this website

Oh that video is amazing (although I thought at one point she was going to swat him with the book).

Oh JJ this could be such a big step forward for you all - I really, really hope you have some success! You've worked so assiduously with him over the years that I feel you deserve a breakthrough!

artichokes- if we're there at the same time we'll stand out. Come and say hello

DS1 should be OK during the night (although he's scared of the dark, but I'll sort something there- I'll buy a battery lantern or something). it's the light mornings that could get noisy

Ummmmmm, I've just had a look at the link. Oh...MY..... GOD! It looks bloody AMAZING. I absolutley want to go. It's really posh camping. It's heaven. I'm in. Am going to decide which location and book for next year. Nice one JJ

Excellent TC. If it goes well we could book the same site. Have a SN meetup

Gosh I would love to do this - it looks wonderful.

Soapbox- Soma - in the video is quite amazing. She's in Texas so we're having to do something a little different but they boy you see in the video is communicating routinely with that now. He had been doing it for about 6 weeks at the time of the video.

I think ds1's spelling etc is less intact than his, and he seems a little more passive than ds1- but I do have every finger I possess crossed (and every toe)

I'm so excited, a brochure is on it's way to me!

Jimjams, I live about 5 miles away from Rickham. Why don't you ring the farmer and ask about mobile 'phone reception, I'm sure he would know. We both have orange phones and reception is not bad at all, but you obviously don't want the blackspot to be right where you are staying. I'm sure if you explained the situation they wouldn't mind wandering around with a phone and checking for you, (if they have the same network that is).

BTW the 'phone number on the site is wrong, the Salcombe prefix is 01548 84, so the number would be 01548 842471.

It does look lovely, and I'm sure you will have a brilliant time.

Thanks Helennn. We're not actually that far away - nearest big city- so I could go and try it out (and in a way it wouldn't matter as one of us could run up the nearest hill and call from there). I probably will get a tracker..... The NAS one you can buy monthly tracking so I could buy the base then just activate it on special occasions!

Ah jimjams, I often go to the 'nearest big city' for a spot of retail therapy, it has got much better with the new shopping centre, .

Good idea about staying quite near home. I have done a 2am flit before from a camp-site about 2 miles from Salcombe. My 2 year old dd would just not go to sleep, so I drove us both home. Trouble is I couldn't see very well, drove out of the field and rather than turning left up the lane I carried going straight on into the opposite field. Couldn't work out where I was and had to drive around looking for the gate . Didn't tell dh that bit though .......

A few years ago we had the chance to try a night in a hotel (with kids/paid for) within walking distance of home so we did. We almost left at midnight when ds1 was still bouncing off the walls, but then we worked out how to turn off the ceiling fan..... No ceiling fans in tents thank goodness.

We've been getting the FD Farm brochures for a couple of years now, but haven't gone - price + other stuff going on - looks wonderful!

JJ - what happened with your fence in the end - did you find a way to prevent ds1 from scaling it?

Nope! He has progressed onto climbing the wall to try and get onto the first floor balcony So it's supervision all round. Decided the safest thing was for him not to be out there alone (bit of a pain).

that's a flipping nightmare. Will continue to rack brains but am assuming you've thought through every option possible.

I think supervision is the only way really It's OK though- we're managing to sort it. The younger 2 complain sometimes because they're not allowed out if I'm doing jobs but I can wash up and watch so they get out enough. I get them to grass on ds1 as well if I'm busy in the kitchen.

We went to the Featherdown Farm near Oakham for a weekend last year. It was fabulous. The beds were so comfy, the wood burning stove was great fun and sooo warm when I lit it for our morning cup of tea. The kids loved searching for eggs (which we then had for breakfast). The farm 'honesty shop' had bcaon, suasages and other necessities. The showers were clean. It was nice to have our own toilet in the 'tent'.

The cabin bed can easily sleep an adult and child (as long as you're not 6 ft tall).

I am trying to find a weekend to return, but having school age kids and being a teacher make it difficult and it is full all school holidays.

You'll have a great time and your ds 2 & 3 will love the freedom.

That's fab news JJ. You know, I reckon we might even manage taking dd somewhere like that before she gets too big to carry.

Have a fantastic time

I am looking forward to it. DS1 seems to understand that we're going in the holidays but is now asking repeatedly for the playscheme he went to at Easter- which I think is his way of asking to go camping as well.

Erm, out of curiosity, when are you going to the one in Devon?

Are you worried?

You will know if we're there (unless ds1's summer shiatsu does something really miraculous - look for a 9 year jumping repeatedly - usually from standing onto his knees).

He was badgering me again today.