Travelling with autism/food issues

woodwaj · 2025-02-23T15:03:49+00:00

My DS is 10 and autistic. He is full of fears (flying, eating, theme parks etc) he has agreed he would be willing to try a holiday this year August time. We'd like a short flight, some sun and a pool. Making it tricky is the only thing I'll be able to get him to eat abroad is mcdonalds. I dont drive so it'll need to be close by. Does anyone have any advice travelling with SEN Children. Do you think a travel agent would be able to help me be this specific? 🤔

Thoughtfullythorough · 23/02/2025 15:08

I think when the time comes Op, where to eat is going to be the least of your worries. I suspect he will refuse to go.

Book a Uk break. Whilst no guaranteed sun, he will be happier and you will be as a result

Thoughtfullythorough · 23/02/2025 15:09

Has he ever flown?

Savemefromwetdog · 23/02/2025 15:11

Benalmadena has a McDonald’s right on the beach, you could look for a hotel close by.

FumingTRex · 23/02/2025 15:12

Why dont you try the UK first? Then you can book a supermarket delivery and get his usual food.

Original poster

woodwaj · 23/02/2025 15:13

He is willing and is now at the age to understand that travelling there is a means to an end. As much as he doesn't look forward to a flight he's certainly not being forced. We do have several UK breaks to look forward to as well.

He hasn't flown since he was about 5.

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babasaclover · 23/02/2025 15:13

If you fly to larnaca and stay in any hotel in protaras there is a McDonald's right on the strip

I feel your pain, I have ARFID

SalmonWellington · 23/02/2025 15:13

You can search for nearby mcdonalds on google maps.

Thoughtfullythorough · 23/02/2025 15:16

woodwaj · 23/02/2025 15:13

He is willing and is now at the age to understand that travelling there is a means to an end. As much as he doesn't look forward to a flight he's certainly not being forced. We do have several UK breaks to look forward to as well.

He hasn't flown since he was about 5.

He is willing when it’s 6 months away and not been booked

Thoughtfullythorough · 23/02/2025 15:17

Has he ever flown?

Martymcfly24 · 23/02/2025 15:17

For us going all inclusive really helped my daughter. The reason was there was always plain chips plain pasta plain rice, bread, cereal and they usually have chicken nuggets .(Obvious depends on what his safe foods are).

Plus I wasn't frustrated by paying for something that wasn't eaten .

Original poster

woodwaj · 23/02/2025 15:17

babasaclover · 23/02/2025 15:13

If you fly to larnaca and stay in any hotel in protaras there is a McDonald's right on the strip

I feel your pain, I have ARFID

Thank you I will look at this. We were refused an arfid diagnosis because he will eat crisps and sweets etc and we're told that's varied enough and not to worry that he's not eating anything nutritional. Do you travel much because of it?

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SalmonWellington · 23/02/2025 15:19

As for flying - airports will often have assistance eg to skip queues. Google - eg - 'Manchester airport autism'. And look here:
www.airport-parking-shop.co.uk/blog/uk-airports-need-step-assistance-autism/

Could also be an idea to visit the airport on a dry run, perhaps to see planes take off? If you can manage only taking cabin bag that definitely speeds things up

ThatThisThatYou · 23/02/2025 15:21

My autistic child loved flying so we did it quite regularly when they were young. All inclusive really helped with food as they could just eat pasta with cheese everyday and it didn’t impact. The rest of us.
Use the special assistance option in the airport. Try and find a smaller airport to fly from.
Ear defenders are good on the plane if they are sensitive with noise.
Take a short flight in the first instance. A 4 hour flight to Cyprus is not recommended if your child has anxieties about flying. What about a trip to Amsterdam to test the water?

Original poster

woodwaj · 23/02/2025 15:22

Martymcfly24 · 23/02/2025 15:17

For us going all inclusive really helped my daughter. The reason was there was always plain chips plain pasta plain rice, bread, cereal and they usually have chicken nuggets .(Obvious depends on what his safe foods are).

Plus I wasn't frustrated by paying for something that wasn't eaten .

Yes I was thinking this. As fussy as he may be ice cream on tap is a big sell for him. We have very few safe foods in terms of actual meals. He would love a pool with other kids to play with. He is an only child but very sociable

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ThatThisThatYou · 23/02/2025 15:23

I’ve remembered something else. I always booked the last row of seats at the back of the plane so we disturbed as fewer people as possible if we had any issues.

Piffyca · 23/02/2025 15:24

We went last year for the first time ever, abroad.

3 autistic teens. They hated it. Spent all the time in their rooms.

Daughter has ARFID and lived off bread because the McDonalds tasted weird.

Won't ever do it again.

FondantFancyFan · 23/02/2025 15:24

Why not take the eurostar or ferry instead of flying first? Get him a sunflower lanyard so the check process will be made more accessible for him.

https://hdsunflower.com/

https://hdsunflower.com/insights/post/the-autistic-traveller

https://hdsunflower.com/uk/insights/post/airports-around-the-world

Book a self catering apartment or villa with your own pool so you can control the sensory overload for him.

Original poster

woodwaj · 23/02/2025 15:25

SalmonWellington · 23/02/2025 15:19

As for flying - airports will often have assistance eg to skip queues. Google - eg - 'Manchester airport autism'. And look here:
www.airport-parking-shop.co.uk/blog/uk-airports-need-step-assistance-autism/

Could also be an idea to visit the airport on a dry run, perhaps to see planes take off? If you can manage only taking cabin bag that definitely speeds things up

Manchester is our local and we do go to the runway every now and again! It's good to know there is assistance available!

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Martymcfly24 · 23/02/2025 15:26

woodwaj · 23/02/2025 15:22

Yes I was thinking this. As fussy as he may be ice cream on tap is a big sell for him. We have very few safe foods in terms of actual meals. He would love a pool with other kids to play with. He is an only child but very sociable

Show quote history

The ice cream on tap was very popular!

My daughter loved the pool and the slides as well.

Like the pp definitely use ear defenders, I made a bag for the plane with ear defenders, sunglasses (in case sitting by a window) and some new and familiar fidget toys and some familiar food, gadgets and a comfort toy. Get a sunflower lanyard too

Holidays have become so successful now we even spent a few days in Disney a while back which was amazing.

FondantFancyFan · 23/02/2025 15:26

Ah just read that you're based in Manchester so eurostar would be an added faff for you.

Original poster

woodwaj · 23/02/2025 15:27

ThatThisThatYou · 23/02/2025 15:21

My autistic child loved flying so we did it quite regularly when they were young. All inclusive really helped with food as they could just eat pasta with cheese everyday and it didn’t impact. The rest of us.
Use the special assistance option in the airport. Try and find a smaller airport to fly from.
Ear defenders are good on the plane if they are sensitive with noise.
Take a short flight in the first instance. A 4 hour flight to Cyprus is not recommended if your child has anxieties about flying. What about a trip to Amsterdam to test the water?

Definitely not against somewhere like that. As I wont be driving anywhere I'd sort of decided all inclusive might be best to just navigate just being somewhere new and keeping him happy than having to navigate a city too 🤔

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ThatThisThatYou · 23/02/2025 15:28

If Manchester airport is near, I’d actually consider Liverpool airport. It’s much smaller than Manchester and easier to navigate/park etc
It would be much less stress for you and probably just as easy to get to.

Original poster

woodwaj · 23/02/2025 15:28

FondantFancyFan · 23/02/2025 15:26

Ah just read that you're based in Manchester so eurostar would be an added faff for you.

Yes, not against it. Its just a bit of a faff!

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Original poster

woodwaj · 23/02/2025 15:30

Piffyca · 23/02/2025 15:24

We went last year for the first time ever, abroad.

3 autistic teens. They hated it. Spent all the time in their rooms.

Daughter has ARFID and lived off bread because the McDonalds tasted weird.

Won't ever do it again.

Oh wow, taking my hat off to you though for evening attempting that!

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ThatThisThatYou · 23/02/2025 15:30

Totally understand OP. Mallorca could work well for you. It’s a relatively short flight, lots of AI options.