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Original poster

Off on hols - let the hand dryer nightmare commence

16 replies

frizzcat · 12/08/2011 17:18

Off on hols tomorrow - ds is beside himself with excitement, he loves to travel. I on the other hand an buried deep in packing and ironing oh yeah the anxiety of public toilet handryers! He doesnt mind the quiet ones but the Dyson ones are a nightmare. So we have the build up of going to the loo and I can see the stress and the fear - then we getin there and he keeps his hand to his ear saying loudly it's too loud - que all the other sods staring and the que stressed irratated me.
So I am leaving with three different types of ear plugs, and I've explained we will put them in when we go to the toilet. So if you see a stressed mum and ds at a service station - that will be me!
Anyone else jumped and cleared this hurdle?

OP posts:
Ineedalife · 12/08/2011 17:26

Can you not use the disabled toilets [if available] and not use the dryer??

That is what we used to do with Dd3, she can just about cope now at 8 but will usually avoid going into public loos if she can possible wait.

I know its abit late for this holiday but you can get a radar key from the council to let you use the locked disabled loos. A sensory difficulty is an invisible disability and you are allowed to use the disabled loos.

Good luck Smile.

TheTimeTravellersWife · 12/08/2011 17:55

You have my sympathy. DD is just the same, screams like mad when we use the hand dryer; putting her hands over her ears makes it rather hard to get them dry! Smile I have given up and keep a small towel handy.

TooOrangeyForCrows · 12/08/2011 17:56

I don't know if this is true, but I was told about someone who made laminated "out of Order" signs, to put on the hand driers whenever she took her ASD child in..... anyone heard of this?

Best of British....

Have a great holiday!

WhoWhoWhoWho · 12/08/2011 18:00

I feel your pain, DS is terrified of these too. Also roadworks, fire/ security alarms, sirens, etc. Hmm

For avoidance of handriers (and to change him), we use the disabled loos whenever possible. When we use the public loos I rush him out then whip out the hand sanitiser from my bag, and I have actually urgently shouted "STOP" at a woman once as she raised her hand to the drier, then sheepishly said "please ket us go out before you turn that on, my son is terrified of them". The things we do eh! Hmm

Enjoy your holiday! Grin

nibsy · 12/08/2011 18:03

Hi, I have this problem too. I use the disabled toilet with my DS and use the antibacterial gel stuff rather than force him to wash his hands. Even in the disabled loos where we can avoid the sound of the driers he gets so stressed he just wants to pee and run.

Not much help but have a great holiday!

signandsmile · 12/08/2011 18:06

we end up with compromise at the moment,, (he is still little). i hold his ears and he holds his willy Grin.

coff33pot · 12/08/2011 18:51

Have a good time! Grin

I keep baby wipes/hand wipes in bag and also antibacterial gel. We get in there get the job done and washed up before we open the loo door and run for it! Grin

Original poster
frizzcat · 12/08/2011 18:52

Cheers everyone - I should have said that I don't make him dry his hands and I have a 5mth dd, so the disabled toilet is where we normally go. This is my last big noise taboo - he used to have a real problem with motorbikes but these has disappeared with age. I am so hoping this one does!

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Original poster
frizzcat · 12/08/2011 18:53

Always the cold glass of wine at the end of the journey to look forward to!

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lisad123 · 12/08/2011 19:01

Dd1 is 8 years old mow and still uses tissues rather than incur the noise of a hand dryer. We tend to wash and dry quickly

WilsonFrickett · 12/08/2011 20:02

We do tissues too. But then DS tries to put them in the sanitary dispenser. So we have to wash our hands again...

Grin at laminated cards though, that's a fab idea. Our worst experience was in Florida last year, a lot of toilets there have automatic flushes, so as soon as you stand up there is an almighty 'woosh' sound. That plus the hand dryers - fun toilet trips!

Actually, can I ask what people generally feel about using the disabled toilets? DS is getting to the age when I need to start thinking about sending him in on his own, but that would mean always using the disabled loos I think. Do you get catsbumface in RL when you do this?

Original poster
frizzcat · 12/08/2011 21:22

Lisad123 - can dd cope with noise so long as she doesn't have to use - cause that would be dandy!

Btw everyone dh is heading fir divorce just sat himself down with a beer to watch QI and im running round like a headless chicken - think all dh's are SN! off to read the riot act

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lisad123 · 12/08/2011 21:28

dd1 can manage it if shes not too close, but dd2 hates it completely

chuckeyegg · 12/08/2011 21:41

Off to make some laminted signs that's a superb idea.

lisad123 · 12/08/2011 21:43

dont forget the bluetac Grin

Original poster
frizzcat · 12/08/2011 22:39

No use superglue more permanent :o

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