Teenager & public toilets

[Olbasoil]

Ds1 has Aspergers , he is now 13 . We were in London at the weekend, just the two of us , to see a show. All was well until we got back to paddington and he thought it would be best to nip to the loo before the train arrived (about 30 mins) the gents loo was miles away down some stairs and I just couldn't let him go on his own , if he got lost he would panic big time. Can we get a key for the disabled loo, is this possible? I want to give and he desperately wants independence but I just couldn't do it, should I have maybe.

yes you can get a radar key, you can get them from your local council or try fledglings website.

Thank you. It's alright to have one though isn't, or am I being over protective. I try hard not to be and fail !

olbas why not buy one, sods law once youve paid up he'll announce he's perfectly able to go to the gents alone.

I would get one for situations where you dont feel it is safe to let him go alone.

I have this concern when DP takes Dd3 swimming, she is 10 which means she cant go in the mens anymore but I hate her to be in the ladies on her own.

I was considering getting a radar key because Dd3 is refusing to enter public toilets all together atm but I might be able to get her in the disabled loo.

It is a tricky one but Aspergers is a disability, all be it invisible, I have a feeling you are worried about what other people will think. This is one of those where you have to grow a thick skin and do what is right for your Ds.

Yes I will buy a key . We did solve it by asking in a cafe upstairs in the station if he could use their disabled loo , the waiter opened it up and was very kind. I'm not embarrassed to ask but your right I do find it difficult .

I definitely think you should get a radar key. Disabled loos are needed by all kinds of people with invisible disabilities - like my Ds with OCD and my Dh with a colostomy.

BTW the disabled loos at Paddington are in the waiting area for those who need assistance to get onto the trains, before you get to the gents, and you don't need a key to use them.

Mohair ..... Mohair !!! I typed Nohaud!
Thank you for the info regards to the loos at padding ton, it's good to hear you don't need a key for those ones.

I bought a radar key for £3.50 from the Shopmobility site at our local shopping centre. There's no restrictions on who can own them I was told at the time. We need it as we have to catheterise, but when my son is mobile all his disabilities are invisable - just have to get that thick skin on if anyone questions why - or just tell them to sod off - suppose it depends on what sort of day you've had!

I bought one for DS about 7 years ago from the radar website, I listed his needs as having ASD.

It has proved really useful for such situations - he is 14 now but still a bit too vulnerable to go in the mens on his own and is scared of hand dryers so in a disabled toilet he doesn't have to worry about someone switching it on