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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

holiday in zakynthos

13 replies

dizzyone · 13/09/2004 10:32

Hi - new to mumsnet and very new to using a computer so hope i am doing this right!! We are going to the Greek island of Zakynthos in couple of weeks time with our children who have never been on an aeroplane before. dd3 has ASD and i was wondering if anyone has any ideas of making the journey as easy as possible.

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Blu · 13/09/2004 10:39

hello Dizzyzone, and a big welcome to MN!
I have no experience of ASD, but have taken Ds on planes lots of times. How old is your dd3?

Original poster

dizzyone · 13/09/2004 11:05

thank you blu - dd3 is 9. we have been talking aout the airport and showing pictures, so she is getting the idea of what it will be like.

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onlyjoking9329 · 13/09/2004 22:32

well we have been on planes eight times now with our three who all have asd, we used tots tv video where they go on a plane, only probs we have had are the steps up to the plane, they are open tread and my two girls don't do that sort of step! so we got on plane first before the rush, and the toilets, way too small to change a solid six year old and the flush on the loo is very very loud so i take child from loo then go back and flush, other than that no problems.

onlyjoking9329 · 13/09/2004 22:33

of course i meant a soiled six year old!

Original poster

dizzyone · 14/09/2004 08:27

Glad you mentioned the loud loo - that would diffinately be a problem. I have pre-booked the seats so hope we can get on last. Now feel a bit more confident with the journey - thank you

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heartinthecountry · 14/09/2004 17:57

Hi dizzyone - have you spoken to the airline about your dd3 having ASD? I would inform them and ask if there is anything that can be done to make it easier for you e.g boarding before everyone else (or after if that would work better for you). Most airlines, will I think, be helpful. I would also notify the staff at the gate aswell. Sure you've thought of all of this.

Welcome to mumsnet!

Original poster

dizzyone · 14/09/2004 20:16

thanks heartinthecountry, I am pleased to have replies, I have never done anything like this before! I was thinking of phoning the airline just in case there are any problems, will do that in the next day or so.

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onlyjoking9329 · 14/09/2004 20:51

it may be worth taking food on board with you too, just snack type stuff as the food may not be to your childs liking, we have done pre boarding which was good cos there were no queues did it in our own time but, you will then have quite a wait before you take off but it will give the kids time to get used to it before everyone else boards, you can go on last but we found this harder, lots of poeple already on the plane getting in the way, my kids found that harder, but you know how your child will be with that, i am sure you will have a great trip, let us know how you get on.

InternationalGirl · 14/09/2004 22:41

Hi dizzyone - Welcome to mumsnet!
Definitely good advice about the loud loos and boarding. We traveled 26 hours (3 flights) with our daughters - a 9 yr old with no trouble and a 3 1/2 yr old with ASD who was non-verbal with almost no communication. We put together little activity bags for the kids with coloring book and crayons, stickers, books to look at which were a nice surprise for the trip. The little one enjoyed the stickers the most and by the end of the trip her food tray was covered in stickers. If there is something she enjoys - try to take it if you think it'll catch her attention even for a little while.

Original poster

dizzyone · 14/09/2004 22:54

ds1, dd2 and dd3 have all given me their snack food orders for the plane, dont think my bag will be big enough to hold it all though dd3 loves her harry potter lego figures so will be taking them, doesnt have much interest in anything else apart from ds1's gameboy. not sure if that can be used on a plane?

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KristinaM · 14/09/2004 23:35

Noting to add on the journey tips. But my sister lives on Zakynthos (her husband is Greek) so if you have any specific questiosn I coudl email her for you. She has no kids though so might not be very clued up about some things IYSWIM

onlyjoking9329 · 15/09/2004 16:07

yep you can take gameboy on plane and in airport, thank goodness it kept my boy busy.

Original poster

dizzyone · 16/09/2004 00:03

lovely offer KristinaM, I think we will just be staying at the hotel beach (very small and quiet) most of the time, see how it goes from there. Pleased about the gameboy, that will help. Have spoken to the tour operator today - they were very helpful and said if we book in early as poss we can have the front seats which are reserved for any sn passengers and can choose when we board. Am now looking forward to next week when we go

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