Primary school auties thread 9 - spring / summer 2022.

[danni0509]

Thread 9.

Links to previous threads below.

For the parents / carers of children with additional needs, most of us have asd / adhd children in primary school, but anybody is welcome to join us to chat x

Thread 1
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3080753-DS-with-ASD-starting-school-Sept-2018-I-am-feeling-overwhelmed

Thread 2
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3451020-Reception-auties-2018-19-thread-2

Thread 3
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3628263-Auties-transition-to-Year-1-thread-3

Thread 4
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3748449-Primary-school-Auties-into-2020-thread-4

Thread 5
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/3953023-Primary-school-auties-summer-and-beyond-thread-5?pg=1

Thread 6
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/4166833-Primary-school-auties-spring-2021-and-beyond-thread-6?pg=1

Thread 7
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/4303826-Primary-school-auties-summer-and-the-new-academic-year-thread-7

Thread 8
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/4422100-Primary-school-auties-step-into-Christmas-and-the-New-Year-thread-8

carrie if you’re able, book seats with extra legroom. If there are any empty seats, ask if you can move behind them. How long is your flight?

I think there are two aspects. It’s probably annoying when it happens but people are often more annoyed by oblivious parents who don’t attempt to stop it. Make sure you take some distractions for him. Good luck.

I absolutely would take advantage of a lanyard and priority boarding etc.

Last time we took ds on holiday was the summer before covid, he was 5 and a half and was awful on the plane and on holiday. He kept shouting FUCKING on the plane and in the pool top of his voice, I had to keep putting my hand over his mouth it was so embarrassing, drew loads of attention to us being feral, spitting and hitting everyone, had horrendous meltdowns every time he didn’t get his own way or had to get out of the pool. He was throwing food in the restaurant at every meal. He was trying to hit toddlers and babies in the kids pool. Pushed a toddler off the slide and she banged her head. Was not a pleasant experience at all!! I was so glad to get home.

Im not exactly looking forward to this one that would be going a bit far 🤣 but i don’t think it will go as badly behaviour wise, we go in 3 weeks.

He does understand a lot more compared to the holiday 3 years ago, can be threatened etc. Does as his told a bit better. And his behaviour over the last couple of months has improved a little. All as long as he’s micro managed. So we will see.

Ds has had another good day at school, they said it’s like having a different child. He got another postcard home today! 🤣🤣 2 in a week!

danni I remember you saying ‘never again’ after that holiday…

And well done ds!

Ds had a better time at school this morning. Only there an hour and a quarter but calm and did some maths with his teacher.

I might told you about last time I was on a plane. It was to Australia which I guess no-one would ever expect to be easy. My Mum, sister and I went with DS2 DN x 2 3 and DN5. DN5 had a night terror on the flight, he was screaming his head off in the darkened cabin where most people were sleeping. A lady sitting in the row behind him, stood up and hit him on the head. Fun times! It can't be as bad as that Carrie and Danni! Where did you go Light?

dimples that’s terrible, who does that? Did they get into trouble? They should have done.

It’s 4.5 hours Open. Canaries.

OMG dimples you were brave!!! Australia?!!!! 🫣🫣🫣. I’m hyperventilating over Canaries!!!

danni am sure you will have a lovely time!!!

As flights seem to seat 3 then the aisle I have actually booked 3 then rather than one over the aisle one in front of the inside seat. I’m thinking DD by window then me then dS on aisle then DH getting kicked in front of DS!!! I just hope DS doesn’t help himself to duty free every time an air hostess passes him…..!

That sounds perfect 🤞

DS was a lot easier when he was 2. He couldn't walk or crawl on the outbound flight so that was easier - he learnt in Australia so the flight home was more of a challenge!

The 'lady' who hit my nephew was moved but that was about it.

That's a really good idea putting DH in front of DS @carriebradshawwithlessshoes .

On the way out I did e-mail the airport in advance and they offered to walk us through security - but in the end it was only medium busy so we just walked through normally (but we went to the queue where the head of security was working, which he suggested we do, so he knew we were coming and was able to help). We also got a sunflower lanyard for DD at the information desk. Luckily she is basically happy to wear it (sort of over her shoulders as she doesn't like the feel of it on her neck!)

On the way back we just had the lanyard, and I don't know if they have the same scheme in France so not sure if it made a difference. However, it was a tiny airport and ours was the only fight going through, so it was all very quiet. Plus there were plants by security which DD loved and really calmed her down I think! When DD was little we didn't use the lanyard but then I'd just have to tell people mid melt-down which was worse - so this time I actually got my act in gear and told them in advance, at least for the way out.

We are flying again in August (Heathrow - gargh!!) so I need to have a look and see what kind of SEN support they have and should probably let them know in advance too.

That's a nightmare re: the hitting @dimples76 ! I can't believe it!! What adult hits a child??? Hardly DN's fault if he had a night terror! I'm glad she got moved but what an awful person.

Hopefully your flight will go OK @danni0509 . Once you're on the plane would he sit with a screen or does he get bored quickly? My two are basically totally absorbed by a screen once they are settled in, so it's just moving them around the airport that's stressful.

Thanks Light. I think what’s adding to my anxiety is the current horror stories about flights… hours in airport, then 4 hours sitting on a plane before it takes off and so on! DS would not tolerate that, with a screen or otherwise. Sounds like you were ok?? I assume that was out of London? Our usual departure airports are Manchester which has been awful or this time Leeds which is pretty bad too. I’m hoping as we are taking advantage of the very last week of school hols in aug that everyone is coming home just as we are going!!!! 🤣

Yes we were OK but were flying from LCY which is pretty quiet on weekends (and in any case small). But even there we had friends flying back to there on Sunday whose flight was delayed 2 hours and then diverted en route to Stansted, so they didn't get home until 1am...

I'm hoping by the summer holidays they will be able to get their act together (either cancelling flights or hiring more staff).

Actually, we were delayed 90 minutes outbound due to staff shortages. But at least we knew the night before that was likely to be the case (annoyingly they said to turn up at the airport on time anyway). We bought breakfast at the airport which filled some of the time, and otherwise used screens and watching the other planes come in and leave - but I know that doesn't work for all kids.

Ask your airline for special assistance, easyjet were really good with us in the past. Straight to front of queues, priority boarding, no waiting at passport control on way back etc. Sunflower lanyard also a must. Not a problem for us this year due to flight cancellations but managed to book somewhere in UK instead that hasn't cost an absolute fortune so phew!!
Got up to watch the sunrise this morning. Shattered now but totally worth it.

Flight is 6am so need to be there for 4 so he (and us) will be knackered. He’s ok in airports etc it’s more when confined to a seat for long periods!!!

Weather glorious at the moment, I wouldn’t go away if I could guarantee this!!!

The thought of flying with ds fills me with dread tbh, which is why we haven't yet. We'd have to trial using the shortest flight possible!

But definitely not until they've got their act together.

DS just got sent home with suspected chicken pox. Wednesday is my day off and DD were just about to have a picnic in the park when the call came so DD is raging. Feeling a bit sorry for myself@

Hope he’s not poorly dimples. I have to say it’s something that with 2 kids is imposs for the second one not to get when one has had it. Unless you lock them in separate rooms for the duration!

Likewise, dimples, I hope ds is not too poorly.

Hope he’s ok with chicken pox dimples.

I had ds annual review today, it went really well, his 2 teachers are really pleased with him. They said he’s gone from being the worst behaved in the class, to the best behaved!!!!

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 how funny!!!!

His teacher said. A child was hitting another child yesterday and ds was like erm excuse me x what do you think your doing? Then starting counting down from 5 to him and telling him to think about his actions and to make the right choice! 😂

His teacher said that last annual review to this one he can’t believe they are talking about the same child.

I think it’s totally mental, how he can go from terrorising the staff on a daily basis for a full year of being there, to being perfectly behaved literally after going back after half term.

Hes no longer on 1-1 in school, apart from leaving school to and from the taxi and any community trips where he’ll still have 1-1.

He’s 8 kids to 2 adults now, so 4 kids to 1 adult, that changes come September to 6 kids to 1 adult. He’s spending the full 4 hours a day he does with his class now too rather than being segregated in his own room as before.

Im so pleased!!!!!

100% his medications. X

That's amazing danni! Well done to your ds!

I hope he's not too sick dimples.

I have ds's annual review tomorrow.

Oh and some other things, he hated attention autism, they do it every morning for 15/20 minutes to work on their attention and listening skills. Ds for nearly a year wouldn’t sit and take part, he cried because he doesn’t like the singing etc, so they had to take him out, but for the last month he’s sat and enjoyed it every session.

He wouldn’t go on the trampoline at school for rebound therapy, hated it. He’s doing that twice a week with no issues.

He wouldn’t go on the big field, he said it was too noisy and busy but he’s out on there with his class every dinner time now playing cricket and all the games they do.

I am so impressed. I have sent CAMHS an email to say thanks for changing his medications! 🤣

Oh that's such fantastic news, Danni!

Good luck tomorrow Liv

DS has gone downhill this afternoon and just asked me if he is dying.