Advice for first flight with 10yr old Aspergers

My son has Aspergers and we are planning our first foreign family holiday this year. His teacher mentioned how effective picture stories can be for children with ASD when facing new challenges/scenarios, and she suggested we might want one for my son to help him cope with the airport, having never been to one before. She suggested a software package that you use to create the picture story, but I wondered whether anyone else had any similar resources that they could share/point to, that might help, rather than me reinvent the wheel. Also, any strategies other parents have found have helped and also for coping with a hot environment. My son struggles in the heat and immediately feelsoverwhelmed by it. We'll be in an air-con apartment with a pool, but I'm sure there will be plenty of occasions when he will find it tough. We could just not go, but feel that's unfair on his siblings who are desperate to go and feel that they miss out on lots because of their brother. Thanks in advance for any advice anyone has.

Parents
  • I realise this post is two years old, but in case it might help someone in a similar situation in future ...

    I wonder if it would help him to "research" airports and aircraft. There are a lot of books on Amazon, from simple pop-up picture books to more technical books.  Have a look at "i-SPY At the Airport: Spy it! Score it!  "(Collins Michelin i-SPY Guides) £3.99 on Amazon (other booksellers are available.)  He can collect points and you can send off for a certificate when he reaches a thousand points. Depending on distance, maybe visit the airport in advance and go to the public viewing area and watch the planes.

     

Reply
  • I realise this post is two years old, but in case it might help someone in a similar situation in future ...

    I wonder if it would help him to "research" airports and aircraft. There are a lot of books on Amazon, from simple pop-up picture books to more technical books.  Have a look at "i-SPY At the Airport: Spy it! Score it!  "(Collins Michelin i-SPY Guides) £3.99 on Amazon (other booksellers are available.)  He can collect points and you can send off for a certificate when he reaches a thousand points. Depending on distance, maybe visit the airport in advance and go to the public viewing area and watch the planes.

     

Children
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