Re: I am looking for tips to make an overnight trip go smoothly ---> :0

[Guest guest]

I'd say, just try to stay calm. Ask HIM what he feels he needs to bring along.

We always brought a small tv from one of our rooms and a vcr/dvd player along, so that he could watch, just like he would have.

Also,,,,any games that he'd normally play (video or otherwise).

Most importantly,,,,,,,let him try to get excited.........but in the end,,,,,,if he freaks out, let him know you understand and that you're proud of how long he "lasted" and that you'll be home soon. Oh - and don't get ticked if you gotta cut out early.......that's our lives.

Good luck.Robin

From: T <juice00000@...>Subject: ( ) I am looking for tips to make an overnight trip go smoothly ---> :0 Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 4:43 PM

This will be our first time staying overnight in a hotel. This will be after a 4 hour drive, then a wedding and reception. My son very much needs to sleep in his own bed. I am planning on bringing everything I can think of from home to help. He should be fine in the car; he's been on 2 hour trips ok and really likes being in the car so I think that part should be fine.I am thinking picture cards of the whole trip, but I am no artist...also how to explain the wedding? That people will be in the front of the room talking, we'll be quiet, clap when everyone else does, go to dinner, then a party with dancing, then go sleep in a new bed that is not at home??Ugh, I should be looking forward to this joyous occasion, but am starting to have severe anxiety thinking about it. It's on 4/11. Help!TJ

[Guest guest]

>

> This will be our first time staying overnight in a hotel. This will be after a

4 hour drive, then a wedding and reception.

Thinking of our first time(s)... I took plenty of his toys and favorite foods

to keep him occupied. I followed his lead as to when he needed toys, food or a

change of scenery. I was prepared to be by his side rather than necessarily

doing what all the other people were doing. When I went to things like weddings

and receptions when my aspie was young, I placed myself so we could go in and

out of the room or make a little noise with as little disruption to other people

as possible. If you are close to the wedding party and would ordinarily be

seated in the first rows, make sure you let them know you will be sitting

towards the back, side wherever is convenient to a door. This may be your time

to start making decisions on whether you are going to do what is best for your

child or what the vainer members of your family or circle of friends would like

you to be doing. You will soon be finding out the true character of friends and

family as you see how they deal with your child's disabilities or don't. It is

quite an experience, some good and some bad.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

I am adopted, and my first airplane ride was coming to America at the age of 6 months. (My parents met me at the airport..)I am 19 and have been diagnosed with Asperger's at age 15, and am finishing my year at boarding school. For me, my parents went on planes and traveled even before I was old enough to remember the trips on my own, that is without anyone telling me about the trip. Maybe you can show him pictures online of a wedding. Will there be other children his age? Ask him what his thoughts are. Don't tell him what to feel, but tell him how he might be able to manage those feelings while at the wedding. So for me, I have slept in all kinds of beds. Asperger's or not, we all might have trouble sleeping on certain mattresses, trouble sleeping in different environments. One thing is, if early enough, get one of those inflatable

mattresses like the Aero Bed. So you can take it with you.I don't know what type of lodging you'll be in, but think of what he likes. For me, i have always liked breakfast so usually, i am one of the first people there. (My dad is not much of a morning person but my mom was.) As long as there are doughnuts or muffins, i go.If he likes the pool, there might be a pool. See if the place of lodging has pictures. If possible, go to some good friends of yours who have double beds (i have never been to a hotel with a twin bed) and let him get used to sleeping on different beds. I don't have a back problem so mattresses are not a problem for me. As long as my dad and I don't have to share a bed, I am fine with traveling with him.Sincerely, A. WongFrom: T <juice00000@...>Subject: ( ) I am looking for tips to make an overnight trip go smoothly ---> :0 Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 5:43 PM

This will be our first time staying overnight in a hotel. This will be after a 4 hour drive, then a wedding and reception. My son very much needs to sleep in his own bed. I am planning on bringing everything I can think of from home to help. He should be fine in the car; he's been on 2 hour trips ok and really likes being in the car so I think that part should be fine.

I am thinking picture cards of the whole trip, but I am no artist...also how to explain the wedding? That people will be in the front of the room talking, we'll be quiet, clap when everyone else does, go to dinner, then a party with dancing, then go sleep in a new bed that is not at home??

Ugh, I should be looking forward to this joyous occasion, but am starting to have severe anxiety thinking about it.

It's on 4/11.

Help!

TJ

[Guest guest]

You could write a social story. I used to take pictures and use a small photo album - those $2 plastic sleeved ones from Walmart that are 4 x 6 size or something like that. Then I could slide photo's in or slide sentences in. Later, you can take them out and reuse. But it's a great way to introduce all the concepts to him - sleeping in a new place, eating out, going to church, etc.

Roxanna

The government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.And if it stops moving, subsidize it. Reagan

( ) I am looking for tips to make an overnight trip go smoothly ---> :0

This will be our first time staying overnight in a hotel. This will be after a 4 hour drive, then a wedding and reception. My son very much needs to sleep in his own bed. I am planning on bringing everything I can think of from home to help. He should be fine in the car; he's been on 2 hour trips ok and really likes being in the car so I think that part should be fine.I am thinking picture cards of the whole trip, but I am no artist...also how to explain the wedding? That people will be in the front of the room talking, we'll be quiet, clap when everyone else does, go to dinner, then a party with dancing, then go sleep in a new bed that is not at home??Ugh, I should be looking forward to this joyous occasion, but am starting to have severe anxiety thinking about it. It's on 4/11. Help!TJ

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.32/2030 - Release Date: 03/30/09 08:40:00

[Guest guest]

Yep, we must live parallel lives, Robin. lol. We used to take along the small tv and game system o' the day. Now we are lugging laptops and ipods. But at least they can lug their own stuff now. <g>

Roxanna

The government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.And if it stops moving, subsidize it. Reagan

( ) I am looking for tips to make an overnight trip go smoothly ---> :0 Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 4:43 PM

This will be our first time staying overnight in a hotel. This will be after a 4 hour drive, then a wedding and reception. My son very much needs to sleep in his own bed. I am planning on bringing everything I can think of from home to help. He should be fine in the car; he's been on 2 hour trips ok and really likes being in the car so I think that part should be fine.I am thinking picture cards of the whole trip, but I am no artist...also how to explain the wedding? That people will be in the front of the room talking, we'll be quiet, clap when everyone else does, go to dinner, then a party with dancing, then go sleep in a new bed that is not at home??Ugh, I should be looking forward to this joyous occasion, but am starting to have severe anxiety thinking about it. It's on 4/11. Help!TJ

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.32/2030 - Release Date: 03/30/09 08:40:00

[Guest guest]

Exactly.......it doesn't SEEM as bad now that they can all carry their own stuff. he he

From: T <juice00000msn (DOT) com>Subject: ( ) I am looking for tips to make an overnight trip go smoothly ---> :0 Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 4:43 PM

This will be our first time staying overnight in a hotel. This will be after a 4 hour drive, then a wedding and reception. My son very much needs to sleep in his own bed. I am planning on bringing everything I can think of from home to help. He should be fine in the car; he's been on 2 hour trips ok and really likes being in the car so I think that part should be fine.I am thinking picture cards of the whole trip, but I am no artist...also how to explain the wedding? That people will be in the front of the room talking, we'll be quiet, clap when everyone else does, go to dinner, then a party with dancing, then go sleep in a new bed that is not at home??Ugh, I should be looking forward to this joyous occasion, but am starting to have severe anxiety thinking about it. It's on 4/11. Help!TJ

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.32/2030 - Release Date: 03/30/09 08:40:00

[Guest guest]

Thanks everyone for your ideas. I will probably try most of everything! In

hindsight, getting him the cool 'Lightning McQueen' bed to get him out of the

crib was not that great of an idea, since nowhere we go will have anything close

to resembling his 'cool bed'. I should've gotten just a plain normal bed...

So I will be busy making social stories, packing up 1/2 the house to bring with

, and I think he would really like making cheerios necklaces, so I need to

pick up some shoelaces.

I am used to having to get up and walk around with him. And used to having to

leave events early, but in this case I'm hoping he'll make it through and be

good and tired for bed-time.

TJ

>

> You could write a social story. I used to take pictures and use a small photo

album - those $2 plastic sleeved ones from Walmart that are 4 x 6 size or

something like that. Then I could slide photo's in or slide sentences in.

Later, you can take them out and reuse. But it's a great way to introduce all

the concepts to him - sleeping in a new place, eating out, going to church, etc.

>

> Roxanna

>

> The government's view of the economy

> could be summed up in a few short phrases:

> If it moves, tax it.

> If it keeps moving, regulate it.

> And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

> Reagan

> ( ) I am looking for tips to make an overnight trip

go smoothly ---> :0

>

>

> This will be our first time staying overnight in a hotel. This will be after

a 4 hour drive, then a wedding and reception. My son very much needs to sleep in

his own bed. I am planning on bringing everything I can think of from home to

help. He should be fine in the car; he's been on 2 hour trips ok and really

likes being in the car so I think that part should be fine.

> I am thinking picture cards of the whole trip, but I am no artist...also how

to explain the wedding? That people will be in the front of the room talking,

we'll be quiet, clap when everyone else does, go to dinner, then a party with

dancing, then go sleep in a new bed that is not at home??

> Ugh, I should be looking forward to this joyous occasion, but am starting to

have severe anxiety thinking about it.

> It's on 4/11.

> Help!

> TJ

>

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.32/2030 - Release Date: 03/30/09

08:40:00

>