We took the kids to Legoland outside London last week and we had a great time. We have been 3 times before so we went with high expectations and they were met and exceeded! Legoland go out of their way to welcome children with special needs, which makes such a difference (check details on their website here, make sure you bring the required documentation, i.e. a GP's letter).

Travelling through airports can be hard on everyone. My ‘Going on a Plane’ book from the Off We Go Series was well used and effective for helping us all get through security and the various queues. Full marks to Ryanair ground staff, who could see Stephen was finding it difficult to wait and invited us to the priority boarding queue free of charge.

The week before we went, my 9 year old son Michael helped make a book for Stephen. We used pictures from the internet of our hotel, car hire etc. as well as photos from our last trip to Legoland. Stephen loved reading it with us and at school and it meant he could share in the excitement of the trip.

Legoland provide a picture map of where the rides are so all the kids can point and follow to where they want to go. As long as we kept reassuring him on what was coming next, Stephen coped well. In fact, he coped so well, he did not want to come home!

There were lots of highlights of our trip – most of all we had lots of laughs. The kids enjoyed getting me up on some of the scary rollercoasters. Stephen enjoyed the driving school where he managed independently despite his fussing mother and achieved his Legoland’s driver's licence!

Travel tips:

1. Make a homemade book/set of pictures – this really helped to prepare Stephen so he knew what to expect and also to share in the excitement of our trip away.
2. Ask for help – I am not good at this, but I am learning that when you ask most people are more than willing to give you that extra bit of help.
3. Plan and praise – plan as best you can and use pictures to help communication.
4. Praise as you go along and use rewards and most of all, quit while you are ahead!

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter!
Avril