walking in Auschwitz in 2009
After a few days visit to the Health visitor in 2009, we travelled to Slovakia in my husband’s hometown in Kosice. We had to take a flight to Krakow then a long drive to Kosice. During the appointment, he had a brief assessment which includes his speech and his eating habits. He wasn’t talking then and was only eating pureed corn,carrots, and other pureed food. I had to record all his food intakes and the number of words he can speak. This got me really worried because I can’t barely think of any words that he speak which makes sense.
The flight to Krakow and drive to Slovakia went well. It was an early flight and the airports weren’t busy. Our son behaves well at long drives. He enjoyed looking at the window during the drive from Krakow to Kosice. It was a comfortable ride as well, as his Dad’s friend who drove us had a very good child’s car seat.
During our stay in Kosice, he enjoyed walking around the village with his granny. During the walks though, he was already building routines on where to walk. He threw tantrums if he doesn’t get his way. He didn’t show interest on playgrounds or even the zoo.
When his granny made him a cake as an early celebration for his 2nd birthday, he was the same. Scared of the candles and was covering his ears. He was the same on his first birthday. He was crying and screaming the whole party. I didn’t know yet about his sensory issues which make parties torture.
We stayed a day before our flight in Poland. We were able to have a visit in Auschwitz. I would say he behaved very well. He never threw a tantrum. He enjoyed walking and was more focused on the pavements. He was even well-behaved during our sight-seeing in the streets of Krakow.
The experience in Krakow airport was different. It was a very busy time at the airport. There was a bigger crowd, long queues and a lot of wait. He couldn’t stand it and had an almighty meltdown. That was the worst and longest meltdown he ever had.
Outside the box...Autism Adventures 