greyfurt - grapefruit

öpmek - to kiss

yakın - near

yayla - plateau

farklı - different

I agree - Turkish people are very friendly to foreigners. Furthermore, with a public healthcare system that is inferior (sorry guys, but it is) to say the UK or USA, it is much more common to see *severely* handicapped (mentally and/or physically) people on the street than it is in - for example - my old hometown (I now live in Ankara - I used to live in a London suburb) where people were in homes or under suitable treatment in the majority of cases. The exception would be wheelchair users who are far more uncommon here - though that is likely to be a product of places generally being inaccessible to them (no ramps, high kerbs etc).

I know Autism is not a very *visible* disability - I am sure your kids will be met with tolerance and understanding. However, one thing you should be aware of is this: personal space in Turkey (as it tends to be as one moves East across Europe and into Asia) is smaller than you're probably used to. If your children are uncomfortable with strangers touching them then maybe reconsider...

I'm no expert on Turkey, but as a foreigner living here I hope that my alternative view helps you.

H.

koku - smell

rahat - comfortable

çöp - rubbish