Where have you had a relaxing holiday with your ASD kids?

[Novacane]

See my thread in holidays section.....

we can't decide where to go

any ideas more than welcome...

[Novacane]

In late summer, in the late holidays or sept, depending on price...

[Blossomhill]

Don't laugh but we found Butlins really good. Infact there seemed to be lots of children with sn there!
Dd is much better now and we have been abroard for first time last year and that was fine. Disneyland Paris was great as you get exit passes but not so relaxing!!!!!

[TallulahToo]

Keycamp - Eurocamp - Frenchlife. Always! Choose a smallish site and a large caravan or lodge. Lots of them have kids activities and they all have lovely wine and food and safe outdoor space. You could even try two centres to travel further south. And you can easily afford it within your budget.

My DS loves to try the new language and food. So long as there's a pool somewhere (usually safely fenced in), they're happy. Plus side is no waiting around in airports as the holiday starts from getting into the car.

We've done it for the last few years and thoroughly enjoyed it but are actually looking for something else this year too.

[Phoenix4725]

i ind its not so much where its when ,found the main school holidays everything became to much for my ds ,so we now go before or after schools not like to much but they get told like it or lump it

[HelensMelons]

Holidays - an interesting one!!

Last year we didn't go anywhere coz of the rubbish weather.

This year, we are taking the dc's out of school a few days early and doing as Tallulah suggests. It's the first time but friends went last year and they have a dc with an asd and it seemed excellent!

A couple of years ago we also went and stayed (they have mobile's that you rent) on a site that was also a farm. The dc's loved it! They got to feed some of the animals each morning and evening, if they wanted to!. It was the first time DP and I ever relaxed on a holiday - we actually managed to have a coffee whilst they fed the animals in the shed opposite the coffee place! It was lovely!!

[BONKERZ]

we also find butlins brilliant for DS! Its hardly relaxing though! DS likes the fact that everything is timetabled and runs on time! he can plan his day to the nearest minute! We normally schedule in a rest period too which is when he gets to watch tv or read a book and dh and i generally nap!
we tried haven last year but the scheduled things did not run on time which caused chaos!

[silverfrog]

we try as hard as possible to keep a similar routine to home, and that is what gets dd1 through holidays.

So we go self catering (which I have has a hard time accepting, but it really is easier than trying to find stuff she can eat in restaurants/cafes) and factor in a rest after lunch as her downtime (which she has at home) and so far we have been lucky.

We have been to Centre Parks, Portugal (rented a villa, which was great as nice and rural, had good pool etc), and last year went to California, again self catering.

I have found that if I keep dd1's food and sleep routine the same as at home (so same food - she was having spag bol and curry even in the heat of California last year!) then she is usually quite happy.

We are currently planning this year's holiday - dh wants to go to Australia ! think we've found a good place ot stay (we have to cater for NT teenagers as well as ASD dd1 and toddler dd2) so it's "just" the flight we have to plan!

Have been to Butlins and Haven pre-dd1, and I think they would suit her well on the predictability aspect - they are laces that you can book and go back to, and the rooms are similar, etc. that is the principle we work on now with holidays - most self catering places are similar enough for dd1 to accept.

[jenk1]

Have been to Butlins and Haven but our DC,s didnt like it,it was too busy for them.

For the past few years we,ve been to lanzarote, its a big family friendly hotel with a schedule for kids activities,2 massive pools and its opposite the beach, the kids love just going in the pool and then choosing what activities they want to do.

not going this year tho as DH has lost his job so DREADING the summer holidays,will prob do a few days out.

[Geri2]

I can't think of the name of this place - or even what area it's in - not much help! Think it's called the, 'Thoman Centre'?
A friend of mine has been there with her Son and the rest of the family a few times. I can find out more if you're interested..

[Peachy]

We werelooking at abroad this year but ds1 was alred starting to fret and I was about to come online to ask for translations of I am sorry, he is autistic to laminate and though ah sod it, we'' go camping again.

We find camping good as its the same tent wherever you go: however if you have a really cunning bolter probably not so great. DS3 sleeopswith ds2 when we re awy which has been OK up until now

The best site we go to in terms of help is Sandy balls where they moved our entire tent to be near disabled facillities (immaculate) when ds3 ytook a dislike to the other toilets and could not be forced in and was wetting instead

[Novacane]

Hey thanks for all the fab ideas! I have been a bit busy the last few days, but have looked at them all and it has given me something to think about. Am going to try sit down tomorrow night and make a decision!

[Novacane]

I've had enough of looking, and booked centre parcs for this weekend!!

We deserve a break!

[kettlechip]

I love Center Parcs, it's really well thought out for children, and fairly quiet at this time of year. We're going in a couple of weeks for a mid week break.

Another vote for Eurocamp too. We got one of the premier caravan things with enclosed decking and it worked well for us. Lots of eating outside, swimming and walks.