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Original poster

Supported holidays for adults who are autistic

38 replies

Fleurbombeury · 06/08/2023 10:12

i wondered if anyone had any experience of this?

im thinking about setting up my own business but tbh there’s no information about setting up this sort of business.

I’ve searched and searched and there’s a gap in the market as all the supported holiday companies do it for those with learning disabilities rather than those with no learning disabilities, like people like me.

none of them seem to be abta or atol protected, so I’m wondering if they just book them at the price given, rather than like a travel agent. If that’s true it would make it so much easier for me but honestly I don’t know.

has anyone got any experience of this or advice?

OP posts:
Roosmarjin · 06/08/2023 12:55

TenOhSeven · 06/08/2023 12:17

It's extremely niche OP. A relative is an autistic adult and they absolutely would not go on holiday with strangers. I'd imagine a lot of people would feel similarly.

This is how I feel. I'd happily go away with people I feel comfortable with. But not strangers

Nepmarthiturn · 06/08/2023 13:35

I definitely would not go on holiday with strangers! I can't imagine anything more exhausting than forced interaction with strangers, holidays for me are meant to be about rest and not having to make small talk or fit in with other people: an escape! But I would massively welcome a way holidays could be arranged to better meet the needs of autistic people, especially adaptions to hotels like I suggested earlier in the thread and I think there would be a market for that and many would be interested in it.

Nepmarthiturn · 06/08/2023 13:36

FuppingEll · 06/08/2023 11:38

I think a group of friendless/partnerless, autistic adults that need light support and want to go to Disney is a really niche category. I think instead of setting it up as a business you should see if anyone from the 'quite a number' of people in that category that you know wants to go on holiday with you as mates and you can support each other.

And that type of thing - if you don't have people who would be up for it - could be set up through Meetup or similar perhaps?

Victorianna58 · 15/12/2023 20:40

My son is 36 and would love to travel with other people like him who understand what it like to be autistic but not profoundly.
There are no groups out there and that's a shame.
My son would like to meet people who understand.

Victorianna58 · 15/12/2023 20:47

My son would love this.Ive been searching for such a long time as he would like to travel...with people who understand mild autism and like you said need a little help and understanding.
Thank you very much

FunHolidayAutism · 08/03/2024 14:03

Fleurbombeury · 06/08/2023 10:12

i wondered if anyone had any experience of this?

im thinking about setting up my own business but tbh there’s no information about setting up this sort of business.

I’ve searched and searched and there’s a gap in the market as all the supported holiday companies do it for those with learning disabilities rather than those with no learning disabilities, like people like me.

none of them seem to be abta or atol protected, so I’m wondering if they just book them at the price given, rather than like a travel agent. If that’s true it would make it so much easier for me but honestly I don’t know.

has anyone got any experience of this or advice?

Can anyone let me know of small travel companies that arrange bespoke trips for a few eager young autistic people to interesting places and activities. With help as required. My daughter is 31. She has only ever been away with the family and I am trying to arrange 'her own' holiday this year. Any ideas. Not good with crowds. Thank you.

Theworldismadness · 08/03/2024 14:15

I think you need to forget about being a business for now and see if you can get your own trip sorted first. That will help you see whether it is possible to upscale it.

FunHolidayAutism · 08/03/2024 14:16

Did you find holidays for your 36 year old son? I am looking for my daughter. 31. Quite capable in many ways just no concept of time. But loves to be busy. Not good with crowds. Thanks. I'm based in Gloucester.

Bunnyhair · 08/03/2024 14:21

Such an interesting idea, but as others say, a bit niche. Even if you didn’t want to make money off it, just get a supported Disney holiday out of it, here are some things to think about:

Would your target market have the money for this?
Would your market be U.K. or international (and if international, how would you provide in-person support for people coming from airports all over the world?)
If UK, is the market of potential adult autistic Disney holidaymakers big enough to recruit enough people?
How & where would you market & publicise it?
Who would organise it?
Who would do the actual in-person supporting?
Who would do the recruiting?
Who would sort the legalities of employing people?
What types of insurance would you need, for the holidaymakers and the employees?

This is all stuff to think about to research a basic business plan to see if it would be workable.

Skiphopbump · 08/03/2024 14:22

Setting up a group holiday for autistic individuals can be quite difficult if you have people like my DS. He’s autistic but finds other autistic people annoying - it’s not uncommon apparently.

AmyPeralta · 08/03/2024 14:23

Great idea. I think the organisation Asperger's Experts runs holidays for young autistic adults, but maybe only up to a certain age range

Skiphopbump · 08/03/2024 14:25

The person organising this type of trips needs to be very confident travelling themselves and in meeting the needs of others.

Artemi · 08/03/2024 15:15

Roosmarjin · 06/08/2023 12:55

This is how I feel. I'd happily go away with people I feel comfortable with. But not strangers

Show quote history

Absolutely. I appreciate it's well meant, but OP, this is my idea of hell.

I've done adult activity holidays (so everything is all organised) and I'm a sporty person so I enjoy eg skiing, windsurfing, paid extra for a private room and brought a book +/- headphones to meals to avoid socialising

People might think I'm an antisocial weirdo but I had a great time

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