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Original poster

Can EVERYONE going on holiday this year please do me a favour

62 replies

Jimjams2 · 21/07/2006 14:34

and

1)Check whether the doors to your holiday accomodation can be locked with removable keys

2)whether windows (especially bedroom windows) can be locked- again preferably with removable keys

3)(not so important) but does it have an enclosed outdoor space- if it has a lockable outdoor space with fencing too high to climb over it gets 5 stars

  1. If it has a pool, then what sorts of things are in place to prevent access to the pool (lockable doors with removeable keys in the accomodation would be enough)

Thank you. Lots of families can't go on holiday because they don't know whether the accomodation will be safe for them when they arrive. I was thinking of putting together a bit of a database as a starting point.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jimjams2 · 22/07/2006 22:34

oh he's quite capable of being dry. He's wetting on purpose (or more precisely because its a routine- get into bed strip off, wet bed, wake up - in night or morning, - wet bed, get up!) He was dry for about 18 months before starting that one. I need to put him in some cothes he can't remove to break the cycle - but then he wakes up screaming in the middle of the night as he can't strip off and I haven;t had the energy to do it. Plus its too hot atm. MUST sort it before we go anywhere though.

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Original poster
Jimjams2 · 22/07/2006 22:37

I've seen an article on campmohawk. It looks excellent for HFA/moderate autism, but all way more high functioning thatn ds1.

There is the calvert trust as well . A friend went there with her son who is very like ds1 and said it was excellent so we will try it one day. I'll ask her about the lock situaiton when we go back to school in Sept. It comes highly recomended though.

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saggarmakersbottomknocker · 23/07/2006 12:07

Bumping

nikkie · 23/07/2006 19:57

My school(SN) often visits the Calvert trust , my class went earlier this year but i didn't go, if anyone wants any info I can ask colleagues though?

bubblerock · 23/07/2006 20:13

Is there not a website with information like this on it?

expatinscotland · 23/07/2006 20:17

bump for kids-in-bed crowd.

Original poster
Jimjams2 · 23/07/2006 22:23

Not as far as I know bubblerock, but if anyone knows differently would love the link!

Earlier in the year we thought about booking up for Scotland this summer (had an event to attend), but couldn't get this sort of info so couldn't risk going. I was peering at photos in borchures noticing that the windows opened from the bottom up (so a no go) etc but no-one photographs the front door!

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HRHQueenOfQuotes · 23/07/2006 22:34

we're off to Zimbabwe in 3 1/2 weeks time - doubt the hotel we've booked will meet up to those standard (only a cheapy one - even by Zim standards) but I'll check for you

bubblerock · 23/07/2006 22:37

JimJams - I have a website you can have if you want it to use for this (it's free).

hulababy · 23/07/2006 22:40

We went to a villa in Florida, near the Disney parks.

  1. Outside door lockable with key.

  2. Don't think windows were lockable ones, although not 100% sure

  3. Only enclosed outdoor space was the pool area, which was surrounded by meshing type screen. But obviously the pool would be a concern here.

  4. Pool was accessible by the patio doors. Lockable door. Key was removeable. Also alarmed.

Original poster
Jimjams2 · 23/07/2006 22:44

Thanks all (and bubblerock - that would be great).

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bubblerock · 23/07/2006 22:50

Here's a rough outline - I can add whatever you want to it and then pass it over to you with all the passwords and a simple guide to updating it if you need help etc...

My email is [email protected] I really don't mind helping you get it up and running (sorry about the name - I bought the domain a while ago for family tree stuff research but didn't bother doing the site)

bubblerock · 24/07/2006 22:04

bump

bettythebuilder · 24/07/2006 22:51

Blimey, bubblerock, I've just clicked on the link out of sheer bloody noseyness, and that's great! Have you done all that already? Fantastic!

Original poster
Jimjams2 · 24/07/2006 22:56

Bloody hell bubblerock that is amazing!!! Wow, I missed that earlier. I know Davros can recommend a villa. Oh and there is somewhere in Spain that advertises itself for autistic families I will look up.
For non runners, and children who can cope with compost toilets and a warm welcome I'd recommend yurtworks We took the younger 2 and there was no problem with ds1 visiting for a few hours. Also very private so no problem if your family is noisy. No cars, so safe from that pov, although an occasional electric fence.....

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thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 24/07/2006 22:57

just been on holiday and I have no idea if we ever locked the place up when were out. certainly never locked it up at night. none of the windows locked. the outdoor space was not remotely lockable and certainly did not have fences too high to climb. in actual fact on the day we left some cows found their way into the garden. The pool, however, was walled and lockable with a removable key that lived on a ledge above the gate out of the reach of small people. It was very remote and for me, the joy of not worrying about security is part of a holiday.

Original poster
Jimjams2 · 24/07/2006 23:00

It's not security hat, it's the problem of having a child with no concept of safety escaping from the holiday accomodation. We need lockable (from the inside) doors or one of us cannot leave ds1's side for one minute, and we would worry about him getting out at night. Nothing to do with security in the conventional sense at all, not worried about people getting in worried about ds1 getting out.

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thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 24/07/2006 23:00

jimjams - I only read your first post - totally didn't get it - then I read on and see why you are asking. sorry

Original poster
Jimjams2 · 24/07/2006 23:01

ds1 climbs or moves chairs to open bolts which is why keys need to be removeable.

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thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 24/07/2006 23:01

cross-posted!

Original poster
Jimjams2 · 24/07/2006 23:02

No problem hat. I remember flicking tv channels and turned over just as a dad was answering the front door, It had a bunch of locks and keys, and took ages to open and I thought "hey ho recognise this must be about autism" (it was).

OP posts:
Mercy · 24/07/2006 23:51

Was about to suggest Sandyballs, New Forest, but they don't have an enclosed outdoor area. is there something like a houseswap site with a family in a similar/younger kids situation?

Excellent idea btw

soapbox · 24/07/2006 23:58

Jimjams - our house meets all those requirements, but doesn't have a pool.

I'm sure we could find the odd weekend when we are away that you could have use of the place.

So please don't hesitate to ask

soapbox · 25/07/2006 00:00

WOW - Bubblerock - that is fantastic

JJ - that woudl be a great resource for people who need to be extra sure of what they are booking! Go for it

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 25/07/2006 10:26

jimjams - you know what you should do if this is a common problem - assuming there's a national autistic charity (forgive my ignorance) - you ought to talk to them about developing a portable, temporary fixture that familes can take with them to holiday homes or other places they visit - it sounds like it would need to be the kind of bolt that you can fix a padlock to (giving you your removeable key), which can be fixed to doors and windows temporarily without permanent damage - it's the latter bit that's (forgive the pun) the sticking point but it really sounds like something worth developing. Take yourself round B&Q and see if you can get any inspiration - you never know there might be something.