Holiday for Autistic 6 year old and single parent

[turquoisediamond]

Hi everyone,

I want to book to go away with my son but feeling a bit overwhelmed about where to even start looking. He is 6, loves swimming and theme parks, needs quite a lot of entertaining as his attention span is not great.

Here is what I would like and wondered if anyone has any good suggestions:

• Short flight / ferry (don't want to spend too long travelling, or have long transfers as my son finds it hard to regulate his emotions with long waits!)

• Plenty to do ie pools / beaches. He can't do most sports as he tires easily and loses interest plus doesn't have great coordination. He loves rides and water parks / theme parks. So ideally would like a resort with lots to do or a town with lots to do nearby. He wouldn't be happy with normal sightseeing etc.

• Accommodation wise would like separate living / bedroom or a suite so I don't have to go bed / sit in the dark from 7.30pm

• One thing I really struggle with is taking him to nice places like soft play / theme park etc and he gets obsessed with the small machines that cost money. He can't understand why he can't go on them and it costs a fortune or leads to meltdown if I say no. So somewhere where there's not lots of slot machines / small rides that will distract him would be good!

I'd love to do Disney but really worry the queues would lead to lots of meltdowns and too many expensive things he'd want in the shops and it's a lot of money when there's no guarantee he'll enjoy it.

I constantly have to manage his energy levels / tiredness ensure not overstimulated / ensure he eats enough etc.

I'm thinking of a eurocamps or that theme park in Holland Duinrell but if anyone has other ideas or experience with a SEN child in these places would be great to get insight.

Looking to go week of 11th August so have left it a bit late. Budget - the cheaper the better but to give a ball park £1.5k-£3k

Thanks so much!

You can get passes for theme parks if your child has autism here as the waiting and queuing can be so distressing. You need proof of diagnosis or a letter from a Doctor/ Paediatrician. Might be worth checking out if adjustments are available where you choose to go.
Airports also have adjustments available so check online or research.

https://www.autism.org.uk/directory/m/manchester-airport

https://www.altontowers.com/plan-your-visit/before-you-visit/accessibility/accessibility-theme-park/ride-access-pass/

Thanks very much. I do know about assistance I can get at the airports and theme parks. I was more after advice of where is good to go abroad with short transfers and lots to do as I've not been away with him on a foreign holiday since before Covid.

Sorry wouldn’t have been able to travel abroad with our daughter when she was young due to her SPD and restricted diet alongside her ASD.
Good luck and enjoy

If you'd consider the UK, I highly recommend this place. We've had loads of holidays there with our autistic daughter (age 10 now, age 4 when we first went).

www.searles.co.uk/

Some availability for w/c 11th (not lots) for a 2 bed lodge (static caravan).

They do have an arcade but it's tuced away so younger DC don't notice it. 3 pools, soft play, entertainment, by beach.

Tucked!

I'm a disabled single Mum to an asd 7 year old. Because of my arthritis I like to go away in winter. We went abroad for the first time in February half term and at Easter. Great success because I booked with Jet2. The strong brand recognition works in my favour with my son because he knows exactly what to expect. Eg, the "irritating"/highly recognisable jingle played on the plane at regular intervals reassures him.
We make sure to choose a hotel with an indoor pool ( in case of bad weather)and half board buffet attending both at quieter times. Choosing resorts with enough variety for me and sameness for him.
Because we got the balance right. Both trips were a great success and a highly enjoyable as a result.

We are just trying going abroad this year for the first time (canaries, so the flight would be too long for what you are wanting but my daughter is ok sitting if she has her iPad)

If you are ok with UK based I highly recommend centre parcs, we have been 3 times and my daughter loved it. Indoor pool with slides, great playparks, activities if you think they would cope with them. Lodges so you can have your own room. Restaurants are all kid friendly so we could always find something she would eat and we didn't feel judged for using screens.