Autistic son hated his holiday

[Milsandmyls]

Hi all,

just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience to ours? I am just back from a 5 day holiday to Lanzarote. We came here last year and my son absolutely loved it. He swam all day long and couldn’t get enough. So we saved up and decided to go again this year. He hated it, he got in the pool the first day and it was like something switched suddenly and he wouldn’t go near the water again. He just wanted to stay in his buggy and watch cartoons. He’s usually so active. It broke my heart that he didn’t like it. It caused so much tension between my husband and I too. As he is non verbal he couldn’t tell us what was wrong but my only guess is that the water was too cold. I would love to take my family away again in the future but too scared to.

I’m sorry the holiday was tricky. They can be difficult for some with additional needs - change of place, routine, different food, different people…

If you think the water was too cold, would getting a wetsuit for next time help? Or going somewhere with a heated pool if going at this time of year.

Was it busier &/or noisier than last year?

Does DS struggle with food? Changes in food can be problematic on holiday. Did DS have some safe foods?

I'm sorry too.

If he's very sensitive to water temperature, it might be a good idea to go somewhere with an indoor pool.

I've got an older AuDHD child and she adores the water but those hotel pools in the Canaries, Greece etc are often solar heated only and can be surprisingly cold off season. DD will go in them till she turns blue which isn't great either.

A shortie wetsuit is a good idea. You can get them cheaply from e.g. Decathlon.