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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Holiday suggestions for children with ASD

33 replies

countdowntoxmas · 10/02/2011 15:26

We really would like to go away this summer or summer half term (if locations less hot and cheaper). We have a DS, aged 5 with ASD. When we last went on holiday, he loved all of the flight apart from the strapping on seatbelt bit on landing where he screamed and screamed. I think it was more to do with being told to do something that he had no desire to do rather than the experience of landing.

We spent a week at a resort in Turkey where DS refused to join in at the lid's club, so my DH and I ended up looking after DS in shifts (DH-3 hours, me 3 hours, etc) so that at least one of us could get some time to read and relax.

We had no problem doing this and would like to try to get away this year, ideally abroad. Has anyone had good experiences of any resorts with children with ASD?

OP posts:

keepingupwiththejoneses · 10/02/2011 15:52

Sorry I don't have any advice for you but, I will be watching this thread as we would like to go abroad with ds3 who will be 5 and has asd and sld.

BagPuss71 · 10/02/2011 16:02

My DS is 6 and has ASD too. Last year we went the Carihuela, Costa del Sol. We spent most of our time on the beach were DS loved playing or snorkelling - he can swim but obviously he was supervised. We ate out in the evenings and DS joined in quite happily.

It wasn't a package deal, we organised the accomadation and flights ourselves - the idea of a kids club would be lovely but he wouldn't be able to cope with this at the moment.

DS loves flying so sitting wasn't a problem for us. Try taking some distraction stuff - mine loves Mario and Sonic so he played on his 'DS' for some of the flight. My DS is very loving and we adore him but at the moment we accept that we cannot do things, like kids clubs, because this will trigger a 'meltdown'. If we avoid these situations then everyone is happy :)

LaydeeC · 10/02/2011 16:23

My ds is 13yo with AS. We find that a holiday with our own villa and pool is best for us. Oh, and an internet connection! Yes, it costs more but so much more enjoyable for the rest of us. An absolute no, no is a holiday with a hotel room. That would be hell for him.

chuckeyegg · 10/02/2011 17:18

At the moment we haven't gone abroad, DS loves pottering about the beaches in Cornwall in his wellies. The colder it is the happier he is because the quieter it is.

MarioandLuigi · 10/02/2011 17:32

DS2 is 4 and we are off to Portaventura in Salou this year - the flight is only 2 hours and there is plenty to do - I think DS would hate if he didnt have anything to do. I am hoping it will be worth the money we have paid for it. DS wouldnt do Kids club either but we are not fussed with that - as long as there are plenty of swimming pools he is okay.

We are doing Cyprus next year (at the First Choice Village) and the flight is 4 hours. I am stressing that it will be too long. We will have to see.

Hope you find somewhere that you all like.

silverfrog · 10/02/2011 17:32

we are off to Disneyworld this year - going in April, so will report back.

we have previosly tended to go with villas with own pool, in an area which ahs a lot of attractions like we would go to at home - zoo, theme park, playground etc.

we went to Malta last Easter, which was great. had a lovely time.

Center Parcs has worked well for us in the past too, as there are activities for children, and ime, they are very good at bending rules to allow for ASD - eg you could stay with your ds at an activity rather than drop him off as other parents would do. which means there is a lot on offer when you are on-shift

haven't tried the European Center Parcs, but no reason why they would be any different.

MarioandLuigi · 10/02/2011 17:36

We are doing Cyrpus because I really really want to do the Dominican Replublic and the flight time to Cyprus is half what it will be to Dom Rep - if we can cope with Cyprus flight we should be okay to go to DM for my 30th :)

MarioandLuigi · 10/02/2011 17:37

yy to Center Parcs - just open space to run around. We are off in three weeks for DS1's birthday and cant wait.

bettyboop63 · 10/02/2011 17:44

I did disneyland paris with my DS (ADS) hotel cheyenne it was great its not a hotel really its a cowboy town we loved it they did pony rides in the morning a hot breakfast or continental or cerial n toast and all the usual foods (yay) were available thank goodness we got a disabled pass so didnt have to wait forever for rides and we did the disney character breakfast he was scared when they did shoot outs tho (only a couple times while we were there cos of loud bangs but take ear defenders if thats a prob) and he loved the lasso's and spinning bull rides loads to do and we got to go in to paris quite a few times too which we loved

silverfrog · 10/02/2011 17:47

thanks betty . I need ot order some ear defenders for dd2. have a pair for dd1, but dd2 always ends up nicking htem off her

Camp Bestival is good too - not abroad, but a chance of decent weather (was lovely last year) - lots of outdoor runaround, mixed with Mr tumble on tap (I believe he is back again this year), and some bands playing in the background.

we had an ace time last year, dd1 had an absolute ball

MarioandLuigi · 10/02/2011 17:52

I wish Justin would update his blooming website - still has dates from last year and I want to try and arrange to take the children to see him - I dont care where it is!

silverfrog · 10/02/2011 17:55

he said when he was on for the webchat that he was in talks for Camp B, so crossed fingers.

he was ace.

he often does the Legoland open air concert too, I htink - we went ot that a couple of years ago.

Camp B are due to be releasing their line up in the next couple of weeks, I htink. and oyu could check around the other family festivals, to see if they have released yet?

loads more to do than "just" Justin, though. really, really recommend Camp B

MarioandLuigi · 10/02/2011 18:01

Im not really a camper

silverfrog · 10/02/2011 18:06

oh god, me neither. we did the boutique camping - all set up for you, beds and all.

we stayed in a podpad last year, and will probably go for a yurt htis year.

pushes the price up, but worth it for the indulgence of camping while sleeping n a proper bed, with sheets and everythign

Eloise73 · 10/02/2011 18:43

If money is no object I would say Disney every time (but i'm a bit of a Disney freak, thought I should say )

We've taken DD to Disneyland Paris twice and as soon as we can afford it we will take her to Disneyworld. They are brilliant in Florida at helping out families with ASD kids. And there is just so much to see and do. Plus of course in Florida you have amazing beaches and that lovely weather.

MarioandLuigi · 10/02/2011 18:50

How did you book it Silverfrog?

Florida is amazing, will go back one day (DH, DS and I have been three times).

zzzzz · 10/02/2011 18:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fedupandfuming · 10/02/2011 18:56

Silverfrog, can I just ask what you did when you were in Malta? My family are from there, and we would love to go over with DS, 4 (ASD), but am a bit concerned as we would need self catering, and there aren't many sandy beaches there. Although I know it very well from my own childhood, I do wonder now how child-friendly it is. Plus the fact that I woulod never be brave enough to hire a car out there so would have to rely on taxis/ buses, with 3 kids in tow.

Would love to go though.

We're off to Disneyworld in April too!

MarioandLuigi · 10/02/2011 19:08

Gosh ZZZZZ - I really admire you, I would love to take my DC's to places like that :)

Eloise73 · 10/02/2011 19:09

I am so ridiculously envious of those of you going to Florida !!! Haven't been in 4.5 years and so want to take our daughter.

Won't happen for a while though, our holiday budget is now our therapy budget. No matter though, we'll get there one day. Hope those of you going have a marvellous time :)

silverfrog · 10/02/2011 19:48

Mario - how did we book what? Camp B? via ticketmaster, I think last year. got Early Bird tickets for this year, so already done and paid for. the accommodation we booked once the links were live on the Camp B site.

Fedup: I grew up in Malta, so went back with my brother for a holiday - my first itme back in 20 years or so. we rented a villa in San Juan, which was ok (the villa was alright, San Juan not brilliant, but ok - had a couple of shops etc)

form our holiday diary, we:

went to Ta 'Qali crafts,
Seaworld (not usre what it was called, but there can't be that many of them! )
Sweethaven
San Anton gardens, combined with a tour of Balzan to see old school/house etc
Playmobil factory/world
a day in Valletta
took the ferry to Gozo

combined with a reasonable amount of loafing att he villa/swiming etc.

it was very child friendly, imo. obvoulsy not huge amounts of choice as to what to do, but there were more htings which we didn't d, and could do next time.

we are not a beach family, really, but my brother went a couple of times with his dd. self catering was fine, and there's even an M&S for all the essentials . gluten free bread/pasta was available too, which was a bonus. in fact, it was one of the most gluten-free friendly places I've been to, lots of choice int he restaurants too.

driving obviously a nightmare, but thankfully dh didn't mind that, so we rented a car. not sure how you'd get on without that, tbh.

where are you staying on Florida? we have opted for in a Disney hotel, as they are supposed to be really good at catering for weird diets - we'll certainly be testing that out. willbe nice to have a "proper" holiday.

Fedupandfuming · 10/02/2011 20:52

Thanks so much for that, Silver, I really am desperate to get back to Malta but for some reason had convinced myself it wasn't doable. Really am thinking again now. And it could be talk of the M&S that's done it, as DS eats pretty much all of the kids meals from there, (in fact they make up about 80pc of his diet...he doesn't come cheap) and he can sniff out substitutes a mile off.

Will deffo check out the villas in San Juan...my folks all live in Sliema but nowhere's that far from anywhere else!

As for Florida, we're staying in a Holiday Inn near International Drive. Am v at the thought of a Disney hotel but £40 a night was a lot more in our price range. Or at least it enabled us to blow a small fortune on Discovery Cove instead

zzzzz · 10/02/2011 20:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MarioandLuigi · 10/02/2011 21:32

I would LOVE to go to DC too - maybe one day.

Original poster

countdowntoxmas · 13/02/2011 13:34

Has anyone had experience of going to a resort where they and DS has been happy with food, activities, rooms, etc. Just want a nice easy holiday, it that is in the slightest bit possible. Probably with a flight no longer than 5 hours

OP posts:

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