Please or to access all these features

SN children

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

Good God we managed a holiday

19 replies

Jimjams · 09/04/2004 15:19

And it was relaxing (kind of). Last few holidays have been a disaster because ds1 freaks out when meant to sleep away from home, refuses to go into houses wants to sit in the car. So we decided to try a campervan holiday- hired one- and it was great.

He went to sleep by about 9pm every night and slept though until 7/8 (compared to last years Eurocamp where he screamed between 8pm and 11-12 every night) No waking up screaming. Had his own toilet so no worries about trying to get him into public ones.

He wasn't too odd in the campsited either. Got a few funny looks when he was sniffing people's car boots etc but didn't have to have the "sorry he's autistic" conversation at all.

Had a fleeting moment of sadness when I saw a family with 2 boys about the same age as ds1 and ds2 eating out in a restaurant - both boys were kind of leaning onto the table and they were having a conversation- but despite sepnding a day a bit obsessed about wanting to eat in a restaurant/pub whatever got over that!

Ds2 enjoyed himself as well- which was nice as ds1 often limits what we can do.

Now we just need to try and scrape together som cash to buy one (we have a holiday to in-laws planned this summer so will soon see whether ds1 is just getting better at holidays or whether the van made the difference).

OP posts:
hercules · 09/04/2004 15:24

Glad you had a good time? How did you survive without mumsnet?

hercules · 09/04/2004 15:24

not meant to have the 1st ?

roisin · 09/04/2004 15:29

That's great news Jimjams that you all had a good time. Going away on holiday can be very stressful even for nt children (and their parents), and all the changes/differences must be so much more difficult for your ds1 to cope with. I'm really pleased things worked out well for you this time.

Roisin

coppertop · 09/04/2004 15:41

I'm so pleased it went so well for the whole family. I must admit that I had to smile at the description of ds1 sniffing car boots. Bless him!

Davros · 09/04/2004 17:43

Great news Jimjams, I can't believe you're back already. We didn't have a holiday for 6 years until last year and then only because someone else we know with a child with autism had already troubleshot (?) this particular villa. Unfortunately its not available this year and we're too scared to go somewhere unknown. ANyone know somewhere personally they can recommend? Not to far, Spain, France or preferably Italy. Private and secure villa with pool...... 2 weeks or so sometime between 2ne-20th August (thank god he only gets a 3 week holiday!).
BTW, sorry to hijack!

Jimjams · 09/04/2004 19:44

yeah we only hired it for a week for a trial. After the last few trips away we were beginning to think we'd have to cancel all holidays (not sleeping, and on one occasion getting one of those abdominal migraines and throwing up for 3 days).

OMG just seen your holidaqy reference which answers my earlier question I emailed you. You lucky thing! Your school really has it sussed doesn't it.

OP posts:
Jimjams · 09/04/2004 19:48

Hmmm perhaps we should start up a holiday business aimed at autistic families. Comes complete with guarantees such as if the video breaks down a replacement will be provided within 2 hours (friend had problem with this as video was part of the bedtime routine), childproof locks available for swimming pools etc, extra high bolts on front door (a different friend with an escaper had this problem last year- luckily her neighbour spotted her dd climbing out of the window).

Private sites available for those who want to get away from the tut tutters. Tramplolines available with every villa/site etc.

OP posts:
insanidee · 09/04/2004 20:04

why not look into it. seriously. even if you dont set up your 'own business' i'm sure mant families of auti's would benefit from recommended places to stay.
as you know my dd1 has eczema. the campsite my parents use, refuses to let people with ezcema use the pools. it naffs me off and we always end up sneaking dd1 in (swimming is good for her asthma, unfortunatly plays havoc with her skin). the site also doesnt have any baths on it, so i personally would never book a holiday there, just go and join my parents for a few days and bath dd1 in a sink or wash bowl. if anyone with an child with ezcema said they were booking this site i would tell them the problems encountered with it. (i know its nothing like autism, but dd1 had a bad time there the 1st time and eneded going home with anti biotics and strong steroid treatments and i was fuming).

Jimjams · 09/04/2004 20:18

hmmm is an idea. ds1 used to have terrible eczema (wet wrapping galore) so I do know what you mean.

Now I'm back from holiday I'm going to start setting up my website. I could have a section there on recommendations. It's a good idea. If anyone has any email me the details and I'll include them (I was thinking about an alternative practitioner recommendation page as well). I'd be a bit wary about posting sites/people to avoid in case I got sued (!) but positives would be good.

OP posts:
Jimjams · 09/04/2004 20:20

Why don't they let children with eczema use the pool? That's ridiculous. And surely it could be said to contravene the DDA?

OP posts:
insanidee · 09/04/2004 20:28

i have no idea. on the big boards as your enter the pool, it staes that people with eczema cannot use the pool. i have never got round to making a complaint about it. but I may get my sister and parents to take some photos of the board later on this year and ask the site why not, if their answerr arent good enough (and how can they be?) then i will look into taking it further.

Jimjams · 09/04/2004 20:31

Very bizarre.

We just spent 3 days on campsites without baths (just shower) ds1 can't shower (freaks) so he went without. Not a problem at all now, but it would have been when he had eczema (in fact even now a little bit has come up over his tummy). The NAtional Eczema Society should draw up a list of suitable sites.

OP posts:
luckymum · 09/04/2004 22:30

Jimjams....Glad you enjoyed your well-deserved break

coppertop · 09/04/2004 22:54

I like the idea of a site with recommendations of where to go. We've never been on holiday with ds1 but recommendations for day-trips would be a great idea too.

Was the place where they don't let people with eczema in the pool actually in the UK???! That's shocking!

Jimjams · 09/04/2004 23:04

Anyone know of a hoover museum?

OP posts:
coppertop · 09/04/2004 23:06

I bet there's one somewhere in the country/world!

coppertop · 09/04/2004 23:11

What about a "Washing-Machines On Ice" show?

Jimjams · 09/04/2004 23:14

Now that could be good. Although ds1 would spoil the ambiance with a "aya een aya een" being shouted conitnuously throughout the night.

The obvious one of course is the Thomas road show- it's spot the auti (or probably spot the NT) there

OP posts:
insanidee · 09/04/2004 23:16

yup is in the UK. its in great yarmouth. shocking isnt it.

and i'm sure there is a hoover museam somewhere. read about it once.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page