holiday cottage for families with autism

[Gourmetcat]

I have the opportunity to make a holiday let. I want to make it the holiday cottage I couldn't find when my kids were little. Somewhere without judgment and with an understanding of Autism and Special Needs. A place where adults could rest and relax and kids were safe with plenty on the doorstep fun and recreation, even on rainy days. I am based in Somerset between Bridgwater and Minehead and I would love to have input from families. If you would be willing to share your insights and needs with me to help me create this, I would love to hear from you.

Sounds great idea.

For me yes to lockable exits (dangerous sleepwalker here!) and lots of tough non breakable items.

I'd also suggest bean bags and gym balls, blankets and tent, swing etc. Lots of things that can provide the sort of sensory feedback many children on he spectrum need.

Alarms on the exit doors, which go off when opened.

Sorry spent 8 hours yesterday being a mummy taxi!

Right there will be a sleep camp kit, and standard beds. Thanks for helping me decide this.

There is a washing machine and tumble drier and covered outside area to dry clothes - washing machine - eco balls and non-fragrant products only so that washing is clean but neutral smelling - I would provide the eco balls and liquids - does that sound a good idea?

Cleaning products - yes there will be plenty, and a dustpan, mop etc an emergency "I feel sick" kit ie bucket, wipes, disinfectant etc. All the kitchen cupboards will have magnetic child locks so as long as you keep the magnet key out of reach, small people cannot get into the cupboards - has anyone tried these? They weren't around when my kids were little and we had those fiddly plastic ones which the kids could open faster than me!

Got to be a taxi again - will respond to other posts later - love the tube and tennis balls - consider it done!

What a lovely idea.

How about something to make it special for siblings too? We stayed in one that had a stacking of colouring books and colouring pencils, a big tub of duplo, some books and a couple of mahoosive cuddly toys. It wasn't loads but I think it made us all feel very welcome, a real home from home.

swings - planning to have a swing of some sorts - just sorting out health and safety with it being a let. But yes, a swing there will be.

There is a bath and a shower as I had similar issues with my DS not liking showers (not can't get him out! DS is 15). Bathroom is small and I can't change that but it is new and will be comfortable and clean - with a shower and a bath (shower over P shaped bath).

There will be blackout blinds in both bedrooms and waterproof mattress protectors on the children's beds but not adult unless requested.

There is an information pack and I am visiting as many places that I can to talk with the owners about Autism awareness - I will give my feedback. There will also be information about places I have not visited and in time we can build up a good family feedback pack.

With regards to food, there is a freezer and takeaway info. I am looking for a local supplier to provide home-cooked meals from the freezer which are tasty and good value, so you could dine in without cooking if you wish. There are takeaways but we find the quality quite variable.

Ok some form of jingly alarm when doors are opened - that can be sorted.

Nappy changing - would a changing mat on the floor with a beanbag to kneel on be ok or were you thinking of some form of furniture or pull down unit? The cottage is on a septic tank so it would be really important not to put anything down the loo that could block it as it will block quickly so nappy disposal bin will be provided.

There will be bean bags and I like the idea of some large cuddly toys, I will look into that too.

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback.
For all children there is a marble run (wooden one), Brio train track with lots of bits and bobs, colouring book and pencils, paints and lots of large sheets of paper, hopscotch, insect and bug viewing windows outside, insect nets for collecting and identifying butterflies etc, an outdoor covered sandpit (covered when not in use and shaded in the summer), safe water feature for outdoor play, a wide range of books etc.

There are also the animals - the donkeys love to be petted as do the sheep. I was also wondering whether to set up 4 hens in a large run so that children could be "farmers" for the week and feed the hens and collect and eat the eggs? What do you think?

Lastly wheelchair access, I originally wanted the cottage to be wheelchair accessible but it is just too small - I cannot widen the doors without demolishing structural walls and the bathroom is just too small which is a shame. If this holiday let is successful then I would like to have a second one purpose built for full wheelchair access including the bathroom and kitchen. Thanks Cathie

Changing mat on the floor is fine. I'd just kneel on the floor.

Would there be any value in putting a high up bolt on the outside of the kitchen door, to secure it at night etc? Might be less fiddly and more secure than the cupboard locks. I don't know about the magnet locks sorry.

I am in a self debate about the kitchen door - at the moment it is a solid door and when closed, you are isolated in the kitchen from the dining room and the living room. I was wondering whether to cut the door in half and make either a stable door (ie top and bottom open separately) or just a bottom half door ... and in both cases I like the idea of a simple latch on the outside for adults to close the kitchen off - again feedback would be welcome and useful. Cathie

Look up Spectrum Breaks, Hartland. They have just done such a thing, OP.

I will thank you. I have also been directed to The Thomas Centre in Lincolnshire which looks amazing!!

Have a look here for some ideas. I think the safety glass film might be an idea. There is also a big fold out changing mat suitable for older children 116cm x 58cm.

www.fledglings.org.uk/images/documents/Fledglings-Brochure.pdf

The magnetic locks are good, but you do risk the magnet getting lost/thrown away/etc.

Caledonia play do some lovely frames and various options for swings seats, including trapeze., adult sized, etc. The basket and full support additional needs seats are more expensive.

www.caledoniaplay.com/garden-play

They are pretty reasonably priced too.
This frame is £290. The seats are sold separately.

www.caledoniaplay.com/product-category/garden-play/swing-seats/?viewAll=1

If you are buying new toys, maybe a trip to ikea?
Any soft toys would benefit from being machine washable.

www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/childrens-ikea-products/children-3-7/toys-play/?N=32185&No=96&Nr=AND%28content.type%3Ap%2Csku.browsable%3A1%29

This could double as a soft mat to play on, and as a changing pad? It could be left open beside a child's bed. It folds in 4.

www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/childrens-ikea-products/children-3-7/toys-play/plufsig-folding-gym-mat-green-art-10262831/

Dear JSOtherHalf
Thank you! Love the ideas - I shall certainly look into them all.

Now Mums, most of these posts have been practical, safety and kiddie orientated which is great, but what do you mums want for yourselves?

Comfy sofas and a cafetière!!!! If you provide a welcome pack of a few bits of food etc then would be good to say what that contains so people don't duplicate e.g. I always click and collect a grocery order from the nearest Tesco etc to any holiday home we go to and if I knew milk, coffee etc was provided then I wouldn't double up and order them. Also plain cotton bedding - nice neutral stuff with no static filled polyester!

And it's great that you are putting so much thought in.

We have magnetic locks at home. They are good for toddlers once you know roughly where to put the magnet - visitors can spend ages trying to work it out. They can also be pulled open by a slightly stronger child.

Choice of bedding weights (tog) would be useful. Washer/dryer essential but also a clothes horse and a washing line. Night light options. No bunk beds.

Clean well. Seems an obvious one but it is surprising the number of places that don't!

Please do not do what one place we stayed in did and store Stanley knives, paint stripper, rat poison and matches in a accessible cupboard in the sitting room! (Fortunately we spotted them first).

Wine and flapjacks please!! And be the sort of place that builds up supplies of salt, oil etc as left behind by other guests, rather than the sort that bins the lot.

Cakescakescakes's point about people knowing what you provide is a really good one. The lovely place I mentioned above didn't mention half of the generously provided stuff on the website, which was a shame because (a) they'd missed a sales trick and (b) I'd brought most of it anyway so I'd already done the hard bit. The value of providing these things is that your guests don't have to.

I really hope all these lovely things are respected by your guests. I do just wonder if things like brio tend to go walkabout, but I hope not.

A chance or few to collect eggs, help with feeding and visit the animals would be wonderful but I'm not so sure about taking on any hens completely. Call me lazy but I have enough jobs on my holiday as it is, without committing to feeding animals, which presumably would need to be done on some sort of schedule, which may not fit round ours. Also I'm already paying the cat sitter a small fortune to feed our own cat back home! I think for the animals' welfare their feeding would need to stay your responsibility. Also sleep is important. I don't know if hens make noises in the morning but I do know that any noises will tend disturb your guests more than they do you, because they'll be less familiar, so just bear that in mind.