Summer holidays - where do people go?

[stillenacht]

My son has classic autism and sleeps in a junior bed which we have constructed a cot around (so we can lock it so he can't escape) Basically he went from cot to this enclosed bed. He is 5 and only just a little verbal. We would love to go on holiday somewhere in the summer but he is a runner and we need somewhere quite secure. Any advice?

not sure if it got on the board

Here-?

www.happykidsholidays.com

Hi. Try Caerwen run by The Harriet Davis Trust, near Tenby, Wales. Very secure, enclosed garden, stair gates, locks on doors and a soft play room but unfortunately no high sided bed, which is the only reason we are not going back this year. If your son will sleep in a locked room on a bed that is bolted to the floor it may work for you!! Tbh, we havent found anywhere that we can go now. My son has always slept in a high sided bed (7yo, Angelman Syndrome) and we have searched everywhere for a cottage or something that has one, so if you find one please post it on here!! Safespaces here now do a travel bed called VOYAGER, it costs around £1.5k but it may be worth considering.(you can get funding) (we are thinking about it). Also The Wessex Sleep center with Tomcat are also doing a travel bed. (not suitable for us). Best wishes with your search. I too would be very interested if anyone has any other suggestions.

is autism classed as brain damage??? if it is there is an organisation called cerebra who have a holiday home for the use of families with a brain injured child! will do link......here

Cerebras house is called Vallechia-unfortunately is always booked up about 2 yrs in advance!!! (because its free!). You can get in sooner if you are happy to share with another family. I know a lot of families have been and really enjoyed it but they also dont have a high sided bed!!

no but they have a really large cot! i have it booked for a week next year (2010) but cant share as there are 7 of us in the family.

It sounds bizarre, but our DS used to sleep in a one-man tent (indoors) on holidays with the zip padlocked to stop him wandering in the night. He used to love it - it was womb-like I suppose. Cost: £7.50.

The Autistic society have a list of holiday places, but it's tough to plough through and I don't suppose all will be suitable. Holiday cottages for disabled people tend to be designed for physical disability don't they.

thanks so much everyone - we went on holiday with Canvas 2 years ago when he was nearly 4 and we took his actual cot on the roof rack! unfortunately he is too big for that now. Great ideas here. Will look into all of them. Wow! You lot are brillinat!

Anyone else got any thoughts?

Thanks all xxxxx

bumping

bumping again

Are you a member of the NAS? There's usually some adverts in their quarterly magazine, but I've recycled mine!

We used to stay in a guesthouse that had an Ikea daybed ie like a 3 sided adult metal barred cot, and turn it round to use the wall as the 4th side, so ds could not escape. It was rather heavy to move with him in it! Guesthouse has gone too posh now but it was a popular bed so others may have one!

see ASD toddlers and beds post for info on ZEWI sleepsheet. Still trying to find an English Link!

Last year I saved a thread along the same lines to 'my favourites' it is here
Haven't read it in a while as DS still a baby and no problem (yet!) but may be useful to you.
xx

We've been to the Thomas centre and I would recommend it. I don't think they have any high sided beds though.

OMG the voyager costs £2200 - jees - thats a lot of dosh for a glorified travel cot