Holiday accommodation advice please

[kerpob]

Hi everyone - this is my first posting. We have twin boys aged almost 5 with a diagnosis of autism and learning disability. Both are "runners" - their main aim in life is to get away from us, whether at home or anywhere else. This makes for very frazzled nerves especially anywhere new. We have tried various types of holiday accommodation over the past five years, all of which have resulted in us parents returning home absolutely exhausted, while the boys of course have a great time. To be honest we would be reluctant to do anything too much but we also have a 7 year old daughter who needs to have a holiday. Does anyone know of any accommodation either in the UK or Europe which has a safe environment i.e. high wall or fence? We desperately need something that allows them a bit of running space but which is safe. I really appreciate any help - I cannot face another summer holiday coming back in need of a break rather than feeling relaxed which just seems unattainable at the moment!!! Any advice or suggestions very welcome, many thanks.

Hi, welcome!

Ah yes, I remember those days well. We found a variety of country cottages through the main cottage hire places that seemed to do decent high-fenced gardens. Worth searching around and asking the owners, as it's not always clear from the brochures.

Hi, I don't know if I can say welcome because I haven't been on here that long myself and it feels a bit forward, but welcome anyway!
Have you tried the National Autistic Society website as they have a holiday section? I must admit, I've ploughed my way through it a few times, but not really found anything that appeals in my price range, but it is worth a try.

A couple of years ago, I swore I would never go on holiday ever again - my son is not a runner but doesn't sleep much and can be violent and aggitated and does not engage in activities. It just didn't seem worth the bother to have a worse time in a different setting when we could have stayed at home and saved the cash. (We have been again, but only because we employed a carer). However, we sometimes take it in turns taking our NT kids on short holidays without my ds, then everyone gets a proper holiday which doesn't get spoilt. This seems the best compromise for us.

If you find this mythical place where sn children can have a holiday without their parent's and siblings going mad with stress, then do report back!

The knack for all of us has been to know exactly what the place is like, exactly what will be done each day. Photos, maps, plans, diagrams, anything that gives tons of detail on what to expect. Without it, I can't go on holiday as it's too stressful for me, and dh and ds's stress levels go through the proverbial roof if they don't know exactly what will happen when.

I guess our holidays have worked because we're so similar in what we need, and don't stress each other out hugely as we know not to do the mad social whirl that others really enjoy/make decisions on the spur of the moment (er, do moments have spurs? Goodness, there's some strange expressions in language ), etc.

We've just had a holiday with friends, and we were fine with it until the friends unexpectedly invited their relatives over for a meal. We hid. We're adults and we hid . In fact, I went into the bedroom and burst into tears because I was so stressed out by it. They were nice people too, and normally I love meeting people if I know it's going to happen. We just weren't expecting it, so had already used all our 'spoons' for that day (google "spoon theory" )

Difficult, life with people on the autism spectrum, eh?

Hi, we have 2 girls, one with AS and one with ASD, we go to Park Resorts in the isle of wight, they have a huge fenced off play area which is great and the resort is set a long way from any roads (apart from the small track leading into the resort), we went last year and both dd's enjoyed it. We always go in April/may when it is quite.

Thanks for the suggestions so far - will have a look at the cottage websites and the Isle of Wight idea. We have tried the NAS website but it seems to mostly suggest places for people with physical disabilities - there is a lot of discussion re wheelchair accessible rooms etc which we don't need. (It may be just a generic list of places for people with disabilities, I'm not sure, but there was nothing that we found that seemed to fit the bill.) I would really be reluctant to separate the family up for holidays - to be honest out sons needs are such, that it is very difficult for one parent to care for them at a time. It really takes the two of us to be hands on and our daughter then misses out, so I don't really have any alternative at the minute. Many thanks so far!!

there is the thomas Centre

I believe it was set up by a family with an autistic child, due to their difficulties finding suitable holidays.

I've not been (dd1 is thankfully not a runner) but I have heard that they are very helpful, so you could give them a ring to talk through your requirements?

I hope you find something.

We've been to the Thomas Centre twice. It's brilliant, the houses are beautiful and large grounds but not securely fenced. It is in a very quiet location. You have exclusive one hour use of the indoor pool each day and can lock the door.

I have been talking to the Thomas centre and I think it might be a possibility. While it is not entirely fenced, apparently it is very flat so at least you can see them when they run!! Many thanks to all.

Cerebra have a holiday home - www.cerebra.org.uk/parent_support/holiday_home/

And i'm sure i have a few more links somewhere too, will have a look

www.happykidsholidays.com/index.html

Crebra home looks great but fully booked up for 2009 - maybe think about this for 2010. Thanks for that.

thanks everyone - in weighing it all up, have booked for the thomas centre - testimonials are very impressive so hope all goes well - thanks for all the really useful advice!!