• Replies 37 replies
  • Subscribers 93 subscribers
  • Views 1696 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Autism and Holidays

MJJ24

Hello all, I have a 2 week cruise booked in August. I was just wondering if I could get any tips/techniques people use to survive when they go on holidays. 

I have already sunflower lanyard, assistance with boarding and disembarking. I have a thing with germs and using other peoples stuff so I also bring my own sleeping bag, towels, cutlery, mugs, water bottle. I will bring some safe snacks. It will be warm where we are going which isn't fab as I usually live in hoodies, I have brought some loose thin summer clothing and have been practicing wearing it so I am used to how it feels by the time we go. I have tried my best to research all the ports and what we might do. 

I am most worried probably about the business on and off the ships considering its school holidays. Being comfortable enough to actually be able to reset and relax in the safety of my cabin. Spending 2 weeks sharing a room with two others. 

I am worried about many many more stuff (I have GAD/SAD as well as autism so worry about literally everything and anything), so just any tips or advice anyone has on anything at all that may come up on a holiday would be appreciated. I prefer to be overly prepared as normally something I think I will be fine with ends up going wrong as I am so overstimulated with everything else. 

Thanks in advance from one very anxious girly <3

Parents

  • I just wanted to say how much I admire you for giving it a go. I think it's really brave of you. You must have been very motivated to say yes to the experience so always keep in mind what appealed to you about going and what you are excited to see. Take anything with you that will help with regulation because thats going to be the priority here. Hopefully your two cabin mates are aware of your diagnosis? Do they understand? Perhaps consider briefing them in advance on some of the things that are likely to challenge you so they are pre-armed? One simple thing might be to give you space. Let you have some alone time in the cabin at regular intervals so you can decompress perhaps? Have a funny code word that you can say or a card you can present when you need that time out, something that requires no explanation, no communication, just show your card and go. I don't know if you worry about orientation and finding your way around but perhaps ask your friends to help you navigate when you first arrive so you are clear about how to get from your cabin to the main dining area for example and back to the cabin. Ask them to support you whilst you memorise or draw a map so you feel you can find your way around if they are not there. It would help you feel more independent. On the embarking/disembarking, wait to last to get off or get on. There's no rush, even though people act like there is. Keep that fresh air around you and take your own sweet time. Take regular breaks on days out and if it's too much don't worry yourself about staying in your cabin. Take some good music and a journal and don't feel a shred of guilt. You won't be letting anyone down, you are simply taking good care of yourself. Oh, and have fun. Let us know how it goes : )

Reply

  • I just wanted to say how much I admire you for giving it a go. I think it's really brave of you. You must have been very motivated to say yes to the experience so always keep in mind what appealed to you about going and what you are excited to see. Take anything with you that will help with regulation because thats going to be the priority here. Hopefully your two cabin mates are aware of your diagnosis? Do they understand? Perhaps consider briefing them in advance on some of the things that are likely to challenge you so they are pre-armed? One simple thing might be to give you space. Let you have some alone time in the cabin at regular intervals so you can decompress perhaps? Have a funny code word that you can say or a card you can present when you need that time out, something that requires no explanation, no communication, just show your card and go. I don't know if you worry about orientation and finding your way around but perhaps ask your friends to help you navigate when you first arrive so you are clear about how to get from your cabin to the main dining area for example and back to the cabin. Ask them to support you whilst you memorise or draw a map so you feel you can find your way around if they are not there. It would help you feel more independent. On the embarking/disembarking, wait to last to get off or get on. There's no rush, even though people act like there is. Keep that fresh air around you and take your own sweet time. Take regular breaks on days out and if it's too much don't worry yourself about staying in your cabin. Take some good music and a journal and don't feel a shred of guilt. You won't be letting anyone down, you are simply taking good care of yourself. Oh, and have fun. Let us know how it goes : )

Children