Holidays

Summer will come again, but what about a summer holiday?? 

Is a family holiday really a holiday when you have a family member on the spectrum, or simply a very stressful time for everyone? 

Say you had a fairy godmother, what list would you give her for all the things you would need to make a holiday really a holiday?  Maybe a pictorial timetable of the route to the holiday destination showing key landmarks, picture symbols of things you might do on the holiday, a photo album of the holiday destination sent to you before you go, an extra person to help during the day or evenings, a sympathetic understanding atmosphere at the holiday destination …………

I'm not quite a fairy godmother, but I would like to set up a holiday cottage, and put in those extras which you need to make it possible for you to go on a family holiday.  So, I would be most grateful if you could help me out and give me a 'wish list'!

Many thanks!

  • PEC's is a Picture exchange system, since you have high functioning Aspergers Syndrome you will not have come across it as it's for people who find talking and communicating through words difficult.

    Thanks for your ideas about what should go in the cottage.  I hadn't thought of bean bags, will put them on my list!

  • At the risk of sounding dim, whats a PEC's symbol? xD

    Yeah the idea sounds pretty cool. I've got high functioning Aspergers Syndrome so for me just generally knowing where I'm going, how I'm getting there and when I'm getting there is good, but having a map with pictures of the area would be really helpful, whether its on the wall or leaflets.

    The biggest issue with having Aspergers and any kind of autism is the anxiety that comes with change. Any different envirnoment can be stressful sadly, though for younger kids cuddly toys, books or games could help distract them from the stress of being in a new environment. As for sensory things, lights and soft things go down well with myself and my younger cousin who's further down the spectrum than me. I'd suggest bean bags but theres always the small risk of bursting them when you jump on them too quickly...

    Thanks for clarifying, its a great idea and I hope its successful.

    Good luck!

  • Hello,

    Yes, sorry it wasn't clear. 

    The idea is to have a self-catering holiday cottage which offers a holiday package with added extras to promote a stress free holiday for families who have a member with a learning need such as those on the autistic spectrum. 

    Is this something people would find useful?  What extras would you need? 

    Simply going to a holiday cottage which is adapted for disabled may not meet your needs.  You might need extra help at particular times of day for example, or PEC's symbols? 

     Maybe the equipment in the cottage needs to be different, would it help to have a sensory room for example?

    Thanks

  • Er, sorry I honestly don't mean to be offensive in any manner but...

    o.o This post confuses me, are you trying to make a holiday cottage for those with ASD? If so thats a great idea, if not feel free to correct me, its just there seems to be a lot of words without much meaning. :S