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Holiday where we can be child free for a few hours?

ByteBandit

Hello,

Not sure this is the right place for this...

We're looking for a holiday place where we can leave our two girls, 2 and 7 (both HFA), in somebody elses capable hands for a few hours. We were thinking somewhere like Butlins, Pontins, Centre Parks, etc, but so far as I can tell none of them are really able to deal with autism, even on the mild end.

We'd like to go away over the Easter weekend or something, or just for a weekend, we've never been on holiday as a family other than my inlaws in the US owing to the immense upheaval it causes (tried camping once, OMG) and needing a holiday afterwards to recover. My own family are unsupportive so we cannot rely on them for holiday help. If we could get somebody to give us a break...!

Can anybody suggest somewhere? It needs to be UK, preferably near a beach, and not costing £100s/week (which I realise maybe a contradiction given our requirements). Both kids receive high rate care if that helps.

  • I know they are expensive and may not be in everyones budget but cruising is the perfect holiday for this.  We have a 9 year old with ASD and he loves the kids clubs on cruise ships.  We always explain to them that he has ASD.  They have qualified staff who know what this is and how to deal with it.  If he does not want to join in the group activities he does not have to he can just play on the computer.  Most cruises he will go to kids club at 9 in the morning and we have to drag him out for lunch and dinner. 

    We see this holiday as respite for us as he is just happy to spend time in the kids club and we get relaxation without being too far away from him.

  • We've had a previous run in with social services when somebody made a malicious complaint, they were rude, badly informed and never apologised for turning our lives upside down. We don't want them involved again. Besides, our girls our 'only' HFA, not like they're head banging or anything and I think the CDC tried to get us respite before and the answer was they weren't "disabled enough".

  • We went to Centre Parcs (Elvedon Forest) with my autistic son. Although the staff didn't understand his autism they were very considerate about his need for extra time to start things.

    Centre Parcs is popular because it is safe. The kids can cycle around without any car danger and the wave pool and waterslides are great. We had a relaxing holiday watching him enjoying himself. When he is happy he is a delight to be with.

    But you also need a complete break from time to time.

    Have you had a carers assessment?  If you reqest one then social services are obliged to complete one for you.

    You can read about carers assessments here,

    http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/benefits-and-community-care/care-and-benefits-for-parents-and-carers/carers-rights.aspx

    Just as we have to fight to get our children's needs met so you will probably have to fight to get your own needs met.

    But who knows, maybe by next year you will be able to have a proper break.

    Good luck

  • Wasn't sure if you were Home Ed'ing.

    Centre parcs is always Mon - Fri or Fri - Mon so if you can only stay for the weekend you will miss 2 days = expensive.

  • I can't see the school letting her out during term time for a holiday, I can't imagine any school authorising that other than the most extreme situations? Still, an interesting idea...

    Thanks.

  • Centre Parcs at Easter can be a bit manic, but midweek during term time it's much cheaper and quieter.  Mostly families with young children.  I would highly recommend Centre Parcs, I have always found their staff very helpful and friendly and the facilities are very good - especially if you ask for assistance.

    Can I suggest you phone the location you're interested in and speak to a Manager, you may find they have a child minder who is qualified in special needs.

    Alternativly, if you book a chalet you will still have 2 spaces free (minimum size is 6 people - 3 rooms). You could use some budget to take a carer with you, could you 'pay' for her accomodation and come to an arrangement over free time?

    Jaffa cakes

  • Anybody any experiance of Center Parcs? I've seen then mentioned in a few other forums, though £700 for Easter weekend for the most basic lodge? Really, who has that kind of money lying around!

  • I have to admit I had difficulty determining from their website what they actually offer, but childcare didn't seem to be on the agenda. I also think the prices for what appears to be nothing more than a luxury hotel to be extortionate. We've got a brochure coming anyway, maybe their website lets them down and they are worth the money.

  • You could try a specialist holiday  centre like the Thomas Centre 

    http://www.thethomascentre.co.uk/home 

    The NAS has section on their website devoted to holidays 

    http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/out-and-about/holidays-and-days-out/holidays-autism-friendly-venues.aspx