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Cot sides
We always ask hotels for kids' cot sides, to slide under one side of the bed to keep our son safe. Many hotels stock these for young children, but if not, we put a large chair along the side of the bed to stop him falling out.
Care mats
Whenever we travel, care mats are a great help. Just put one under a sheet and even if your child wets the bed, it won't go through to the mattress.
Surfing
My daughter, who has autism, has been surfing in Ireland for the last two years, during our holidays there. It was such a confidence booster for her and brilliant fun. I really recommend giving it a go. There are various places in the UK/Ireland that offer surfing for kids with autism/learning disablilities. Try Google.
Scope services
The charity Scope provides a number of short break and respite care services, including residential short breaks, weekend, after school and holiday schemes and support while you are on holiday. Scope
No surprises
Every time we go to a new holiday destination my son is adamantly against it. We have to get him excited about a new place. Show him what they have there, why he is going to like it and prepare him for the adventure. We involve him in the research and planning, and most importantly, don't surprise him.
The fear of the unknown
When you are planning a trip, try and take away the fear of the unknown by using symbols, books, even photos of every stage of the journey. Prepare as much as possible in advance by showing the photos, symbols every day, take away the unpredictability which is a big part of the fear.
How many sleeps
When we go away, our son's biggest stress is being taken away from his home comforts, so we take a velcro strip displaying how many sleeps we will be away and when we are going home.
Bespoke France
Bespoke France offer fully accessible holidays for families living with learning and multi- sensory difficulties www.bespokefrance.com
Phone ahead for assistance
If you are travelling with someone who has special needs, phone ahead & ask for assistance. We travelled by EuroStar and phoning ahead was a God-send. We had an allocated member of staff who took us into a quiet room before the train was announced and escorted us to the platform. At the other end we were greeted by staff who escorted us to the front & helped us through.
Your Direction Ltd
Your Direction Ltd offers supported holidays for people with learning disabilities, with the opportunity for people to design their own holidays within the UK or abroad. www.yourdirection.co.uk
Petty Pool Outdoor Activity Centre
Petty Pool is an outdoor activity centre that provides tailor-made breaks to suit almost everyone. They take things as fast or slow as you want to go. Guests stay in log style cabins with en suite facilities. Staff are highly experienced. Petty pool
Away with us holidays
Away With Us Holidays arrange supported, all-inclusive holidays for people with learning disabilities to a number of destinations in the UK, Europe and further afield. www.awaywithusholidays.com
Airport guide
We have produced a guide to relieve some of the stress and worry of air travel for people with disabilities. Disabled and reduced mobility airport guide
Buddies
Buddies is a children's service run by Dimensions, that provides short breaks for children with learning disabilities during the school summer holidays. http://dimensions-buddies.org
The Thomas Centre
The Thomas Centre is an autism-friendly holiday company in Lincolnshire, which specialises in five star holidays for families, groups and people with complex conditions, including autism, aspergers and ADHD. www.thethomascentre.co.uk
Dave Lee Holidays
Does everyone know about the Dave Lee Holidays, available to the whole family for disabled children based in Kent? We took part in one of their fantastic trips. They really spoilt us and helped us every step of the way. We had a brilliant stay in Disneyland Paris with like minded families who all understood each other! http://happyholidays.moonfruit.com
Holiday prep
The National Autistic Society publishes a leaflet titled Holidays: Preparation and Practicalities, with tips on preparing your child for a holiday. It includes a guide on how to explain your child’s condition in all major European languages.Call the NAS on 0845 070 4004 or look up www.autism.org.uk
Railway-themed holiday
My son has Aspergers and he is obsessed with trains and railways. We recently had a fantastic holiday in North Wales as there were loads of steam railways everywhere, which kept him happy and were really good fun for the rest of the family. There were also walks which crossed over disused railway tracks, and when we weren't actually riding on a train, he had plenty of railway guide books to entertain him!
Swanage
Our son has a profound learning disability and going on holiday can be a challenge, but I thoroughly recommend Swanage as a holiday destination, the beach is very accessible, the town wheelchair friendly, you can even access coastal paths and the staff at the steam railway were very helpful. A lovely friendly place to stay.
Holiday routine
Without the routine of school, my son acts up, so holidays can be hell. I now prepare a holiday routine for him. Even just a basic structure helps, like: 'wash, get dressed, breakfast, park or some other activity, lunch, play or video, dinner, bathtime, bed with story or DVD'.
Family holidays in Cornwall
We have found a great family holiday in Cornwall run by a lady who has worked with special needs and has a full-time on-site nursery. Good facilities etc. Wringford Down Hotel, Cawsand, Cornwall. www.cornwallholidays.co.uk Our son loves going and enjoys everything and so do his siblings.
Plan ahead
Find out as much as you can about your holiday destination in advance – where the loos are, what the food is like, is it free from flickering lighting and echoing (some restaurants can be really loud and scary). Know where a quiet zone is. Know where the big noise/light/smell hazards are e.g. fairgrounds etc
Disability Holidays Guide
The Disability holidays guide lists specialist tour operators for wheelchair users. You can search the guide for accessible hotels, villas and cottages, and you can also find travel insurance, hire accessible transport and pre-order mobility aids and equipment. The Disability Holidays Guide
Vitalise
Vitalise is a national charity providing short breaks (respite care) and other services for disabled people and carers www.vitalise.org.uk
Summer play schemes
Summer play schemes and local swimming courses can be a god-send in the holidays. My daughter went to one last year that was held by a local school, and she learned all sorts of craft activities.
Leisure time planner
We have a leisure time planner for our eldest so that he can do things in 1hr rotations otherwise he would spend all day doing exactly the same thing during the holidays.
Tourism For All
www.tourismforall.org.uk provides useful information on accessible holidays and places to go in the UK and abroad for people with disabilities, their carers and family. Their website also has a directory of holiday venues, which is really useful.
Crossroads Care
Crossroads Care has a network of local schemes providing respite in the home, using trained staff. Many Crossroads schemes do not charge although there is often a waiting list for their services.
Out About & Away
Out About & Away is a non-profit organisation that provides day trips and short breaks for people with disabilities. They also provide leisure and sports activities for disabled people.
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