Holidays!
Holiday Help Guide: The NAS Helpline produce an information sheet, Holidays: autism friendly venues, is a list of centres throughout the UK and abroad which have stated that they are suitable for people with an ASD and other disabilities. This document also includes the contact details of a small number of organisations who are able to provide funding for holidays.
Top tips:
If you are planning on flying this guide about Manchester airport may help. Although you may not be travelling from Manchester, the information and pictures may help to explain what to expect. With pictures of arriving at the car park to checking-in, to going through security and returning home. Go to www.manchesterairport.co.uk and type “Airport Awareness” into the search box.
- If you are booking a flight, always tell the airline that you are travelling with a child with autism. They will usually give you priority boarding and seat you in the most suitable seats. The earlier you do this the better. Airlines are usually understanding about large buggies, but do tell them in advance.
- If your child has special dietary requirements it’s best to let the airline know as early on as possible. It’s a good idea to take suitable food with you.
- Always pack a bag of entertainment to take with you when you’re travelling. Including simple things to fiddle with – fidget toys (see page 20) are great, but bubble wrap, velcro and stickers are just as good fun.
- Take some information cards with you if you are going abroad. These have been designed by the NAS to be easily carried around by the person with an ASD. It can contain the person's name and emergency contact details and includes an in-depth explanation of ASD than the cards mentioned in the previous paragraph. This information is written on an enclosed, fold-out leaflet and is contained in a plastic wallet for durability. It is available in English, Welsh, Urdu, Bengali, Chinese, Somali, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Greek, Turkish, Italian, Russian, Polish and French. www.autism.org.uk/card
CenterParcs
CenterParcs holidays are perfect for active families; lots of bike riding and sports for the whole family. They also run a brilliant kids club called the Time Out club and will give special needs children 1-2-1 support if it’s required, at no extra cost.
08448 267723 www.centerparcs.co.uk
Disneyland Paris & Florida
If you are thinking about taking a trip to either of these theme parks, make sure you take a copy of the diagnosis letter as they also use the exit pass schemes that the UK attractions do. It means that queuing times are kept to a minimum.
Happy Kids Holidays
This is a non profit making association aimed at supporting families with children and teenagers with Autistic Spectrum Disorders who want to holiday in France.
Home From Home in Cyprus
This small business aims to gives people who are disabled or have learning difficulties the chance to enjoy a holiday abroad in Cyprus in comfortable and friendly surroundings.
00 357 96528187 www.disabledholidayscyprus.com
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activities Centre
Offers specialist outdoor activities for people of all ages with special needs. Visitors must be accompanied. Self-catering frame cabins are available and can accommodate up to eight people. Families or groups are welcome.
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activities Centre, Manor Farm Country Park, Pylands Lane, Burlesdon, Hampshire, SO31 1BH.
023 8040 4844 www.qe2activitycentre.co.uk
Thomas Centre
The Thomas Centre is a barn development which provides luxury self-catering holiday accommodation for families with communication-impaired children and adults. Set in Lincolnshire, the accommodation includes 3 houses and 3 bungalows built to M2 disabled regulations. Facilities on site include an indoor heated swimming pool, a community room, outdoor playing fields and an indoor play barn with a pool table, skittle alley and more. They can also accommodate school and adult groups.
The Thomas Centre, Westfield, Covenham St Bartholomew, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 0PB.
01507 363463 www.thethomascentre.co.uk
Funding for holidays……
The following are just some of the charitable organisations who provide funding for holidays to families who have children with special needs. The charities have stringent criteria that must be met. Contact the charities directly to find out about their eligibility criteria and to make an application.
Family Fund
Help families of severely disabled children aged 15 years and under with grants related to the care of the child. Family income must be £23,000 or less in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and under £25,000 in Wales.
Family Fund, Unit 4, Alpha Court, Monks Cross Drive, Huntingdon, York, YO32 9WN.
0845 130 4542 www.familyfund.org.uk
Family Holiday Association
Families must be on a low income, have at least one child aged 3 years or over and not have had a holiday for 4 years. Application forms are available from the website and by mail and are only accepted from referring agencies (social workers, health visitors, schools etc).
Family Holiday Association, 16 Mortimer Street, London, W1T 3JL.
020 7436 3304 www.fhaonline.org.uk
Happy Days Holidays
You can apply for funding for a family holiday if you have a child or children aged between 3-17 years with special needs. These are one week holidays by the seaside or in the countryside, usually in the UK. Applications can be made by parents, guardians, grandparents, siblings or professionals.
01582 755999 www.happydayscharity.org
Cerebra Holiday Home
Cerebra has its own holiday home in Wales. You can apply for a week’s free holiday there, but your application has to be supported by professionals (eg. Child’s GP, teacher etc.) You have to apply in January for a holiday the following year!
0800 328 1159 www.cerebra.org.uk
