ASD can i claim if i cancel holiday

duchy

I do think you're probably a bit freaked -and understandably so- when the word Autism is mentioned we get on line and read EVERYTHING and think it ALL is going to apply to our child. (I promise you it doesn't ! )The autistic spectrum is very very wide - your son is displaying SOME characteristics which is why there is further testing and investigation- however he's TWO . Two year olds have no sense of danger -they have meltdowns - a non autistic two year old can be just as demanding in these ways as an ASD child of the same age. A two year old on a long journey is going to be restless and want to escape and possibly tantrum -ANY two year old nothing to do with possible ASD (and personally I think two is too young for a firm diagnosis anyway )

If the holiday is to Disneyland Paris it's very well set up for children with and without disabilities - they even make provision for not having to stand in line as long as other parkgoers and most of the hotels don't even HAVE balconies - and if your room does - do what everyone else with any other two year old does - keep it locked . That's nothing to do with ASD it's simple commonsense with a four year old and a two year old.

On a lighter note I lost my son briefly at Disney World - I found him thirty seconds later - standing absorbed in the model train that runs around the Germany pavillion and weeing in a big arc over the train track "to make another tunnel Mum" as the train passed under. We were crying with laughter and we explained he really shouldn't be doing that - He's now twenty two and I have to remind my friends not to retell that story as he's on FB too but that was honestly the worst thing that happened on our travels and we've travelled extensively with him in the US and Europe both as a family and just him and me after his Dad and I seperated. He loves travelling and seeing new places and I think it would be a shame if you deprived your son (and by extension your daughter) of the same sort of experiences when there may be no good reason to do so. The main thing as he gets older is to remember ASD kids in general like routine and hate surprises (good and bad) so planning the holiday and talking about what you are going to be doing all makes it easier and more fun .....but at two my best advice would be - take your own buggy and some familiar stuff like toys and blankets and go with the flow and have FUN !

jackyann

I would talk to either your paediatrician - or better - your specialist nurse or psychologist. They can support you in managing behaviour in these circumstances.
However, I think it reasonable to want to take things slowly and not undertake a major holiday with lots of change whilst you are coming to terms with the diagnosis and its implications.
I would talk to your insurance company & explain. I think they might be sympathetic, and you won't know until you try.

JimmyTheWig

OP, I think it would be helpful to give an example of some of your concerns.
What is it about your child's behaviour that you think will be a problem?

sulkisu

I think you would be a very strange parent indeed, if you weren't a little panicked at the moment. You have to deal with this (your son's diagnosis) in the way that works for you and if 'mentally getting the cotton wool out' is where you are at, then that's fine. I suspect that many parents in your shoes were the same at some point.


I do not have a child with ASD (although for a while I thought my nearly 3 year old was Autistic), but I do think that at his age while he is that much easier to control (not to say he will be difficult in years to come), you should grab the opportunity to travel.


Hotels do sometimes mess up, it's true, but a large family orientated destination like Disneyland will be able to accommodate you, even if it means moving others around. Alternatively if you are worried about the noise and additional stimuli on your son, your holiday company might be able to change your destination instead - perhaps something beach based. Also, if you haven't done so already, there are some good ASD forums online, where other parents of Autistic children will probably be able to advise you on how they coped on holidays (possibly even at Disneyland), with their children.

Caz3121

With regards to the original question, with many policies the cancellation for health reasons may require a doctor to confirm that the patient is advised not to travel
If the doctor is not willing to do this then you may have the choice between travelling as planned or forfeiting the cost of the holiday (or at least any components that are not refundable as per ts&cs)

Lilmiss_2

My son is ASD and it sounds like youre completely freaked out (which is natural) but no, you wont get a refund or be able to claim.
Your son is 2.. at 2 he wont be so different from any other child so as you wont be able to enjoy your holiday the same way as any other parent of any other 2 year old.
Diagnosis will make absolutely no difference to your holiday, no 2 year old has any sense of danger.ASD or no ASD...
Have you contacted the national autistic society as it sounds to me like you could do with support and please.. go enjoy your holiday, your child is the same child you had when you booked your holiday.. no matter what "stories" you tell yourself, this is about your feelings about diagnosis.. NOT your holiday

dannyboy1974

jackyann wrote: »

I would talk to either your paediatrician - or better - your specialist nurse or psychologist. They can support you in managing behaviour in these circumstances.
However, I think it reasonable to want to take things slowly and not undertake a major holiday with lots of change whilst you are coming to terms with the diagnosis and its implications.
I would talk to your insurance company & explain. I think they might be sympathetic, and you won't know until you try.

Thanks we just want options as every day he displays more ASD characteristics

dannyboy1974

I understand all your comments on him being 2 and not knowing danger, tantrums, melt downs as any ordinary 2 year old but he will be 3 when we fly and I honestly think my wife and I are not ready to put HIM and us through a holiday which may upset him and ill be honest we havent booked Disney Land Paris but if we can cancel and claim our money back then I honestly think he would enjoy this more

lindsaygalaxy

Hi

Sorry I hope you don't mind me asking but how did you get a diagnosis at 2 years old and so quickly? Did you go through the doctor who reffered you or through the nursery? I know many professionals do not like to diagnose at such a young age and it's not like you can take a blood test for it?

As to him displaying more characteristics - this often happens once ASD is mentioned and you start looking at information - you start looking for the signs. Many 2/3/4/ year olds (particularly boys) would show signs of ASD - jumping off the sofa, being stubborn/ having to have things their way/ hitting out in a temper/ lining up toys or liking routine.

Taking any 3 year old abroad is challenging, make sure he knows before hand what will happen and that things may change from the plan. Take snacks and somthing to entertain him. Take headphones if he doesnt like loud noises. PLEASE do not stop something you would do normally because of this new diagnosis! I work with lots of children with ASD - some are quiet and withdrawn, some seem like every other child but will lash out of they dont get their own way and some need 1:1 care because they can find life more challenging and need someone to support them. The ASD range is huge.

shegirl

dannyboy1974 wrote: »

I understand all your comments on him being 2 and not knowing danger, tantrums, melt downs as any ordinary 2 year old but he will be 3 when we fly and I honestly think my wife and I are not ready to put HIM and us through a holiday which may upset him and ill be honest we havent booked Disney Land Paris but if we can cancel and claim our money back then I honestly think he would enjoy this more

But it's the diagnosis (which is way too early!) That is making you thinking it will be bad for him.

When my son was 2 he was a doddle in comparison,I could take him on 4 hour train journeys and he would be fine.I could take him to various places because he was more shelled then and not taking much notice.

That changed,it really changed.

Things that scare him/are too much for him now are not things that bothered him when he was a toddler (aside from food,noise etc)