ASD can i claim if i cancel holiday

tori.k

If it any consolation in our case our youngest now 15 that has autism is actually better away then when he's at home usually as it unfamiliar territory so is more receptive, first long haul was interesting but some decent headphones, food and dvds kept him entertained just long enough. Ive always found airport officials/staff really good with him, with all the kids really.

shegirl

tori.k wrote: »

If it any consolation in our case our youngest now 15 that has autism is actually better away then when he's at home usually as it unfamiliar territory so is more receptive, first long haul was interesting but some decent headphones, food and dvds kept him entertained just long enough. Ive always found airport officials/staff really good with him, with all the kids really.

Have to say that DS is better at Haven than at home,but it's because everything is laid out,there are timetables for activities set out before and there is so much for him to see and try to join in with.

Travelling though,now travelling isn't good lol

tori.k

we've learned the hard way with travelling the build-up to a holiday is the worse time so now nobody mentions it we just get up and go before he has time to over think it. his first flight we did a 25min hop from Newquay airport to the isles of scilly, second Bristol to Spain, and then longhaul from Gatwick so he knew the workings of the airport by then. we would never attempt Heathrow tho. Off to France by ferry with him this year he loves boats& water so it shouldn't be a problem...touch wood

duchy

If your doctors says that due to (still undiagnosed) ASD your son is not fit to travel to a beach resort....wouldn't that declaration invalidate any insurance for him for DLP too ? Just a thought.

That said I really do think you are still at the "freaked" stage and need some proper support like a local parents run ASD support group to talk to parents who have been where you are now as it is very easy to feel isolated and meeting people who know what this stage feels like can be very valuable not just for practical advice but for empathy and seeing first hand that life does go on and isn't going to be as abnormal as your imagination thinks

shegirl

tori.k wrote: »

we've learned the hard way with travelling the build-up to a holiday is the worse time so now nobody mentions it we just get up and go before he has time to over think it. his first flight we did a 25min hop from Newquay airport to the isles of scilly, second Bristol to Spain, and then longhaul from Gatwick so he knew the workings of the airport by then. we would never attempt Heathrow tho. Off to France by ferry with him this year he loves boats& water so it shouldn't be a problem...touch wood

Ds is fine on trains, but has a problem with normal travel now as he doesn't like stopping.

When we're going on holiday it's not so bad as he gets excited.

So much easier when he was little lol

greenface

Planes are our sons best forms of travel TBH as he doesnt like turning left . Hahaha . Mankchester to New York = 4 left turns . JFK to 42nd = 40+

meer53

dannyboy1974 wrote: »

Thanks for all your responses. The reason we thought of DLP is that my brother in law and his family have been before and we could all go together and have some more support!!!

We are still keeping our options open and have been told by the Insurance Company that if my sons doctor confirms it wouldn't be medically right for him to travel then we could claim on our policy.

We have already changed the booking to great cost as we were staying in a resort which would be very noisy (ie kids based accommodation) and also travel to the hotel would have been 1.5-2 hours so now we are only 30 mins away and have booked a taxi to take us to the resort. We don't want to cancel but fear has gripped us and we deal with him daily and we worry.

Don't cancel then, Just go and see what happens, you won't know until you try it. If it's too stressful, you'll know for next time. You learn form your experiences, if you don't even try you will never go anywhere ever again.

simongregson

I think you should go. We have a 5 year old with ASD and have been taking him on holiday since about 1 1/2, before he was diagnosed. The sooner you get him used to the idea the less problem it will be as it becomes part of your routines that sometimes you go away.


We've had some interesting trips and the first time he went abroad we were supposed to be there for 2 nights and ended up stuck for 7 due to the volcanic eruption, he was fine and just sat on the beach making sandcastles and ate pizzas, we were far more stressed out than he was!


Disneyland would be a nightmare for our son due to the crowds but if he likes Disney characters then it might be a good idea.


Just take the normal precautions with balconies, don't let him on them unsupervised. Let the holiday company know he is autistic - Thomson in particular were fantastic with this and sat him where we asked on the plane so he didn't bother other passengers and let us board after everybody else so he didn't have to wait ages for take off, the hotel will probably put you in a ground floor room if you are really worried and ask them.


Have a nice holiday!