Holidaying With A Child With Additional Needs

I have a now sixteen year old son with additional needs. He has Down's Syndrome. Naturally, because of this and because he attends a school for pupils who have additional needs, I speak to lots of other parents whose children also have additional needs and it has really made me realise over the years how different this situation is for each parent and how the needs of our children vary. How for some their daily lives aren't affected much at all, whilst for others, what seems the simplest of tasks for others, is a virtual impossibility to them. I also speak to many parents for whom the thought of being able to take their child on holiday seems overwhelming.

I'm probably luckier than many. I have two younger children (as well as two older than my sixteen year old) and that has meant to some extent I've had to 'just get on with it' because I have to consider the needs of all my children. My son can have behavioural problems, which isn't something that people who haven't experienced Down's Syndrome always know can be a problem, but it is. Luckily, unlike many children with additional needs he is much easier at home and seems more settled in that environment than school and I know that for a lot of children, behaviour masking happens at school and then they let everything out once at home when they are with their ever trusted and safe parent, which obviously leaves that parent to cope.

So what about holidays or travel? It's definitely something a lot of parents, even of young children with no additional needs find daunting. Luckily, it's also something that companies and resorts are becoming aware of and it's definitely something that I am aware of. Over the years I've learned what works and doesn't work for my family but I know only too well that that for another family the challenges will be entirely different and it can be exhausting spending hours trawling the internet to find a family holiday that fits your needs. My own family have become big fans of Disneyland Paris because it is a short flight from the UK, offers discounts for those who need a carer and also has a great access system in place and there are also, perhaps surprisingly, good ways to do a trip like this if you need access to quieter areas to have a break without having to be stuck in your room for half the day. If a beach holiday, a cruise or even discovering another country is more your style, then there are ways to do these too. If even a UK break seems too much to deal with, I'm more than happy to help with that. One of the things I really wanted to do as a Travel Counsellor was to help other parents whose children have additional needs and who want to travel to be able to. I've made sure I'm as up to date as I can be on more accessible travel options and perhaps just as importantly, I am willing to take the time to listen to exactly what is is you want and need and how I can make things that little bit easier for you.