For the past few years, I have faced a challenge that many parents with autistic children experience - taking the family on holiday with my 10-year-old daughter, who is on the autism spectrum. While wanting to choose a destination that the rest of the family will enjoy, I always consider the needs of my autistic daughter first. Although she is not severely on the spectrum, she struggles to control her emotions.
I am always acutely aware of the other guests' reactions to a child who is louder and more boisterous than other children, which can be considered unruly. What I have learned is that the staff are always accommodating, and 99% of the time, so are the other guests. However, there have been the odd occasions when fellow guests have given me an odd glance when she becomes rowdy.
Not everyone is comfortable around children who are considered to be "different" – however, I believe that these children should not be hidden from society, and it is no longer acceptable for society to shun them. Considering that nowadays one-in-a-hundred children born is somewhere on the spectrum – whether with Asperger's, ADHD, or autism – society needs to be conscious of the fact that, like all families, those with children who have special needs also travel and take vacations. Children with autism are sensitive to sounds and textures, which can compound these challenges, and parents need to anticipate how this will affect their children.
Changes in routine and surroundings can lead to h.
