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our son is 11 and is autistic.  we love camping and it works really well for us as a family as the tent is always the same (autistic people aren't so keen on change) even if we go to different sites.  our dog can come along too, unlike going abroad.

what is often a problem is when we go to sites where there are a lot of kids as our son can't cope with large groups of children and often gets teased.   he is now at an age  where he wants to be able to play without us hanging around too close but we find it really hard to relax watching him from a distance with other kids.  

do any other members have recommendations for good sites with tolerant campers?

Children tease each other for all reasons not just because of autism I generally put this down to the ignorance of parents not teaching their children that all people are diiferent and that some have more needs than others. If more parents weren't afraid to educate their own children about others "special " qualities there would be more understanding and tolerance of minority groups therefore leading to less prejudice toward the way children re act when around others different to themselves.

Good luck with finding the right place for you to enjoy your time away and allow your son to be himself.

Hi Joker,

Have you thought about rally or DA camping? We have a son with Autisim and like you enjoy camping, we reguarlly go on rallies with the camping and caravanning club we have now got to know a lot of the 'regulars' and they know us and the children. There is a group of children who our children normally play with and they all know our son and are used to his quirks! It does take a few trips to really get to know people but we're not the only ones who have a child who has special needs and generally I find people on the rallies very good and helpful.

Our son has gradually become more comfortable with the children he knows there and gradually seems to mix in with the bigger groups, and if he does start to feel uncomfortable he takes himself back to the caravan for a while, the other children know this and respect his need to be alone at times, sometimes thay will come looking for him and seem to understand if he doesn't feel like joining in.

I have to say we moved house last year but ae still going back to the same DA as the chilldren all enjoy it so much.

As Poppi has already said, sadly some children will always find things to tease each other about.

The other type of site which might be good would be a small '5 up' site as these tend to be much quieter than the commercial sites and if you look around there are plenty that have hook up, and other facilities. 

Good luck

Joty

Joker,

In my experience you can do as much or as little joining in as you want to. No one minds if you keep yourself to yourself or if you join in with everything they arrange.

The DA we go to is very active it was recomended to us, and I know they do differ. It's probably worth giving the DA's local to you a ring, I think most have a contact name in their listings and have a chat about what they do. When we moved I did investigate our local DA but concluded that it wasn't for us and as we already knew the DA we go to it's easier to go back there.

It does take a bit of time, I think it's like any group and to start with you can feel as if everyone knows each other but if you keep going they do get to know you.

I think this a great activity to do and our son loves going, as you said I think being able to take our own stuff helps as he knows it and feels safe with familiar things around him.

Joty