Traveling With A Special Needs Child

Thinking about going on vacation with your family and you are wondering how you can do this when you have a special needs child? This quest is rather daunting, but with careful planning you and your family can have a great vacation that everyone will enjoy.


Tips and Suggestions:

1. Have your child help plan the vacation. That way they can help with the decision making and they feel that they are part of the process. You might be surprised at the great ideas they have on activities and such.

2. Try to keep your daily routine the same to avoid confusion and temper tantrums.

3. Make sure you give your child a daily visual schedule for them to refer to and go over it with them. This lets them know what is going to happen during the day and it will make them feel more secure.

4. Talk with your child prior to activities, restaurants, airports, amusement parks, etc. to prepare them so they will know what will happen. Show them videos, movies, and even have them practice what they will do. You can even visit an airport prior to your trip to allow your child to experience what they will do during your vacation.

5. Always checked the menu outside of restaurants or request one prior to going in. This will allow your child to see what they can eat and they will know exactly what they will order. If there is nothing on the menu that they like, you can easily find another restaurant.

6. Contact where ever you plan to visit to see if they have accommodations for special needs children. See if they have special privileges such as: no waiting in lines, backstage passes, special private tours, day care, etc. Check their handicap facilities: parking, entrances/exits, restrooms/bathrooms, seating, free wheelchair/golf cart transportation, handicapped hotel/motel rooms, etc. And do not forget to see if it is handicapped accessible (ramps, elevators, etc.). Be sure to do this way before hand so you can receive these special accommodations (directions, tickets, passes, etc.) and know exactly how to use them and where you must go.

7. Be sure to have a back pack full of activities, toys, snacks, books, games, stimmy toys, ear plugs, etc. that your child enjoys to keep them busy or when they are feeling a little overwhelmed.


Here are a few links that might be helpful:

Travel with Children with Special Needs

Flying with a Child with Special Needs?

Travel resources for children with special needs

Travel and a Special Needs Child- Travel Accommodations and Services for the Child with a Disability

Transportation Security Information- Children with disabilities and going though security.

Tips & Suggestions- Vacation and Travel for Families with Special Needs Children