Holiday Travel Tips for Kids with Special Needs
Best Ways to Take a Holiday Trip with Disabled Children
Nov 5, 2009
A holiday vacation is usually a highly anticipated activity for families. But for families of children with special needs, even a simple trip can require a lot more planning. Whether a child has a physical disability or a developmental disorder such as autism, traveling can be a positive event when following these holiday travel tips. Here are some ways to help insure a wonderful holiday trip experience with disabled children and their parents.
Holiday Travel Tips – Prepare the Child
Kids with special needs are often anxious about changes in their daily routines. Unexpected surprises will not necessarily be met with enthusiasm. Preparing children with autism or anxiety disorders ahead of time for the holiday trip will benefit them greatly. Talk about the trip’s daily itinerary, places the family will visit, and what the hotel and food will be like.
Another good holiday travel tip is to discuss travel arrangements with the disabled child. Will there be an airplane ride? If so, parents may want to consider a flying software application like the iPhone fear of flying course. Looking at pictures of the destination and talking about the travel plans ahead of time will also help alleviate many nervous feelings.
Planning Ahead of Time for Holiday Trip
A quick phone call by a parent may be all that is necessary to avoid an unpleasant experience. Find out ahead of time if a restaurant has considerations for the physically disabled such as ample aisle space and bathroom accommodations. Make sure that museum and bus tours have sign language interpreters or listening devices available for the hearing impaired. Find out if the transportation used (plane, train, or rental car) can accommodate physical requirements.
Stick to the Routine When Taking a Holiday Trip
As much as possible, keep routines such as bedtimes, wake times, and afternoon naps or rests similar to those at home. If staying at a relative’s home, bring along familiar items such as a favorite blanket or teddy bear (lovey), nightlight, radio, or fan to help the child feel safe and comfortable. Also, review the plans for the day every morning with the child who has special needs.
Holiday Travel Tips – Info Tag for Special Needs Child
In case a child with special needs gets accidentally separated from her parents during the holiday trip, she should have with her some vital information, including the names of parents, caregivers, and grandparents, cell phone numbers, and the name and phone number of the hotel or relative where the family is planning to stay. Written down, this is an important safeguard for a disabled child that cannot communicate the information verbally.
When taking a trip to visit close friends and family this holiday season, make sure to plan ahead, especially if traveling with a child with special needs. Holiday trips can be memorable and fun for disabled children, but only if the holidays are planned well and if routine is incorporated. The holiday travel tips above should help parents of children with disabilities to plan for their vacations.
Readers may also be interested in the following articles:
Classroom Parties and Social Anxiety Disorder
Holiday Celebrations and Autism
Sources:
Myles, Branda Smith and Southwick, Jack, Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments. KS: Autism Asperger Publishing Co., 2005.
Norall, Cynthia La Brie, Quirky, Yes Hopeless, No. NY: St. Martin's Griffin, 2009.
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