How to Make Travel Smoother for Kids with Special Needs

Many parents feel the pressure to plan and execute a perfect family vacation, and planning can feel complicated enough when you’re looking for the best hotels and things to do. But when you’re also trying to accommodate a child with special needs, it can quickly become overwhelming.

The good news is that the travel and hospitality industry has caught up in recent years and is making more effort and allowances for travelers who have special needs. But that doesn’t mean you can’t help along the process on your own with some advance preparation.

Travel Tips for a Child with Special Needs

Talk to Your Pediatrician

Get in touch with your pediatrician to go over the details of your trip and anything else you or they might need to know in advance. Come armed with a list of questions, including whether it’s safe for your child to travel, any recommendations for doctors in your destination in case of an emergency, and any local issues to be aware of. Your doctor may have ideas that you hadn’t considered before on how to prepare for situations that range from sensory processing disorder to severe diabetes. It’s also a good way to stay on your pediatrician’s radar in case you need to put in an emergency call while you’re gone.

Consider Your Child’s Triggers

We all have triggers that stress us out, from crowded airports to loud noises. But kids with special needs may feel overwhelmed and debilitated by their own triggers, even as they’re learning better techniques to cope. For instance, if your child has a noise sensitivity, some noise-canceling headphones, a device to keep them occupied or a long road trip instead of a plane ride may be in order. Kids who have trouble handling crowds may need more time to get through the airport and a chance to step away and regroup. The more you can work around your child’s triggers, the more likely you are to find ways to soothe your child at a moment’s notice.

Call Ahead

There are plenty of options for kids with special needs at amusement parks, hotels and more. Disney offers a Disability Access Service (DAS) pass to help travelers with disabilities and special needs avoid long wait times. Meanwhile, hotels often have entire floors with hypoallergenic sheets, towels and cleaners for sensitive guests. Call ahead or work with a travel planner to find the best solution for your child.

Allow Extra Time

Many kids with special needs don’t like to be rushed, whether they have a medical condition that slows their pace, a physical complication that impairs mobility or a sensory-related issue. Although that doesn’t mean they want to be slowed down and forced to wait, they often need to move at their own speed. Give your family extra time, especially in crowded areas like airports, amusement parks and major attractions, so they feel they’re going at a comfortable pace to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Bring Creature Comforts

Many children get homesick at some point during a family vacation and want a comforting item to remind them of home. But a special keepsake or toy can also help a child with special needs feel soothed and anchored during their travels. Bring along a favorite stuffed animal or toy, and remember that a familiar television show or favorite food can also make your child feel more at home and in control of their environment.

Do a Trial Run

It’s possible to stage a dry run of your family vacation with a little creativity. If you’re planning for a long road trip, go through the packing process with your child. Assure them all their special toys and snacks will be packed, show them where they will sit in the car and go over what to expect. Then take a short drive to get them comfortable with the idea, even if it means heading to the airport.

Many airports offer rehearsal programs to travelers with special needs, along with sensory rooms, to help them cope. But even if you can’t find such services and programs, you can still enter the airport and show your child how you’ll check in at the kiosk and what the security line looks like. After a little practice, they’ll feel like old pros.

Adjust Your Expectations

Even the calmest of travelers has bad days and occasional meltdowns. Remember that your child is courageous but also vulnerable. If a meltdown or issue pops up, just take a deep breath and roll with it as best you can. And remember: At the end of the day, a family vacation is supposed to be about making memories together — not perfection.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family travel tips on Ciao Bambino

8 ways to reduce stress when flying with kids

Tips for healthy travel with kids

Our top picks for kids’ travel gear

Why family travel insurance is more important than ever

International travel with kids: emergency preparedness tips

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.