Going on a family trip is a great bonding experience and can include the most memorable events of a person’s life. Children are so excited to be out of school and go on adventures, while parents are both anxious and looking forward to a fun (and safe!) trip with the family.

Parents may find that traveling with kids can be quite difficult, but taking children with special needs on a trip can be even more challenging. But if you’re a parent of a child with special needs, don’t let that challenge stop you from showing the rest of the world to your child. Of course, it won’t be a literal and figurative walk in the park, but it can be more manageable with the below tips.

1. Be excited!

Traveling is such a fun way to discover things and maybe learn a thing or two about your children. It’s natural to be hesitant about traveling with a child with special needs, but you can also be excited at the same time. Try to use both your anxiety and excitement to make the trip as memorable as possible for the whole family.

2. Prepare your child with “play” or “trial” trips.

The changes in scenery, new sounds, and new people may overwhelm your child during your travels. So before the actual trip, try preparing them by showing them photos and videos of what they can expect to see on your trip, like the sights on the way there, the vehicle, your accommodations, etc. Doing so can help relieve some of your child’s stress about going to a new and unknown place.

If you’re planning on going on a cross-country or an international trip, consider going on "trial" trips first. Try going on shorter road trips to try to show your child what to expect when traveling. This is a good way to see what can trigger them and what can relieve their stress or calm them down.

3. Planning ahead is key.

This is a general rule for any trip with children: plan ahead. Although parents of special needs children may take this rule a step further by planning rest stops for road trips or booking flight seats near the entry and lavatories. Doing your research ahead of time on your travel destination and transportation options can save you from potentially challenging moments ahead. You cannot always plan for every scenario, but you can still create a checklist of what your child may need on the trip, which should include the following:

• Prescription drugs and other essential medical supplies

• A copy of your child’s medical certificate from their doctor in case of an emergency.

• Contact details of your child’s doctor and health insurance

• Map of nearest drugstores or clinics in case you run out of the needed medication

  4. Know what overwhelms your child and what their coping mechanisms are.

This is somewhat connected to tips 2 and 3 above. The trial trip can help you know what certain things may trigger meltdowns or anxiety attacks and what you can do to help your child when they experience one or the other. Make sure to include in your checklist things like noise-canceling headphones, a mobile device, their security blanket, or favorite toy.

5. Prepare a go-to bag for your child.

If your child prefers music or videos to soothe them, make sure that they are already downloaded and saved on a tablet or mobile phone. Also, include offline entertainment like coloring books and crayons, snacks, reading books, or their favorite toys. Don’t forget to add their go-to comfort snacks and water as well. It’s best to keep everything in one carry-on bag, especially if you’re traveling by airplane, so whenever your child needs something, you can just reach from under your airplane seat to get it.

6. Don’t hesitate to communicate your family’s needs.

Communicating your needs is a must if you want your family trip to be more manageable. It’s not uncommon for those in the hospitality industry to provide special accommodations for families with children with special needs. All you need to do is ask in advance, so they can make the necessary preparations. If you’re traveling by air, make sure to properly communicate the situation to flight attendants, so they’re aware and can be of better assistance to you and your family.

7. Plan a time for rest and connection.

Sometimes, parents tend to forget that the trip is a family trip, so they should have time to relax, too. No trip can be perfect, so don’t expect perfection. Make sure to plan rest days or rest times during your travels so you and your child don’t get too tired and worked up. When your child is napping or sleeping, you can order room service, put your feet up, and chat with your partner. If you have other kids, you can use that time to bond with them over board games or bedtime stories.

There is no secret formula for a perfect trip, whether you are going solo, as a couple or with your family. The same goes with traveling with children with special needs. Of course, it can be more challenging, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from enjoying the great big world out there. All you can do is try your best to prepare for your trip and get ready to go on that adventure with your child.

Post Written By: Bash Sarmiento