Most parents out there with a special needs child very likely understand just how nerve-wracking and difficult it can be to disrupt their routine, especially to take them completely out of their element and home base to go on vacation.
When you flip the coin to the other side, though, and make the effort to prepare as much as you can for the family, it can also work out to be quite an empowering process for most parents and families, because it really works to open up a whole new world of possibilities where both you and your child can see and experience something new and exciting.
More from LittleThings: Want To Know The Best Time To Upgrade Your Flight? Flight Attendants Share Their Secret
There are lots of things to think about before you even step foot on an airplane or into the car, so let’s dive right into some great tips for making vacation travel easier with a special needs child.
Plan, plan, plan, but also let go of those perfect expectations and open yourself up to new experiences.
One thing that should help your pre-trip anxieties is planning out everywhere you’re going, on what days, and how you’re going to get there.
If you’re flying, when booking your tickets, you can let the airline know that you’re flying with a child who has special needs, and they can help you get comfortably situated before you even step foot on the plane. Letting them know ahead of time will likely allow them to seat you in an area near the front and close to the bathrooms for easy access.
It will also help to make for a more seamless process to properly map out your entire trip, including car accommodations and lodgings, so your child’s needs can be accommodated if you’re traveling with a kid in a wheelchair or another physical disability that requires specific travel or vehicle allocations.
And while you’re doing your trip planning, it can’t hurt to speak to your child and explain to them what’s coming up for them around the bend. This will help them mentally prepare as much as they can, and it can also help relieve some of that pressure you might feel to make things perfect.
A couple of weeks before your trip, create a packing checklist and start ticking things off.
We all know that when you’re packing for a trip, there are always going to be those last-minute items, such as your most-worn clothing items and everyday toiletries, that need to go into the suitcase pretty much the day before the trip. But there are certainly other items that you can pack, especially when you’re packing for a family, that you can think about beforehand.
For example, when you pause to think about children in general, let alone children with special needs, it will likely come to mind that you may need some extras in a number of areas. Whether that be undergarments or T-shirts, you can certainly grab some of those additional items that might be needed and stash them away in their suitcase a week or two early.
If your child requires a wheelchair or a walking assistance device, you likely won’t have extras, but it may be a good time to do a little check-in and make sure they’re in good condition for a trip away. The same thing goes if your child travels with a computer or listening device that helps them communicate with others.
Be sure to put any items that your child finds comforting, whether it be a book they always want to read or a stuffed animal, at the top of the checklist, because you’re bound to have some difficult moments where they will come in handy.
Always consult your child’s physicians and specialists for advice and to stock up on medications and must-have items for travel.
One thing that can help you to feel a lot better about traveling with a child who has special needs is a trip to their doctor or specialist beforehand.
If this is your first trip away, this is the time to ask for any advice and health-related information that you need to think about before taking them on an airplane or a long-haul journey in a car. Doctors and specialists usually have a wealth of helpful knowledge and can often be your own personal cheerleader for putting both yourself and your child out there to experience life a little more.
Also, it certainly doesn’t hurt to get a list of prescriptions and any medications that your child is on and a notice of refills just in case anything gets lost in transit. You can even have your doctor give you a formal letter or doctor’s note putting down on paper what condition your child has and any special requirements they have for travel, which may come in handy when you’re at the airport.
Be sure to plan a day of rest every two to three days throughout your trip.
As parents, we all know just how much everyday life can tire us out, but when you’re in a new place and trying to care for a special needs child, you have to literally give yourself and your family a break and actually schedule some much-needed downtime.
If you’re headed to a resort for a week, be sure to have at least two days that week when you’re just hanging out by the pool or even in your room with the television on and air conditioning blasting.
Both you and your child will need that extra rest so you can better prepare for the busier days of the trip when things are a little more hectic and you’re away from the hotel more.
If you’re staying with family, don’t be afraid to ask them for what you need.
It’s also important to remember that if you’re going on a trip to visit a family member and stay with them for an extended period of time, it always helps to have a phone or Zoom call beforehand to lay out what that might look like for your child.
You really shouldn’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and let them know certain things about your lifestyle and things that your child requires. It doesn’t mean that they have to head out to the store to get a bunch of things or even rearrange their lives for you, but most loved ones you’re staying with will understand your special circumstances and be mindful of what your child needs to live comfortably, and they will work to accommodate that.
If you need to explain things more than once, try to come from a patient and communicative place because, at the end of the day, you always want to lead with love while also being firm in your child’s needs. They need their parent to come through for them at every stop.
