Help with the holidays: A neurodiverse approach

Holiday tips for neurodivergent kids

Traveling with a neurodivergent child requires careful planning and consideration to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Check out these tips for easier car journeys.

Here are some tips for going on holiday with your neurodivergent child:

IT’S ALL ABOUT PLANNING…

• Planning

It sounds like a schlepp, but if you can, try to plan your days in advance and communicate the plan with your children. Or even better, get them to help you plan! Discuss details about the destination, activities, and schedule. Encourage them to express their feelings and concerns, and be ready to adapt plans accordingly.

• Create a visual itinerary

Create a visual schedule or itinerary to help your child understand the plan for each day. A small whiteboard is a great way to show what’s happening on the day when you get there.

• Choose a Suitable Destination and Accommodation:

This may sound trite, but consider your child’s sensory preferences and sensitivities when selecting a destination. Some neurodivergent children may be more comfortable in quieter or less crowded environments.

Choose accommodation that caters to your child’s needs. Think about activities available and the rooms you will be staying in. If your child is sound sensitive, ask for a room that is in the quietist section of the hotel.

• Packing

Pack familiar items from home, such as a favourite blanket, stuffed animal, or comfort toy. These items can provide a sense of security in an unfamiliar environment. Remember to pack all necessary medications and any special dietary needs. Ensure you have enough supplies for the entire trip, including any unexpected delays.

• Create a ‘ Holiday Backpack’

Stock a backpack full of new, novel activities that you can pull out during downtime/rainy days or when you just need a break. This can include a new colouring book, a wordsearch or a craft. You can even create a ‘treasure hunt check list’ for your holiday destination for example if you are going to the beach: ‘ Find 5 shells. Find 1 piece of driftwood. Throw away 3 pieces of rubbish.

Here is a link to a free resource to print off colouring in pages, word searches, crosswords etc that you can include in the backpack.
You can even tailor it to the theme of your trip – try a beach or bush themed word search!

• Holiday ‘Snack packs’

If your child craves sugar and is always begging for something more, include a ‘snack pack’ for the day. Pack the sweet treats and snacks for the day in a ziplock bag. They get their snack pack at the beginning of the day and can choose when to have it – when it’s done, it’s done.

• Holiday Rules

Collaborate with your children to create a list of holiday rules. You can even role-play social scenarios. What is acceptable and what is not. How to treat the hotel room with respect? What are the expectations when going to restaurants. Write these rules down visually and take them along with you. Put them in a space where you can easily access them on your holiday.

• Research Local Resources:

Look into local resources at your destination, such as support groups, therapists, or sensory-friendly activities. This can be helpful in case you need assistance during your stay.

WHEN YOU GET THERE

1. Lower your expectations.

It’s ok. It might not be what you visualise as your perfect holiday and it’s going to take work, but if you lower your expectations it might just surprise you.

• Quiet Spaces:

When you arrive, identify quiet spaces at your destination where your child can retreat if they need a break.

• Routine

Neurodivergent kids thrive on routine. When possible, try to keep to their routine from home – e.g. dinner, bath, story, bed. If you’re not able to, write down the schedule they are going to follow for that day.

• Warn about changes

Change in schedule or routine can often rock the boat. Is the rain going to dampen that beach visit? Anticipate and talk to your child about when changes might happen and what the alternative is. You may need to remind them multiple times and change it visually on their schedule.

• Downtime:

Recognise the importance of downtime for your child. Schedule breaks between activities to allow time for relaxation and self-regulation.

• Go With The Flow:

This is a tough one. You’ve planned to go to the beach, then you’ve booked at a restaurant and after that it’s a tour of the local museum. Hold your horses. It might just not work out today, but that’s ok, take a breath and go with the flow.

Remember that flexibility and patience are essential when traveling with a neurodivergent child. Every child is unique, so tailor your approach to meet their specific needs and preferences. By planning ahead and being proactive, you can create a positive and inclusive holiday experience for your family.