My Favorite Vacation Planning Tips for Special Needs Families

by JoleneApr 22, 2024Holidays, How-Tos, Special Needs Parenting0 comments

Are you traveling this summer? Jolene provides her favorite vacation planning tips for special needs families.

My favorite vacation planning tips for special needs families were put to good use this past January and February. Our original idea was a 3-generation trip to Disney World over spring break. Due to some health issues we weren’t sure would be resolved beforehand and because we wanted maximum enjoyment and may good memories for the grandkids, one of whom lives with autism, anxiety, and ADHD, we decided to vacay closer to home. These 10 planning tips helped us make spring break the happiest place on earth for everyone in our family.

Tip #1

Less is more. Choosing a destination that was a drivable distance meant less money spent on travel and more to spend on fun attractions, as well as more time enjoying them. Less travel time also meant less cranky kids when we arrived at our destination.

Tip #2

Research, research, research. This allowed us to find lodging that best met our family members’ needs and our budget. It also helped us compile a list of kid- and disability-friendly attractions in different possible destinations so we could make the best choice for our family. You can do the same for your family so everyone can participate fully.

Tip #3

Book a rental home instead of a hotel. Rental homes tend to provide family gathering spaces and quiet areas where kids with sensory issues can recharge and avoid meltdowns. Food can be refrigerated and/or prepared for those with special dietary needs. Laundry facilities are often available—a godsend for kids with special toileting needs. Rental homes are often cheaper than hotels, too. A favorite feature in our rental was a clean and airy basement where the kids could go to roughhouse and be as noisy as their hearts desired.

To find the rest of my favorite vacation planning tips for special needs families, visit the Key Ministry Website.

Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the monthly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email.

Photo by Limor Zellermayer on Unsplash

By Jolene

Jolene Philo is the author of several books for the caregiving community. She speaks at parenting and special needs conferences around the country. Sharing Love Abundantly with Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities, which she co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman, was released in August of 2019 and is available at local bookstores, their bookstore website, and Amazon. See Jane Dance!, the third book in the West River cozy mystery series, which features characters affected by disability, was released in October of 2023.