Going on Holiday With a Neurodivergent Child

Neurodiversity can present something of a challenge when you’re planning a holiday. Not all holiday experiences have been designed with the particular needs of neurodivergent children in mind. Getting a good result for your family, therefore, often means doing a little bit of research and preparation.

In too many cases, the challenges are seen as reasons to never go on holiday with a neurodivergent child at all. But these would be a shame, given the life-improving benefits that going on holiday can bring.

Let’s take a look at how we might approach this task.

Why Holidays Can Feel More Complex for Neurodivergent Families

The primary challenge stems from the disruption caused by going on holiday. Neurodivergent children might be highly dependent on a particular routine, and travel can quickly throw that routine into chaos. At the same time, changes in the environment can generate uncertainty that neurodivergent children quickly fixate on.

These pressures are felt by just about every family in this position, and the good news is that they can be easily managed. You’ll need to anticipate potential sources of stress and triggers – but to share the emotional load of doing so.

Choosing the Right Holiday Style for Your Child’s Needs

You’ll need to look into the factors that matter to your child. Your accommodation will need to provide enough space and exclude outside noise and other challenging stimuli. It’s rarely a good idea to crowd your itinerary. Carve out some free time every day, so that you can take a break when you need to. Preserve as many of the rituals and daily habits that you go through at home. If you eat the same thing at breakfast, this can provide a reassuring consistency.

Many families opt to stay for longer in self-contained accommodation and purpose-built holiday resorts. This doesn’t always mean spending a great deal of money; however, for many families, opting for cheap holidays that allow flexibility, extra space, and familiar routines can make travel far more manageable and enjoyable.

Planning Ahead to Create a Calmer, Happier Experience

It might be that certain awkward aspects of your trip can’t be avoided. Instead, you’ll want to take steps to minimise the surprises and to prepare your children for what’s coming. You can do this in an age-appropriate way with the help of visual aids and schedules. Show your children pictures of what they’ll be seeing and doing.

In some cases, you’ll need to react to a developing situation and change your plans at the last minute. Don’t feel guilty about doing this. After all, success here rests on the experience you have, rather than your ability to work your way through a checklist of activities.