Sensory-Friendly Travel
Travel can be hard for anyone, especially for families or kiddos with sensory differences. However, vacation time is still important! Vacations can improve physical and mental health, well-being, motivation, relationships, and happiness, and decrease burnout (Isham, 2021). We have a few tips for those who want to get out on a vacation but need some help overcoming the sensory barriers.
For those who want to practice boarding and live in Minnesota, Navigating MSP is a program created by the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Fraser, and the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM), that allows you to experience TSA security screening procedures, explore the terminal, board a plane and meet a pilot, prepare for takeoff, and gather helpful tips and resources. If you live in another area and want to practice. Delta and American Airlines also offer practice-boarding services. Some other companies such as JSX, Breeze, and Autism-Double Checked will hold events to allow families to practice boarding. Look up “which airports practice offer practice boarding” or “which airlines offer practice boarding” to learn more about specific airports or airlines in your area.
We want to emphasize leaving room for sensory and other activities that will allow your child to release their energy or receive the sensory input they seek the most. This may mean allowing time for them to do heavy work before boarding the plane. A great option for this is having them push or pull your suitcase around the airport. Perhaps the airport has a child-friendly area where they can crawl around on playground equipment or jump across the floor. MSP has play areas- that include a mock airplane- where children can do gross-motor sensory-seeking activities. For those who need something more calming, MSP also has a dedicated sensory room that features soothing lighting, comfortable seating, and interactive sensory elements. Allowing your child time to receive their input before boarding the plane will help reduce the need for them to seek those larger sensory-seeking movements when it may not be possible. Remember to give them ample time to do this AND get back to a calming level before boarding. We recommend working backward with time; start from boarding and work your way back to see how many hours you need to ensure time for all of your travel and sensory exploration. Giving yourself extra time in every part of the travel process is important.
Another great idea is to pack a sensory travel kit. Sensory travel kits are great for always having on-the-go sensory tools. This can be used beyond vacations too such as long car rides, waiting rooms, or anywhere else your kiddo may need it. While there are businesses that sell sensory travel kits, you can also create your own. Below are a few suggestions for a DIY sensory travel kit.
Some parents may feel as if these tools may be distracting to those around them. However, when tools such as fidgets are used appropriately, children can better manage their sensory issues, anxiety, and attention by redirecting their energy to the provided objects rather than the environment around them (Biel, 2017). Another example- rather than your child kicking their seat to receive proprioceptive input, you can replace that action with a weighted object such as a blanket or stuffed animal- like a Warmie.
Sensory-Friendly Vacation Spots
If you are still a bit worried, some vacation destinations emphasize an inclusive space for those with special needs. If you are interested in these types of places, we have provided a list below. Please ensure you do your research before booking anything!
Beaches Resorts: Beaches has a childcare program for typically developing and children with special needs. They are the first resort to be an Advanced Certified Autism Center (ACAC) to serve those with autism as well as those with sensory sensitivities. They also have sensory guides available for download for a few of their resorts, including Turks and Caicos, Negril, and Ocho Rios.
LEGOLAND Resorts: LEGOLAND is another CAC, applicable across their Theme Parks, Water Park, and three of their on-site hotels. Just like Beaches, they also have sensory guides for these attractions.
Great Wolf Lodge: Although Great Wolf Lodge is not a CAC yet; they are in the process of doing so and have partnered with that same organization to create sensory guides for each slide, pool, ride, attraction, show, and activity they have. They have locations across the US including California, Arizona, Florida, Texas, and even a location in Canada.
Karisma Hotels: Many of the Karisma hotels have been deemed ‘Autism Ready’ by Autism Double-Checked (ADC), a company that provides training for the hospitality industry. This means that staff at certain Karisma hotels are trained to expect the unexpected, be non-judgmental and autism-inclusive, and deal with the kind of real, everyday situations that you may encounter when away from home with your child. Karisma hotels are located throughout Mexico.
Autism on the Seas: This organization partnered with the Royal Caribbean cruise line to accommodate adults and families living with children with special needs, including, but not limited to, Autism, Down Syndrome, Tourette Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and all cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities. While on the cruise, staff help with typical and respite care, and vacationers with accommodations are offered expedited boarding, a private safety drill, priority dinner seating, private activities with fewer crowds, and reserved show seating.
These are just a few options for vacation and travel. There are many more out there! One of the easiest ways to find a travel destination or vacation that will work for you and your child is by simply typing in your destination/hotel line/preferred activities, then tacking on ‘sensory-friendly’ at the end. Quite a few options will pop up as well as reviews from families who have participated in just what you are looking for. Traveling can be hard, so let’s not make it more challenging. Use these new strategies to make vacation a little less stressful… and have fun!
References
Biel, L. (2017). Fidget toys or focus tools. Autism File. https://www.sensorysmarts.com/AADJun17.pdf
Isham, K. (2021). Importance of taking a vacation. Allina Health. https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/thrive/importance-of-taking-a-vacation
