Vacation sounds dreamy...until you're the parent of a neurodivergent child navigating airports, new hotels, unfamiliar foods, and a completely blown-up routine. I see this in my practice all the time, and I've lived it myself. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to make family travel not just survivable, but genuinely good for your child and for you.
I'm walking you through seven practical, real-world strategies for vacationing with neurodivergent kids, whether your child has ADHD, autism, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, or any combination of the above. From building visual itineraries to packing a sensory toolkit to giving yourself permission to ditch the perfect-trip fantasy. This is the travel prep conversation I wish someone had given me sooner.
Here's my reminder to you before we dive in: messy doesn't equal failure. And your family absolutely deserves to make memories.
In This Episode, I Cover:
Why neurodivergent kids struggle with travel, plus what's really happening in their brains when routines break down
How I recommend building a visual itinerary that actually reduces your child's anxiety before the trip even starts
What I always put in a sensory toolkit (and why it's non-negotiable carry-on luggage)
How to choose accommodations that set your whole family up for success
The honest conversation I think every parent needs to have with their child before you leave and why overpromising a perfect trip backfires
How to recognize early dysregulation and use exit strategies without guilt
Why self-care isn't selfish on a family vacation and how I actually make it happen
Mentioned in this episode:
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