Comfort objects are important to many kids. When you travel with a child who has a disability or is neurospicy, comfort objects can make all the difference to the transition process. We began travelling intentionally as a family when my youngest was about five. Why did it take us that long? Well, we were afraid to travel because my younger child has sensory processing disorder and FASD. We thought it would be challenging, and it totally is. BUT, it is also abundantly worth it, and then some.
Watching my daughter make friends with children from all over the world, getting her hair braided in Haiti, racing down waterslides with her at Atlantis and hearing her talk about her adventures with pride, is respite from the daily chaos. So what helped and what changed? We figured out some strategies and comfort objects that helped her when we travelled.
Table of Contents
The Process of Planning
There was a process we went through to get to our special needs travel comfort zone. We built up to the bigger adventures by taking road trips. We had social stories in advance of the trip and rehearsed what would happen. One of the things that helped us most was remembering many strategic comfort objects. The comfort objects we packed, or carried made all the difference.
Why We Worked Up to Travelling
So I thought I’d share a few of the items that always helped with the transitions and the loudness of public spaces, and the tight, uncomfortable, noisy airplanes. And even the nights sleeping in a strange new hotel or resort, or cruise ship. Travel can, and should be, accessible to all. But it often requires more planning when one or more people in your family have special needs.
My youngest has sensory processing disorder and FASD, which I have written about here from time to time. We spent years trying to figure out diagnoses and then years plugging in supports. Trust me when I say, if there’s a segment of the population that needs holidays more than special needs parents, well I have yet to meet them.
My Picks for Comfort Objects for Tiny Special Needs Travellers
Headphones
These can be noise cancelling or otherwise. A really good, sturdy, kid safe set of headphones – preferably a set that collapses and folds up. Use where appropriate. On the van in the way to the airport. Headphones. Right after the flight attendant gives you the okay to put them back on. Headphones. Use a set with a cord because you will be able to use them for in flight movies or TV shows. Helps distract them too when necessary.
Blankets
The best ones we ever found were very simple Gymboree cotton swaddle blankets like these: Gymboree Fun Li’l Blanket
Chewy Necklaces
Check out these chewy necklaces – so super cute. Wish we’d had these when our kids were small. The ones we used were not quite as charming but still worked. This brand is good quality.
(Clicking on any of the images or links will take you to Amazon and you can get them straight away.)
A Friend – Ours is called Wendy, a Build-A-Bear
Husband and I joked recently that Wendy has been to more countries and airports than most adults. The wonderful thing about our bear is that she has never been lost. She was always cuddled on landing and takeoff and also smelled of home. That mattered. Oh, and the thing about Build-A-Bear is that they are all registered with Find-A-Bear so you if one did get lost it could be reunited with your child fairly easily. Your friend could be any stuffed animal that is soft and loved.
Comfort Objects for Tiny Travellers – Quiet fidgets
We have a few quiet fidgets now even for the teens. Here are a few I like. These tangles are awesome!! They are actually my favourite and I fidget with them often during the work day.
Chewy Tubes
When my youngest was little they needed to chew on things a lot. That’s common with sensory processing disorder. Here’s what we used and still have actually. They last forever. These P s and Qs are good for oral sensory feedback. Tiny special needs travellers will be less likely to chew holes in clothing, or blankets. And less inclined to gnaw on you too. These are excellent for day care or school too. Click on the image to find out where to buy.
Finding Magic in the Moments
Someone reminded me today that even though this is all so old to me, there are new parents every day trying to get away who have no idea about comfort objects for tiny special needs travellers. So, I hope this helps you to find the courage to explore with your child. Special needs travel is dramatically changing for the better. No need to stay home if you don’t want to.
I hope you find magic in the small moments of calm, with a little bit of unexpected excitement along the way. So many enjoyable memories are waiting for all of you to claim.
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Great tips! We’ve been traveling with the kids a few times a year though it can be stressful – it is filled with some many fun memories! We cannot wait for out next adventure.
Love your tips, I especially need to get earphones for all three of my kids as we’ll be going on a road trip this summer.
These are really great tips. When my kids were little, one of the things we always made sure we traveled with was a pair of headphones for each of them. That and their special blanket. The blanket was necessary!
There are certain things I cannot travel without either – like probiotics. They are my security blanket and I feel NAKED without them!
That is an excellent thing to travel with actually!
We have a special needs child in our family – actually he’s not a child anymore. But when he was, I saw first-hand how difficult it was on his parents to travel. But they always brought along his comfort items. For him, they included headphones, his magnetic letters and a hand-held video game that taught him to spell. I’m sure travel would have been incredibly more difficult without those items.
So many great tips. traveling can be so stressful, even for someone that travels a lot. But for those that have special needs I can imagine it is even worse. Great ideas for kids.
When you travel with kids that have or have not special needs you really need some of these objects. We always have with us her Friend 🙂 that in our case is a soft horse 🙂 This soft horse is already a very important part of our family 🙂 and it is really a tragedy when it gets lost in the house. And we all pay special attention when it gets out! 🙂
What a great post! My sister has a special needs son and she also travel with some of these items. I know it can be very stressful for parents especially when they travel. Just recently my nephew had a bad breakdown on the plane and she was able to get him to calm down by giving him his blanket.
I didn’t realize you had a special needs daughter. My goodness, I sure take my hat off to you. I have a friend in a similar situation and be honest, I don’t know how she has the energy. She too has headphones, different playlists at the ready, and sixth sense for when to pull them out. I couldn’t help but smile at the fidgets. My husband, I swear is addicted to them. x
This is such a helpful post! I have a cousin who has special needs and a weighted toy for example really helps her a lot. Thanks for your other tips here on this post, I know more about the things I can give her when she and her family will travel!