Travelling With A Special Needs Family Member - Trips and Tips!
Traveling with a special needs family member may, at times, be difficult, but vacations are an importantbonding time that provides a lifetime of memories for the whole family.
The biggest obstacle in traveling is venturing out of your comfort zone from both the equipment and resources you use in your day-to-day life.
Your vacation will need a lot more planning and the simple things many travelers take for granted as readily available to them such as transportation issues or accessibility, a special needs family cannot afford to be unprepared for.
Do your research in advance so your time spent overcoming unforeseenchallenges is less time consuming.
Planning in advance is the essential key to a successful trip since it is the small details forgotten that can become exhausting for both the caregiver and the traveler.
Look to schedule down time in your planning.
That can include a quiet, air-conditioned place in the location you are choosing to travel to, like the air-conditioned penguin exhibit at SeaWorld that has a dimly lit and peaceful sitting area inside, or a outdoor restaurant that provides a good view where you can relax.
This is your vacation and, sure, you want to see it all as well as make beautiful memories, so make sure you do not try to squeeze too many high-energy activities into your trip which will end up leaving you with memories of anxiety and frustration.
Traveling with my own special needs child has taught me a lot of things, but most importantly to make sure that I always remembered that my vacation be one of quality over quantity.
If you are traveling by plane, contact the airport directly a few weeks prior to your flight and ask for transportation assistance from the curbside check in all the way to the gate.
This will help you bypass some of the long lines and obstacles of the security check point so you can start your vacation a bit more relaxed.
Always carry medical documentation, a list of any prescriptions with doses, and emergency physician information just in case.
I recommend calling the TSA prior to your travel to make sure you have all the documentation you may need as well as obtain advice on any potential problems.
Their toll-free number is 1-855-787-2227 and you can also check out their website for a general overview ofquestions you might have.
If you are traveling with a wheel-chair confined family member and they need a special seating equipment, confirm it is approved by the TSA to fly in so you are not stuck the day of without the equipment you need.
Trying to figure out what kind of vacation is best suited to you can be another challenge based on your special needs requirements.
Cruises are a fantastic way to have quality time while offering some relaxed breaks.
Many of the cruise ships offer handicap accessible rooms and showers as well as dining seating.
If you are traveling with an autistic child or someone with physical or mental disabilities check out Autism at Sea which offers several cruises on a few very popular cruise lines.
This organization provides services such as respite care, inclusive activities, special counselors on site, and the support you might need for adjusting to a cruise.
The benefit of participating in one of these specialized cruises is that they allow the family to cruise together while offering respite time to spend with other family members.
As an added bonus to cruising, you can always order room service if your traveler is having a difficult day and, since there is the option of a balcony room on most ships, you can have a relaxed day at sea enjoying the view right from the comfort of your own stateroom.
If you prefer to stay on land, amusement parks can be another vacation idea, however, they have had a difficult transition lately with providing accommodations for special needs travelers.
Due to the misuse of passes and, unfortunately, some information sites that gave detailed explanations on how to obtain handicap passes, without need,they have had to reduce the services and benefits for those who are actually in need.
Disneyland, in particular, use to have an amazing system in place that allowed families to have a different line and, in some cases, a quicker line to allow those with special needs the chance to ride (since often the traveler gets tired easily, as does the caregiver, not to mention that it offered a bit more time to transfer a rider into a seat).
Now that the accommodations have changed, you need to allow for the difficulties oflonger line.
Don't rule it out but always call or write in advance to make sure they have the services you need.
Find out how far the parking is from the entrance as well as their policies on wheelchairs, rentals, passes, and other services if that is your need.
There is good news though, there is a very special place called Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas that is special needs inclusive!This cheerful place offers wheelchair accessibility, special rides, and hands-on attractions that are well suited to special needs.
The biggest obstacle in traveling is venturing out of your comfort zone from both the equipment and resources you use in your day-to-day life.
Your vacation will need a lot more planning and the simple things many travelers take for granted as readily available to them such as transportation issues or accessibility, a special needs family cannot afford to be unprepared for.
Do your research in advance so your time spent overcoming unforeseenchallenges is less time consuming.
Planning in advance is the essential key to a successful trip since it is the small details forgotten that can become exhausting for both the caregiver and the traveler.
Look to schedule down time in your planning.
That can include a quiet, air-conditioned place in the location you are choosing to travel to, like the air-conditioned penguin exhibit at SeaWorld that has a dimly lit and peaceful sitting area inside, or a outdoor restaurant that provides a good view where you can relax.
This is your vacation and, sure, you want to see it all as well as make beautiful memories, so make sure you do not try to squeeze too many high-energy activities into your trip which will end up leaving you with memories of anxiety and frustration.
Traveling with my own special needs child has taught me a lot of things, but most importantly to make sure that I always remembered that my vacation be one of quality over quantity.
If you are traveling by plane, contact the airport directly a few weeks prior to your flight and ask for transportation assistance from the curbside check in all the way to the gate.
This will help you bypass some of the long lines and obstacles of the security check point so you can start your vacation a bit more relaxed.
Always carry medical documentation, a list of any prescriptions with doses, and emergency physician information just in case.
I recommend calling the TSA prior to your travel to make sure you have all the documentation you may need as well as obtain advice on any potential problems.
Their toll-free number is 1-855-787-2227 and you can also check out their website for a general overview ofquestions you might have.
If you are traveling with a wheel-chair confined family member and they need a special seating equipment, confirm it is approved by the TSA to fly in so you are not stuck the day of without the equipment you need.
Trying to figure out what kind of vacation is best suited to you can be another challenge based on your special needs requirements.
Cruises are a fantastic way to have quality time while offering some relaxed breaks.
Many of the cruise ships offer handicap accessible rooms and showers as well as dining seating.
If you are traveling with an autistic child or someone with physical or mental disabilities check out Autism at Sea which offers several cruises on a few very popular cruise lines.
This organization provides services such as respite care, inclusive activities, special counselors on site, and the support you might need for adjusting to a cruise.
The benefit of participating in one of these specialized cruises is that they allow the family to cruise together while offering respite time to spend with other family members.
As an added bonus to cruising, you can always order room service if your traveler is having a difficult day and, since there is the option of a balcony room on most ships, you can have a relaxed day at sea enjoying the view right from the comfort of your own stateroom.
If you prefer to stay on land, amusement parks can be another vacation idea, however, they have had a difficult transition lately with providing accommodations for special needs travelers.
Due to the misuse of passes and, unfortunately, some information sites that gave detailed explanations on how to obtain handicap passes, without need,they have had to reduce the services and benefits for those who are actually in need.
Disneyland, in particular, use to have an amazing system in place that allowed families to have a different line and, in some cases, a quicker line to allow those with special needs the chance to ride (since often the traveler gets tired easily, as does the caregiver, not to mention that it offered a bit more time to transfer a rider into a seat).
Now that the accommodations have changed, you need to allow for the difficulties oflonger line.
Don't rule it out but always call or write in advance to make sure they have the services you need.
Find out how far the parking is from the entrance as well as their policies on wheelchairs, rentals, passes, and other services if that is your need.
There is good news though, there is a very special place called Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas that is special needs inclusive!This cheerful place offers wheelchair accessibility, special rides, and hands-on attractions that are well suited to special needs.
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