Traveling with Special Needs
The challenges of traveling with special needs individuals can be a deterrent for many people. We have a long history of dealing with these situations. From Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimer's, and Autism, FireMouse Vacations has personal experience in dealing with the struggles of getting through airports, finding appropriate accommodations for wheelchair-bound individuals, and seeking sensory friendly environments. Our family has dealt with these issues for the past 40+ years. Our clients receive the benefit of this experience in our understanding and service to your travel needs.
We have put together a list of ways families can help their special needs loved ones experience a magical vacation by eliminating many of the challenges of travel.
We have put together a list of ways families can help their special needs loved ones experience a magical vacation by eliminating many of the challenges of travel.
TSA Precheck
No matter what the challenge is for your special needs loved one, there is no single better advice we can give you than get TSA Prechecked before your flight! This allows your family to bypass the long, excruciating security check where shoes must be removed, sweaters off, and the risk of being pulled off to the side is greater. With TSA Pre-check, you go straight to a separate check-in crew and are whisked through with ease. If there is a line, it is almost always short and definitely shorter than the regular security check. We have never had to remove our shoes, sweaters, and sometimes they allow our grandson to wear his headphones through! We encourage all special needs families to get TSA Prechecked.
Social Stories
When we travel with our grandson, we always prepare a social story for him to help ease his anxiety. Traveling can be very challenging because of the many variables involved from crowds, noise, and chaotic environment, to anxiety of the unknown outside one's comfort zone. Social stories can help lower the anxiety, expectations, and fear that special needs individuals may deal with. Below is a sample social story that we used for one of our trips. It will hopefully provide you with an idea of what we use for his unique needs. We feel this helps our grandson acclimate easily to the environment when he has been prepared in advance of the different places we will see and people he will have interaction with. Every child has various needs so your loved one may need a different sample of ideas for their personalized social story. FireMouse Vacations is different from other travel agencies, because we understand these challenges and are happy to help our clients tailor their social stories for each individual's needs.
| socialstory.pdf |
Flight Activities
When aboard a flight, there are many challenges to keep one's attention focused and entertained for the duration of a flight. Whether one hour or 12 hours, those of us with special needs loved ones know the challenge is the same. A few things that have been successful for us are (1) Visual flight tracking game board, (2) Sensory fidgets, (3) iPad with headphones.
Visual flight tracking game board is something we devised on our own to help our grandson keep track of where we are during the flight. He is very young and has little awareness of geography in terms of traveling to places. The visual flight tracker help him become aware of the different states we are flying through, the time it takes for the travel, and also gives him a reasonable expectation of how much longer we will be in flight. Basically, we make a printout of the flight path and put Velcro on various spots throughout the path. We laminate it and make a laminated airplane game piece with Velcro. At each Velcro spot, we have a new game we play. We bring cards, animal figures, and sticker/activity books. Sensory fidgets are an excellent idea that are good for young and old alike! Fun and Function, Therapy Shoppe, and Amazon have a wide assortment of sensory fidgets from hand-held squeeze balls, chewy sticks, and putty. You can also incorporate an iPad if that's what their preferred activity is. Please note, airlines have begun requiring headphones for devices for the comfort of other passengers. If your loved one is not accustomed to headphones, we would advise preparing them in advance by introducing the idea or cut out the device to avoid in-flight issues. If you have an account with Prime Video, Netflix or Play Movies, you can actually download the content to your device so you won't need to deal with Wi-fi issues.
Visual flight tracking game board is something we devised on our own to help our grandson keep track of where we are during the flight. He is very young and has little awareness of geography in terms of traveling to places. The visual flight tracker help him become aware of the different states we are flying through, the time it takes for the travel, and also gives him a reasonable expectation of how much longer we will be in flight. Basically, we make a printout of the flight path and put Velcro on various spots throughout the path. We laminate it and make a laminated airplane game piece with Velcro. At each Velcro spot, we have a new game we play. We bring cards, animal figures, and sticker/activity books. Sensory fidgets are an excellent idea that are good for young and old alike! Fun and Function, Therapy Shoppe, and Amazon have a wide assortment of sensory fidgets from hand-held squeeze balls, chewy sticks, and putty. You can also incorporate an iPad if that's what their preferred activity is. Please note, airlines have begun requiring headphones for devices for the comfort of other passengers. If your loved one is not accustomed to headphones, we would advise preparing them in advance by introducing the idea or cut out the device to avoid in-flight issues. If you have an account with Prime Video, Netflix or Play Movies, you can actually download the content to your device so you won't need to deal with Wi-fi issues.
Headphones
Headphones are a necessity in our household. We keep a pair in the vehicles, in his backpack, and around the house. We use a Peltor Ultimate Muff ($29) and Howard Leight L3 Muff ($35) These are available almost anywhere and they filter most sound while allowing conversation with him. They are also adjustable and comfortable covering the entire ear. Neither brand leave a mark on him. It's difficult to find the right fit and with most headphones, they come inside a package, thus make trying them on impossible pre-purchase. We have found going into parks with security scanners, the staff usually allow him to keep the headphones on. They are imperative for rides and going through noisy crowds.
Backpack
Backpacks aren't just convenient but necessary when traveling. I'm going to list the things in the backpack right now at this moment.
- Chew Sticks
- Headphones
- Extra Clothes
- Wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- Snacks
- Water and special milk he drinks
- Aquafor (lips get dried by drool from chewy)
- Small Fidget Toys
- Alcohol wipes
Park Information for Disabilities
Disney has programs to assist with disabilities. Information can be attained through Guest Services/City Hall. If your loved one can't stand in extended lines, there is help for your family through their Disability Access service. We use this every visit. We simply check in at Guest Services and explain he needs the pass. They take his photo, ask the number of guests, and *voila* life is easier. How it works is similar to a Fast Pass. In our case, one of us goes to a kiosk in the park, tell them which ride we want a "return time" for and then they place that ride electronically on his pass. We return at the given time and without a long wait in line we board the ride.
For more information on how the system works, please click here to be directed to the Disney website. Disability Access service
Other parks have similar programs, including Legoland, Universal Studios, and Knotts Berry Farm. As a client, we will be sure to send the relevant information to you.
All of the parks have "quiet areas". These are areas dedicated to giving those with disabilities a little break from the chaotic crowds, lights, and noise. Some are inside areas, while others are located outside. In our 40+ years experience with special needs and traveling, we know where these areas are located as well as other secret niches around the parks, cruise ships, and hotels that cater to special needs.
All of the parks have "quiet areas". These are areas dedicated to giving those with disabilities a little break from the chaotic crowds, lights, and noise. Some are inside areas, while others are located outside. In our 40+ years experience with special needs and traveling, we know where these areas are located as well as other secret niches around the parks, cruise ships, and hotels that cater to special needs.