If a child is anxious about flying, it can be beneficial to allow them to get a partial airport experience before the day of your trip.
Are you planning a family vacation? For parents of children with disabilities, this can be a daunting task. If you have a child with special needs, you may have a fair amount of anxiety if your child has never flown before. The good news is that there are all sorts of steps you can take to ensure your trip is a successful one. Here are a few tips for flying with special needs children!
Consider Timing
What time of day should you book your flight? This is a common question that many parents struggle with. Although there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer, you want to keep in mind that children with special needs often rely on routines throughout the day. Example of such include going to bed at a certain time and eating dinner around the same time as well. Since you don’t want to disrupt their daily operating rhythm too much, it is usually better to book a flight that is in the morning when they feel refreshed and are ready to go!
Research Airlines
Some airlines are more accommodating of individuals with special needs. If you want to ensure that your child has everything they need on travel day, it is in your best interest to do your research ahead of time. Be sure to jump online and don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call if you have any questions.
Visit The Airport Prior
An airport can be a scary place for a child. There are tons of people, all sorts of loud sounds, and planes taking off/landing right before your eyes. If a child is anxious about flying, it can be beneficial to allow them to get a partial airport experience before the day of your trip. There is nothing wrong with taking your child to the airport so they can witness the planes take off and land. This should help your child become more comfortable when travel day arrives.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.