EP TRAVEL EDITION BY JENNIFER WOODWORTH, PSY.D
PLANNING YOUR TRAVEL
Where are you off to? Visiting family, relocating due to PCS orders, or planning a vacation can influence travel options based on type of travel available, distance to your destination, and length of stay. The first part of any plan is deciding where to go and what type of travel will be available; by car, plane, train, or boat.
Your child’s mobility and necessary equipment will influence your destination choices but does not have to limit you in experiencing hiking or beach destinations for summer, or ski resorts in the winter. A hotel in close proximity to activities can be beneficial in spending more time in action and less time in travel. Find out as much information as possible about accessibility at your destination and check out the Emerging Horizons website listed in the resources for information on traveling with wheelchair users and slow walkers.
Will the travel type allow access to necessary medical care, dietary needs, or accommodate special seating systems? Calling the airline, hotel, or other rental agency to inform them of your needs, can help ensure that items such as a shower chair, wheelchair, or ground level accommodations are available and ready for you when you arrive. Sometimes, renting specialized equipment at your destination can be helpful in making the vacation more comfortable and active for your child. Adding extra stops or layovers may be valuable in allowing your children movement and burning off some energy before having to remain seated for extended periods of time.
If traveling by air, contact TSA Cares 72, hours prior to your departure for assistance in screening procedures and being connected with a Passenger Support Specialist who can provide on-the-spot assistance. The TSA website, listed in the resources, thoroughly describes and presents information on various accommodations that can be provided based on the traveler’s disability. You can also download a special travel card which can assist the TSA employees in meeting your child’s needs.
Medical Needs
A physical exam and letter describing your child’s condition by your child’s primary care physician is important in case of an emergency. Medical personnel responding to your child will be better equipped to handle the situation if they have an understanding of your child’s conditions and needs. Have a list of your child’s medications, as well as enough medication sufficient for your travel dates. Phone numbers of the medical professionals working with your child, and also a list of medical professionals at your destination, are important to have on hand. Medical insurance cards are a must, and calling ahead for authorization for possible medical visits at your destination can be helpful in having expenses covered. Any equipment or monitors should be inspected and in working condition prior to travel to ensure proper use. If medication needs to be refrigerated, the location you are staying at should include a mini fridge or appropriate storage.
EMOTIONAL NEEDS
Changes can be difficult for children overall, whether just temporary or permanent. Travel can disrupt routines and schedules and can often cause emotional distress. You may notice signs that your child is feeling stress; such as sleep or appetite changes, crying or increased irritability, or behavior outbursts.
Feeling secure and safe can decrease the feelings of uneasiness for a child. Keep favorite blankets, toys, or books accessible to you and your child, as well as comfortable travel clothing. For many children, anticipation of what is to come can be overwhelming. Social stories can assist them in managing their emotions and understanding the process of travel. Keeping social stories short and specific can be helpful in breaking apart different aspects of the trip; for example, one social story might focus on the airport and airplane travel where another one might focus on an activity you have planned for your vacation (amusement park/museum).
Identify parts of the trip that may cause over- or under-stimulation based on the environment and plan accordingly. Plan on bringing sensory items that allow stimulation and release of built-up tension, as well as items that can calm and focus your child. Download apps or games specially for your vacation or trip that incorporate learning tools, managing emotions, or educational activities.
Include the entire family in a discussion of challenges that you might encounter while on vacation and brainstorm ideas that could, at least temporarily, solve the problem.
Staff Sergeant and Trisha Miller are parents to Katie (17), Makayla (15), and Zachariah (7). Makayla has been diagnosed with a learning disability and anxiety which impacts her sleep and her ability to regulate her emotions. Trisha is able to recognize signs of increased stress related to travel and change and suggests focusing on each day separately and staying focused in the moment in order to relieve some anxiety. Breaking down each day into hours and phases allowed her daughter to be able to anticipate the next step in their travel. “Be patient,” Trisha advises, seeing the situation from your child’s perspective can be helpful in anticipating their reaction. She also suggests for families to pack plenty of activities to occupy time spent in travel; such as toys, iPads, coloring booking as well as favorite foods and snacks. “Take breaks to explore. Make it a blast, not just for yourself, but the children, too.”
NAVIGATING THE DESTINATION
Hospitality from others can impact a trip in a positive way, especially when you and others focus on what your child is able to do, rather than the limitations of their condition. A lack of understanding about your child’s needs can often lead to miscommunication or nervousness on the part of the staff that are assisting you. At that time, it would be to your benefit to ask for exactly what you will need and be clear about your expectations.
Virgil and Alicia Steele are parents to two boys, Gaige (3) and Kian (6). Kian was born with cervical myelomalacia, which is a condition of having a thin spinal cord. Because Kian is weak from the neck down, he uses a motorized wheelchair for mobility. His family is currently stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California where Virgil is a Major in the Air Force. Due to the specialized wheelchair, the Steele family limits their travel to road trips in their vehicle, yet continue to have adventures. They have had both negative and positive travel experiences. Alicia described her family’s positive experience while traveling to Lake of the Ozarks for a camping trip. “We stopped in at a bait shop before going fishing. They met my son and proceeded to walk us through an amazing booklet of all the handicap accessible fishing areas and the pros and cons.”
INCLUDING THE WHOLE FAMILY
Even though your child with special needs will require extra attention and monitoring, be sure to incorporate quality time and activities for your other children. At times, inclusion can feel limiting to other children in the family, therefore allowing your children to add their own adventurous ideas or activities can increase their cooperation at times when you are attending to your special needs child.
Also, challenging your family to new adventures or creating opportunities for fun and learning can assist with bonding over shared events. Major Miguel Guerra and Iulia Guerra, are parents to Sandra (11) and Joshua (7), who was diagnosed with autism. Even though Iulia finds it challenging to constantly hold Joshua’s hand so that he does not wander off, she offers this advice to other parents: “Don’t let your child’s disability get in the way of your life. Go out there and give it a try… you might be surprised one day to discover that your child actually enjoys something that you always thought was off limits.”
EXPECTATIONS
Setting high expectations of what you want your family to accomplish during travel or vacation can cause stress and anxiety in both you as parents and in your children. Reasonable expectations, including time recovering from travel (to and from your destination), effort expended on daily activities, and identifying behaviors that may become exacerbated based on the situation can assist in planning your travel activities. Allowing time for naps, rests, or just quiet relaxation may be helpful if your days are full of movement and new experiences. Remain flexible if you have to move plans around based on your child’s mood, abilities, or energy level.
If some part of your trip did not go as planned, take some time to identify why. This will make your next travel experience more successful. Maybe more questions need to be asked regarding accessibility to amenities at the hotel or services offered. Sometimes it is difficult to know the questions to ask until you are in a position where you feel your family’s needs are not being addressed or attended to. Take the opportunity to use this time as a learning experience of what worked and what did not work for you and your family. Happy travels! •
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Woodworth is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Vista, CA. She has worked in the mental health field for seven years, Her husband is retired from the Marine Corps
and she has three children ages six, eight, and ten.
