How to have a good vacation with your disabled child
If you want to have a vacation with your child with SEN or disability and that everything goes well … read on and don’t miss these tips!
If you have a child with Special Educational Needs (SEN) you may think twice before going on vacation because you think you could all have a hard time. Your son because of the change in routines and places and you because if he has a bad time, you know that circumstances will become difficult for everyone and you will end up wishing you had not left home.
In reality, it does not have to be all that catastrophic if you have planning in what you want to do and prepare everything well in advance. Your child with SEN needs structure, consistency and constant adaptations and that is what he should not lack. Although if you want novelty, spontaneity and relaxation … Can you balance both poles? The answer is yes, but with some limits . Here are some tips to make it work.
Index
CHOOSE A PLAN
You will have to choose a vacation plan that suits your child with a disability and your family. If you have a child with SEN, a vacation of adventure and improvisation is clearly not going to work. If spontaneity is important to you but overwhelming for your child, consider taking a separate adventure vacation or hiring a babysitter for a day while you explore the world and keep your child in good care. Alternatively (and even better), prepare your child for a short open adventure that expands their horizons without overwhelming them … taking into account their needs and abilities.
IT CAN BE SIMPLE
It may be a good idea to stay in one place without moving too much. You can go to a place where you can do activities for days without having to travel too much. There is no need to have to do everything when relaxing can also be an exceptional option for everyone.
LEAVE YOUR ANXIETIES AT HOME
If you go on vacation it is to have fun, so leave the anxiety at home. You may have anxiety if your child has a crisis in public, if a family member criticizes your way of raising your children or if the activities you have planned for the holidays ends in disaster because it overwhelms your child … The reality is that Few of these problems are serious enough to ruin a vacation, so why ruin your mood in advance? Think of enjoying!
HAVE A COMFORTABLE PLACE FOR YOUR RETREAT
Many families love to vacation together. While that can be fun with a child with special needs, it can also be overwhelming. A good option is to say “yes” to the family retreat, but “no” to the idea of staying in the same house with uncles, cousins, cousins, grandparents … That way, if your child needs a break or wants to create a more familiar family structure, you can do so without creating a storm of negative comments or concerns.
PLAN ONE ACTIVITY (AT LEAST) THAT YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD WILL LOVE
Many children with special needs love tradition and repetition. Accept this for a small portion of your vacation. Say “yes” to playing the same board game one more time, or eating the same ice cream in the same place … Having special events to look forward to can also make it much easier to get through the toughest times.
TAKE THINGS WITH YOU
If your child needs sensory toys, special sheets, cushions, food or other items that provide comfort, then you will have to bring them. If someone asks or suggests that you are taking too much care of your child, ignore them. They don’t know your child’s needs like you do.
ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN B
Your child with SEN may have a good time doing a particular activity, or he may completely break down and have a tantrum. If things start to go wrong, have a Plan B in place so other group members don’t feel like their day is ruined. For example, if other children are included in the group, know in advance which adult will handle your child with special needs and who will take care of the rest of the group. If you really need to leave soon, have a plan about who will leave with your child and when they can return to the activity by doing relays if necessary.
BE FAIR TO OTHERS
You have to be fair to each other. No matter how carefully you plan ahead, there may be a good chance that someone will need to change their plans to accommodate a child with special needs. If possible, you’ll want to make sure both parents take turns staying home, leaving the restaurant early, or dealing with overly judgmental relatives. Do your best to make sure that everyone, siblings and parents included, has the opportunity to enjoy the time doing what they love the most. Sure, they may have to accommodate a family member with special needs, but that shouldn’t ruin everyone’s vacation.
PREPARE YOUR FELLOW VACATIONERS
If you are on vacation with friends or family who don’t know your child well, you will need to provide information about what to expect, what they can do to make life easier for you and your child, how to get your child involved, and how to act at some point. crisis. An email or WhatsApp message is a good way to communicate information informally and without confrontation.
FLEXIBILITY AND PREPARATION FOR THE HOLIDAYS
If your child with SEN is angry because it is raining, you can delay the activity until the rain is over. If it is having a good day you can spend more time outdoors to enjoy activities with family or friends.
In addition, it is very important that you prepare your child with SEN before it is time for the holidays. It is a good idea that you explain where you are going and what you are going to do. You can use real photos of people and places. You can read it together early and often.
Remember that holidays are to have fun and relax … and above all, to strengthen the family bond and enjoy all together … holidays are to be enjoyed! So take the time you need to organize everything well.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.