Preparing for a Trip with a Neurodivergent Child

The secret to smooth travel often starts before you even leave the house!

Travelling with a neurodivergent child can feel daunting: new environments, unexpected changes, and sensory challenges can quickly become overwhelming. Yet, we believe it’s so important to take our children out into the world. Every journey becomes an opportunity for growth, discovery, and confidence-building.

Here’s how we prepare—drawing on both our experience and evidence-based strategies—to make travel a meaningful, manageable adventure.

1. Building Predictability: Visual Schedules & Countdown Tools

Predictability can make a huge difference for neurodivergent children when preparing for a trip. Knowing what will happen and when helps reduce anxiety and gives them a sense of control in an environment that might otherwise feel unpredictable. Visual schedules are one of the most effective tools for this — they translate abstract plans into something concrete that children can understand and follow.

Some children benefit from highly detailed explanations. Photos of the plane, the hotel room, or even the bed they’ll sleep in can help them feel familiar with the new environment before they arrive. Others prefer a simpler outline: just knowing the order of events can be enough to provide reassurance. Each child is different, and the key is observing what level of detail makes them feel most comfortable.

Time can be particularly tricky. Many neurodivergent children struggle to understand abstract concepts like “next week” or “in three days.” One way to make it tangible is to frame time in ways that reflect their daily routines. For example, some children respond well to counting how many sleeps are left until an event. Others may prefer to think in terms of “school days” and “home days.” A full week might then sound like: school, school, school, school, school, home, home. If there’s something unusual or extra in the week, such as a doctor’s appointment or a trip to the shops, it can simply be added in: school, school, school + doctor, school, school, home, home. This approach makes it easier for children to anticipate changes and feel prepared.

Timing also matters. Sharing information too far in advance can sometimes create unnecessary anxiety, as children may focus on the event rather than on what they can manage now. On the other hand, not preparing them at all can lead to surprise and stress. The balance is giving enough information at the right moment — enough to help them feel ready, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming.

In short, predictability isn’t about controlling every detail of a trip — it’s about giving children the tools to understand what’s coming, to feel secure, and to navigate the journey with confidence.

2. Packing a “Comfort Kit”

A personalised comfort kit can make a huge difference. These familiar items provide a sense of security and control in environments that are often noisy, crowded, or unpredictable. They’re not about avoiding all challenges, but about giving children tools to help them cope and stay calm.

The contents of a comfort kit will vary depending on each child’s needs. Some common items that families find useful include:

• Noise-cancelling headphones or earmuffs – These can help reduce overwhelming background sounds in airports, train stations, or busy streets. Some children find them comforting, while others may prefer soft earplugs or even no device at all.

• Favourite snacks – Familiar tastes can provide comfort, a sense of routine, and a helpful distraction during long waits or delays.

• A tablet or device with familiar content – Music, games, or videos can be a useful distraction. A tip from our experience: some children are used to having their own screen and choosing what to watch during long flights. The first time we travelled on a smaller plane without screens, my son couldn’t watch his usual tablet content because it was in airplane mode and we hadn’t pre-downloaded his favourite movies or cartoons. With nothing familiar to focus on, he became anxious while watching the emergency procedures. Now, we always prepare by downloading content in advance, which helps him stay calm and engaged throughout the flight.

• Comfort objects – Blankets, favourite toys, or any object that helps a child feel safe.

• Creative distractions – Books, drawing boards, or puzzles can allow children to focus, regulate emotions, and stay occupied while waiting or travelling.

When planned thoughtfully, a comfort kit can transform travel from stressful to manageable. It helps children feel more in control, calmer, and more confident, making the journey not just tolerable but sometimes even enjoyable.

3. Rehearsing the Journey

For many neurodivergent children, familiarity reduces anxiety and builds confidence. Rehearsing parts of the journey before the trip can help make new experiences feel more predictable and manageable.

This doesn’t have to be complicated — small steps often make the biggest difference:

• Practice short outings – Visiting a local train station, bus stop, or airport lobby can help children understand what to expect on the real journey.

• Use social stories or videos – Showing photos or videos of the destination, transport, or check-in procedures can make the environment feel familiar.

• Talk through each stage – For example, explaining that they will check in, wait in a queue, put luggage on the conveyor, then find the seat. Visual schedules or simple drawings can help.

• Incorporate games or exploration – Counting steps, spotting objects, or using maps can make the rehearsal interactive and fun, not just preparation.

  
  

The goal isn’t to eliminate surprises entirely — that’s impossible — but to give children tools and confidence to handle them. Even brief, low-pressure rehearsals can make the actual trip feel much more manageable.

4. Allowing Extra Time: Be Patient

Transitions can take longer for neurodivergent children, and rushing often adds stress for everyone. Adding buffer time into every stage of the journey — whether moving between airport gates, boarding a train, or leaving the hotel — can make a huge difference. Even small adjustments, like giving a “five-minute warning” before leaving, help children prepare and reduce pressure.

It’s also important to remember that sometimes children need to finish what they’re doing before they can move on. For example, starting a one-hour video when you have to leave in 15 minutes can create frustration and stress. If possible, try to negotiate with the child: explain the timing, give choices, or plan in advance so that important activities or rituals can be accommodated.

Of course, this will depend on the child’s age and flexibility. Some children can adapt to changes easily, while others benefit from a predictable routine. In some cases, it’s worth building in extra time — for example, if watching a particular video is part of a morning routine, plan to leave an hour later so the child can finish calmly.

The goal is to be patient, flexible, and aware of what each child needs. Giving children the time and space to transition at their own pace reduces stress and helps the whole trip run more smoothly.

5. Plan to Have Some Fun Yourself

Travelling with neurodivergent children can be rewarding, but it can also come with a lot of stress for parents. It’s important to remember to take care of yourself, too. Finding moments of joy during the trip — even small ones — helps you recharge and gives you the courage to do it all over again.

Try to enjoy the simple things: a quiet coffee while your child plays, a short walk, or a moment to read a book. Rest when you can, and give yourself permission to do nothing for a few minutes. Just as your child may need time to regulate their emotions and energy, you also need moments to recharge, reflect, and enjoy the journey.

Travel is a shared adventure — the more you allow yourself to experience it, the more memorable and enjoyable it becomes for both you and your child.

Travel with neurodivergent children can be challenging, but with patience, preparation, and a little flexibility, it can also be full of joy, learning, and shared memories. Here’s to calm journeys, happy discoveries, and adventures together.

xo,

Gabi