Special Needs

Challenges of Flying With Autism

Posted on April 4, 2017 by Beth Henry

Five Ways to Meet the Challenges of Flying: It’s April, which is Autism Awareness Month. More than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder, so chances are you know someone, or even many people, with an autism diagnosis. These five ways to meet the challenges of flying with autism can help children without … Continue reading »

Categories: Autism, SPD, Special Needs, Travel Tips | Tags: autism, autism awareness, flying with autism, heavy work, meltdowns, Proprioceptive Input, sensitive child, sensory retreat, spd, special needs, travel tips | Leave a comment

Flying with a Sensory Sensitive Child

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Beth Henry

Tips for Flying With Your Sensory Sensitive Child Does your child cry or cover their ears at loud noises? Meltdown when too much is going on around them? Shy away from crowds? If you have a sensory sensitive child you may be nervous about flying with him/her, but with careful planning you can have a … Continue reading »

Categories: Autism, SPD, Special Needs, Travel Tips | Tags: autism, busy bag, packing, sensitive, spd, travel tips | 2 Comments

Reduce Anxiety for Your Sensitive Child

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Beth Henry

If you have a child who is sensitive to his/her environment, the airport can be overwhelming. The lights can be harsh and the crowds and noise can be scary to a sensitive child. One way to help reduce the sensory overload is to let your child wear a floppy hat. This will help decrease some … Continue reading »

Categories: Autism, Special Needs, Travel Tips | Tags: bright lights, sensitive, sensitive child, sensory, travel tips | 2 Comments

How to Keep Your Child Who Runs Away Safe

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Beth Henry

Child Safety-When Your Child Runs Away If your child is like my three year old son, John, and runs away from you for fun, or from lack of impulse control, you definitely need to make plans to keep him/her safe in airports. John has put me to the test on this many times. Here’s our … Continue reading »

Categories: Flying with Toddlers, Special Needs, Travel Tips | Tags: autism, backpack harness, child safety, flying with autism, runner, running, toddler | 12 Comments

Ways to Help Your Child Be Calm on a Plane

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Beth Henry

Airports are crowded, busy, and noisy. This constant bombarding of the senses can make your child anxious. Even if they are not visibly stressed, all of the stimulation does challenge their senses and can be tiring. If you have a child with autism or Sensory Processing Disorder, this is even more true. Here are … Continue reading »

Categories: Autism, SPD, Special Needs, Travel Tips | Tags: activities, air travel, autism, autism tools, busy bag, family travel, flying with kids, heavy work, proprioceptive, sensory, sensory processing disorder, spd, special needs, travel tips | 10 Comments

My Child has Autism (or SPD): Should I tell the Flight Attendant?

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Beth Henry

I’m part of a group for parents of kids with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). In that group the parents often ask for tips for flying with their child. Although my daughter Ella was only recently diagnosed with SPD, I always knew she needed a little extra assistance coping when her senses were overwhelmed (or under … Continue reading »