Travel Advice & Special Assistance

European Travel Anxiety: Keeping Neurodivergent Kids Safe Abroad I often feel a wave of anxiety when planning a family holiday in Europe. Because both of our children are neurodivergent with additional needs—and one also has epilepsy—the reality is that our risk of needing local medical services is considerably higher than for most families. In fact, we’ve had to access emergency care both at home and abroad. Calling for an ambulance in Sicily at 4am is an experience I never

Packing smart and well is a real skill, and it can be learned. This is particularly important when you have neurodivergent family members and deciding what to take could mean the difference between a sensory meltdown and a successful outing. Sometimes the best things for your child aren't always the obvious things, and may be considered overkill by others. Don't let other people's opinions, old thoughts or habits get in your head too much when preparing a daypack or sorting i

Packing for a family holiday can be such a minefield, particularly when you have neurodivergent children. If working out what to take and what to leave at home could mean the difference between a great trip and an emotional meltdown, its tempting to include it all! However the secret to successful neurodivergent family travel isn't about packing everything — it is about packing the right tools, comforts, and safe items that keep your holiday regulated, predictable, and fun.

Overview of Airport Hidden Disability Services Booking airport special assistance for an autistic child or an ADHD traveller can feel incredibly confusing. Most airline booking portals focus primarily on physical mobility, sight, or hearing impairments. While a hidden disability category is slowly being introduced, the choices rarely match the real-world sensory support that neurodivergent families actually need. This guide serves as a practical, 8-step blueprint to help you

Without airport Special Assistance services our family would struggle to travel easily by plane - and we certainly we wouldn't have taken our two autistic boys on a dream holiday to the arctic circle! If you are dreaming of a family trip abroad but feel overwhelmed by the prospect of airport terminal queues and sensory triggers, you are not alone. Airport special assistance schemes are designed to assist you, and for many neurodivergent families act as a travel lifeline. New

Like many autism / SEND parents, I find the thought of flying with our neurodivergent children overwhelming, and the reality of doing so has sometimes been extremely challenging. However, disabled passengers—including our children with hidden disabilities like autism and ADHD—are legally protected from discrimination. As a family, you (and us) are entitled to fair, reasonable adjustments that remove the stress of navigating air travel, and airlines are legally responsible for

🌻 Quick Safety Note: I am a parent sharing our real-world family experiences, strategies, and what has worked for us having an autistic child with epilepsy. I am not a doctor or medical professional. Every neurodivergent child and medical condition is completely unique. Please always consult your child’s paediatrician, neurologist, or specialist healthcare team before traveling to discuss your specific travel plans, emergency protocols, and medication management. Why an epil

Travelling with a young autistic child can feel like preparing for a military operation. The noise, the crowds, and the unpredictable changes in routine can easily cause sensory overload. One of the most effective tools we used when our boys were little was visual stories and rhythmic reading. Introducing books weeks before a trip helped them build a predictable mental map of what was going to happen. You might recognise a few household classics on this list, but we are not j

The National Disability Card provides disabled individuals and parent carers with a way of communicating their need for help and support.

Our Scottish holiday included a 5 night stay on the Isle of Mull in October half term. It was a remote cottage near the tiny village of Ulva Ferry and we would definitely need a car on the island. Read on and discover everything you need to travel with a car from Oban to Mull on the CalMac ferry.

Encouraging our autistic children to wear the sunflower lanyard instils in them the belief that they should in no way be ashamed or afraid to ask for extra support or help.

As a capital city Paris has a comprehensive transport system - with metro trains, overground trains as well as buses. But which one is best for families with autistic children?

The thought of flying with autistic children can be scary. This article provides lots of ideas and strategies to help parents and their autistic child stay as calm as possible during a short haul flight. Whatever happens in the airport or onboard the plane, this article will leave you feeling confident that YES, you can fly with your autistic child, and yes there are lots of things you can do to make the journey a success.

Travelling with autistic children can present unique challenges for families, but with the right support and preparation, it can also be a rewarding and enriching experience.

Our overnight stay went much better than expected; in fact we have used airport hotels again twice since that trip. Read on to discover the 10 things we did that helped make our stay at the airport hotel as autism friendly as possible for our family.

An essential guide to Eurostar's Special Assistance Scheme for Families with Autistic Children.

This post provides all you need to know about travelling on the Eurostar Special Assistance scheme with Autistic children.

Is Eurostar Plus worth the upgrade? Discover 8 sensory benefits—including quieter coaches and family tables—that help autistic kids travel calmly.