HOLIDAY PACKING FOR NEURODIVERGENT FAMILIES
(including adhd & autistic children)
PACKING TO GO AWAY WITH AUTISTIC CHILDREN
​Packing for any family trip is an art. With the boys sensory and emotional needs constantly evolving we have to think carefully in advance of every trip. It's a balance between not overpacking and taking what we need to help the boys stay calm and regulated in a new and unfamiliar environment.
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Our autism friendly approach to packing combines two stages.
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FIRST:
Create a list of essential items you know you HAVE to pack to ensure you can travel safely (physically and emotionally). This can and does change so always double check this carefully.
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SECOND:
Create another list with all the items that you think will help to make life easier for your kids they are away - and therefore for you too! These may not be your normal packing items, but we have learnt that although they are not essential, they are definitely worth making space for. Things like:
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The boys' preferred plates / bowls / tea tray / cutlery
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The boys' favourite dry foods and snacks
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Peapod dry night towelling mats - you can wash and dry them in a day
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Lots of first aid e.g. calpol & nurofen, antiseptic wipes, plasters, anbesol, savlon etc​
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Visual schedules / social stories​
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Non-biological liquid washing pods - Europeans use a lot of biological formulas
​Note: We tend to pack as little clothing as possible - the boys have their favourite outfits anyway, and I don't mind doing washing on holiday!​​​
For more advice and top tips on travelling as an autistic family read our special article:
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Exploring the World: A Beginners Guide to Travelling with Autistic Children
SHORT HAUL FLIGHTS: WHAT WE TAKE ON BOARD THE PLANE
We rarely pay for cabin bags on a short haul flight. Instead J and I have bought backpacks that fit the dimensions for a free carry on with Easy Jet and share the following items between us: ​
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Two sets of printed travel documents, passports and travel money​
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Sunflower lanyards
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Airport visual story
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The daily medicines and emergency medicine bag. ​ This is accompanied by a GP letter stating prescribed daily / emergency medicines and what they are for. This allows us to take them through security - no way they're going in checked baggage!​​​
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Two Amazon Fire Tablets plus portable battery packs and blue-tooth headphones
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Selection of fidget toys
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Chewy sweets / snacks for take-off and landing
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An additional set of snacks - you cant take too many!
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One book or magazine each
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A notebook and pen
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Sunglasses
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A light sarong (me)
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Spare change of clothes for each child
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Empty water bottles which we fill up once we are through security - most airports have some sort of hydration station airside, or we buy a bulk sized bottle of water and share it out, cheaper than lots of little bottles.
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The boys each carry a normal sized child day pack which contains:
- their lunches / snacks
- water bottle
- some small travel games
- a few toys
- sunglasses
- noise cancelling ear defenders
- travel pack of wet wipes.
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Trunki Booster Seat Backpacks:
If we are hiring a car at our destination then we swap this bag for a Trunki booster seat backpack. These are a brilliant design! They are a hollow car booster seat with backpack straps and inside the zipped underneath compartment there is space for each child to pack a bento lunch / snack box, a magazine and some toys / ear defenders. They are the correct size to count as a free carry on. We then use them as child seats in a hire car at our destination - saving up to £120 per week of hire!​​​​​
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10 TOP TIPS FOR AUTISM FRIENDLY HOLIDAY PACKING
01
Remember your sunflower lanyards, especially in airports. They let others know that you have hidden support needs. Also pack any other cards you have such as a local council Disability card, your child's Access card etc... We have used them abroad with mixed success so they are always worth including.
02
Use packing cubes! We colour code in our house - J is blue, I have yellow etc..... They really help to keep everyone's things organised and easy to find. They also give the boys a concrete sense of space - depending on space they each get 1 or 2 cubes for their 'extras' which they can fill with whatever they like.
03
Consider your child's emotional needs, as well as practical ones. It pays to make space for key sensory items that help them cope when they feel anxious or overwhelmed e.g. F's worry monster, fidget toys, playdoh, soft blankets
04
Give your child a visual packing list with quantities e.g. T-shirt picture then x 4, they can use it to help choose their clothes / items to take. This works really well with F, he loves planning his outfits and the control and independence it gives him. There is space for him to add items too.
05
If your child finds getting to sleep difficult, making space for their soft toys, special blanket or a few favourite books can really help them relax. I sometimes pack 1 or 2 pillowcases - the smell of home can be comforting.​ Giving them a small torch to keep nearby can help them to feel safe if they wake in the night.
06
When travelling by plane pack each child's favourite outfit, comfort item, toothbrush, some dry snacks and 2 sensory toys in your hand luggage so you have it with you in case of lost luggage. Use a packing cube to do this!
07
Packing familiar objects from home for your autistic child can help manage their anxiety e.g. their favourite flannel / towel, a bath toy
08
Adopt a bigger picture approach. While technically, yes, our child CAN eat meals off different plates and use unfamiliar cutlery and cups – we also know that doing so comes at great cost to him both emotionally and mentally. Bringing kitchen items from home helps reduce anxiety at mealtimes and makes it more likely he will keep eating his 'safe' foods while away.​So in the plates go.
09
We pack a LOT of food with us, especially if we are abroad. Charlie is a super taster and notices the smallest differences in flavour or texture – if it doesnt taste 'right' he wont eat it. Taking a selection of our own food ensures he wont go hungry.
10
Make sure to include any resources you use at home to support transitions. You will need them more than ever when you are away - so picture cards, laminated schedules, a small white board for drawing the days schedule. I often create new ones just for the holiday - it really helps.