Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyards: How to get a free lanyard and 8 reasons your autistic child should wear it.

Oct 14, 2025
9 min read

Updated: Jul 21

You may have seen children or adults wearing a distinctive green lanyard printed with sunflowers around their neck. This is a hidden disability lanyard, and it can be worn by anyone, including children with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, or epilepsy.

It is designed to let other people know your child has a hidden disability and you may need more help, support, or time to process a situation.

Alongside our National Disability Card (read more in our dedicated National Disability Card guide), the sunflower lanyard acts as our passport to accessing activities outside of the house.

Along with these two official pieces of documentation, these are the essential sensory items we pack when traveling, particularly on busy public transport. Having them close to hand has kept more than one meltdown at bay, helping everyone to stay calm and regulated throughout the journey!

Our Vetted Travel Sensory Survival Gear (Tap to Expand)

Noise Defence (The Best Pair We've Found)

Ear defenders are absolute non-negotiables for blocking out piercing transport screeching, echoing airport terminals, and high-stimulus attractions.

We purchased our Alpine Muffy Kids Ear Defenders via Amazon* over three years ago and they are still going strong. They are durable, comfortable, and we never leave the house without them packed in our daypack.

Safe Oral Stimming (The Collar and Cuff Chewing Fix)

A key early sign that our boys are getting anxious is when they start chewing on their t-shirt collars or jumper cuffs. To protect their clothes and lower their stress levels in dense crowds, we always offer them an official Chewbuddy Oral Chewable via Amazon* in their favourite colour.

They can hold it or attach it directly to their sunflower lanyard, providing an instant, durable, and safe oral stimming outlet to help them self-regulate on the move.

Tactile Distraction (Buying Vital Extra Time)

The moment our boys' waiting tolerance starts hitting its limit, we know it is time to deploy the fidget packs. Before we leave the house, we ask the boys to pre-fill their favorite pencil case with a selection of small tactile toys from this Mini Fidget Toy Travel Set via Amazon*.

Having their familiar toys close at hand keeps restless bodies busy, brings a smile to their faces, and buys us that vital extra time to clear a slow-moving queue or ticket booth!

Scented Aromatherapy Grounding Tools

Olfactory input is a powerful tool to quickly calm erratic breathing and lower panic during transitions. We love this filled, 100% cotton William Morris Lavender Sachet via Amazon* which the boys can hold, squish, or bring to their nose to smell.

If your child responds well to calming scents, we highly recommend packing Tisserand 100% Essential Lavender Oil via Amazon*.

I simply place a few drops onto a tissue alongside a drop of Tisserand Jasmine* or Rose Absolute Essential Oil via Amazon* for them to sniff gently.

If direct oils are too intense for your child's sensory profile, you can use this incredibly calming Tisserand roller ball and body mist via Amazon* to create an instant, safe, and familiar scented space for them to decompress.

About the Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard was created in 2016 and launched in Gatwick Airport in the May of that year. The lanyard was originally designed to help airport staff identify passengers that may need additional help while travelling / transiting through the airport.

Internationally accepted:

It was such a success that the scheme was rolled out across all major UK airports over the next three years. It is now used across society both in the UK and abroad, including attractions, supermarkets, GP surgeries, the NHS, museums, galleries, libraries and other transport providers. Millions have now been distributed to people all over the world.

🚄 Heading to London or Europe soon? Since the lanyard is accepted by major transport links and venues, make sure to read our tried-and-tested Top 10 London Attractions for Autistic Kids or explore our Step-by-Step Guide to Eurostar Special Assistance from London to see exactly how we used our lanyards to bypass massive holiday crowds!

Inclusive and Accessible:

The lanyard can be worn by anyone, you do not have to prove to anyone that you are disabled, and there is no list of included conditions or diagnoses. If you or your child would like people to know that you have a hidden disability, then you can wear one.

Autistic boy wearing the hidden disability sunflower lanyard around his neck

Why Consider a Sunflower Lanyard for Your Autistic / ADHD child?

Both of our boys are neurodivergent, and it is not always obvious to passers-by that they have a hidden disability like autism and ADHD.

We first discovered the lanyard in 2023 when we booked airport special assistance for a flight departing from Gatwick. At first, neither we nor the boys were sure about wearing it. It seemed so bright, and we worried it would make us stand out in a way that felt uncomfortable.

Fast forward two years, and we have completely changed our minds! The boys love wearing them, and we take our lanyards with us wherever we go.

An autistic child wearing a hiden disability sunflower lanyard on board a plane, looking out of the window — Proud to wear his sunflower Lanyard on board the plane

Why It Works for Our Neurodivergent Boys:

The Built-In Fidget Clip: A huge design win is the clip at the bottom of the lanyard. You can easily attach a favourite chewy toy, sensory toggle, or fidget tool directly to it so it is always within your child's reach.
Parent Advocacy: We absolutely recommend getting a sunflower lanyard for your child. Remember, if your child is sensory-sensitive and dislikes things around their neck, you can wear it on their behalf to signal their needs to staff!

Read on to discover the 8 biggest reasons why this simple tool can transform your next family holiday.

8 reasons why you or your child should wear a sunflower lanyard if the are autistic or have ADHD

Gives Staff a Gentle, Visual Heads-Up
It lets those around you know that your child may find interactions with new people or environments more difficult than others. We have found that venue staff are more likely to give us time and space to do what we need to do for our children, without us having to ask for it.
Reduces Stress in Healthcare Settings
GPs, hospitals, dentists etc are all places that autistic kids may feel extra stressed. Spotting the lanyard makes it clear to staff that your child will need extra support - allowing them to adapt their communication or interactions to help your child stay calm and receptive.

Empowers Workers to Assist You
Workers are often trained to recognise the lanyards and know why people wear them. They will feel more confident about starting a conversation with you, and it makes it easier for you to ask for help or explain what adjustments your child might need.

Provides Confidence in Long Queues
It gives us as parents the confidence to ask to use the disabled access queue / or move to the front of a queue. This is a game changer at entrances to tourist attractions. museums, galleries etc.

Parent Pro-Tip: We always carry our official proof of disability, such as the National Hidden Disability Card and the Access Card, but because of the visible lanyard, we are rarely ever asked to pull them out. We also carry proof of disability such as the National Hidden Disability Card and Access Card but are rarely asked to show them.

Reduces Judgement from Passers-by
Meltdowns in public spaces can be incredibly stressful. We have found that other people are less likely to view our children as badly behaved - the sunflower lanyard signifies that there is more going on in the moment then they realise.

Connects You with the Neurodivergent Community
It regularly starts positive conversations with other parents. It is not unusual for other mums or dads to reach out and say something like... "I see your son is wearing the sunflowers, is he autistic? My daughter / grandson etc... is as well."

Access to Dedicated Airport Queues
Many airports (like Gatwick) now have a dedicated passport queue for people wearing the sunflower lanyard. This can be helpful if this part of the journey is difficult for your child and they would benefit from greater understanding. It is not a skip the queue pass, but they will try to process you through as quickly as they can.

I think this last point is the most important one:

Instils Pride and Self-Advocacy in Our Kids
Encouraging our autistic children to wear the sunflower lanyard instils in them the belief that they should never be ashamed or afraid to ask for extra support or help. Wearing the lanyard validates their right to be included and lets them know that it is ok to expect society to make reasonable adjustments (normally in terms of attitude, language and behaviour) to enable to them to participate in activities or access services.

Where can I get a sunflower lanyard for my autistic or ADHD child?

Sunflower lanyards are available from a wide variety of public places, transport hubs, and online sources. Here is how you can secure one for your next family holiday:

Pick One Up For Free in Person

Many venues, attractions, and major transport providers who sign up for the Sunflower scheme distribute the lanyards completely free of charge.

Special Assistance Desks: You can easily pick one up at the customer service or special assistance desks at most major UK airports and train stations.

The Official Map: The Hidden Disabilities (HD) Sunflower website features a interactive map to help you locate local venues, supermarkets, and libraries near you that hand them out.

Order Securely Online for Peace of Mind Before You Travel

We've found it can be helpful to introduce your child to the lanyard before you begin your journey, so they have the chance to wear it for the first time when they feel relaxed and comfortable. You can also build it into pre-journey planning and visual stories.

It is very easy to buy the lanyard from the Official Hidden Disabilities Store on Amazon* - these are internationally accepted and recognized by security staff.

Premium Comfort Upgrade: Official "Sunny" Small Lanyard Set: For younger children or those who find soft textures help them cope with transitions during travel, we highly recommend the Official Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard with Sunny Plush Companion*.

Rather than a standard flat strap, this official lanyard set features a really lovely ultra-soft, weighted plush sunflower charm that acts as a discreet soft-touch tool to help lower anxiety during stressful queues.

Crucially, it is available in a tailored Small (70cm) size designed specifically for children, ensuring it fits cleanly above the waist and stays clear of airport or train ticket barriers. This child's lanyard offers global recognition and genuine sensory reassurance.

⚠️ Avoid Counterfeit Products: Please do not buy your lanyards from random, unverified sellers on eBay or Amazon. They are highly likely to be fake, low-quality counterfeit products, or being resold by individuals who obtained them for free.

I really hope you find the lanyard to be as genuinely helpful as we all have - we truly never leave home without one!

Happy Travels x

Join Our Neurodivergent Travel Community

Planning a vacation with sensory-sensitive kids doesn't have to be overwhelming. Sign up to receive our free Autism Travel newsletter to get our latest tried-and-tested destination guides, safety checklists, and sensory hacks sent straight to your inbox this year.

🗺️ Expand Your Adventure: Related Guides & Itineraries

If you found this lanyard guide helpful, check out our other comprehensive resources designed to keep your family travel calm, structured, and fun:

🏛️ Top 10 London Family Attractions for Autistic Kids – Discover how we use our sunflower lanyards to bypass massive holiday crowds at London's best historic sights.

🛫 Flying with Autistic Children: A Stress-Free Airport Guide – Our step-by-step framework for navigating airport security, boarding, and flights with neurodivergent kids.

🧳 Packing to Go Away with Autistic Children: Essential Sensory Checklists – Don't leave home without the essentials. Here is exactly what we pack to keep our boys regulated on the move.

The National Disability Card & Access Card Guide – How to apply for official travel proof of disability to secure free carer tickets across the UK.

🎒 Top Tips for Traveling with Autistic Children – Our ultimate, big-picture advice index for a successful, meltdown-free family holiday.

More information on travelling with or using special assistance for autism and ADHD:

Introduction to Special Assistance

Special Assistance at Airports

Special Assistance on Airlines

Special Assistance on Eurostar departing London

Special Assistance on Eurostar departing Paris

Useful Links to some UK airports and their special assistance pages and resources:

Before you travel, we highly recommend reviewing your departure airport's dedicated accessibility resources. Here is our comprehensive directory of official UK airport special assistance links:

📍 Special Assistance at London & South West Airports

London Gatwick

Sunflower lanyards - hidden disabilities and general accessibility

AccessAble Guides page to the Airport e.g. South Terminal Toilet and Changing Places Facilities

London Heathrow

General Accessibility Page

Sunflower Lanyard Scheme

Sensory pack: To support passengers with non-visible disabilities, Heathrow is currently offering free sensory objects packs in all terminals. The pack can be requested at the following locations .

London Stansted

General Accessibility page

Non-visible disabilities page

Selection of Familiarisation videos about the airport with the aim of reducing anxiety

Bristol

Special Assistance homepage

Hidden disabilities page

A helpful Autism Alert card (pdf)

📍 Special Assistance at North England Airports

Manchester

Special Assistance homepage

Invisible disabilities page