Preparing for a summer road trip with children with disability

Key Points:

• Preplanning your summer road trip can help you and your family have a successful journey with minimal fuss
• Involving your child with disability in the journey by telling them where they’re going and what they will see along the way can be a comfort for them
• Strapping your child into the car is the last thing on your to-do list, so make sure the car is packed first

If you have a child or children with a disability, you may need to do some preplanning to ensure that your road trips are a sucess.

We know long car journeys can be stressful and boring, so consider what needs to be done before bundling your kids in and taking off.

Here are our tips on preparing for a successful road trip:

Firstly, where and when are you going?

A spontaneous road trip can be fun and exciting, but putting a bit of thought into where you’re going and when you plan to leave can help your child with a disability enjoy the journey there.

Some children with disability don’t like surprises or unexpected change, so last-minute adventures may not be on the cards for your family. To ensure that your child with disability is able to enjoy a trip to its fullest, planning ahead can make all the difference.

How many days are you going away? How long will it take you to get there? What is the temperature going to be?

Map out what you need to pack, what activities you may do to pass the time, where you can stop along the way and what accessibility obstacles you may come across.

Australian summer days are particularly hot, so you may find it better to travel at night or early morning when it is cooler. It might mean your child will sleep through the journey which can help make the trip go smoother, particularly if they don’t enjoy car travel.

Keep stress at an all-time low

Planning ahead can also ensure the journey and the trip overall is as stress-free as possible for you and your child.

Your child may find car travel stressful but understanding why will help you dissolve these travel barriers. Maybe they dislike the smell of the car, the noise or being restrained by a seatbelt or safety harness.

To help prevent anxiety, plan to have comfort items close by such as blankets, earplugs and window shades.

After planning your location and journey, you can inform your child of where you’re going in advance so there are no surprises. They may even be interested in knowing the route you will take so they can follow the journey and pinpoint the stops along the way. 

Particularly if you are going on a longer holiday or it is going to take you a while to get there, entertainment is crucial to help pass the time and stay calm.

Be sure to download some of your child’s favourite games, films, books or activities on an electronic tablet or load up the portable television and DVD player.

Prepping the car

Packing up the car and making sure you have everything can be a tedious task, but preparing what you need for the trip and prepping the car before the day you leave can help streamline the onoading process.

Grab a piece of paper or open the Notes app on your phone and write yourself a list.

Ensure your child’s spot in the car is ready for them – whether that means fitting in their car seat, making sure their window has a shade if they are sensitive to light and that the airconditioning can reach them well. 

Depending on how well your child travels in the car, you may run into some moments of irritability and distress, so consider having someone sit in the back with them for the journey. 

You don’t want you or the driver getting distracted while on the road so if it is likely that your child needs attention, either pull over to tend to your child or organise for someone to sit next to them on the way there.

If your child is feeling distressed or irritable, try and change the environment by rolling the windows down, changing the song on the stereo or start a conversation with them to distract them from their feelings.

Have some colouring books or puzzle books within arms reach and put their favourite toys and stuffed animals into the car before they get in.

Make sure you’ve also got room to fit your bag of supplies for the road.

Your bag of supplies should be full of things you may need inside the car while travelling, including ample water to drink and some favourite foods and drinks to snack on.

Finally, to avoid any boredom or irritability, make sure to pack your children into the car last once everything else is done.

Now you’re all set! 

Have you been on a road trip with a child with disability? What tips do you have? Let us know in the comments below. 

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