Tips for Going on Holiday With an Autistic Child
Holidays can be exciting — and overwhelming
If you’re planning a holiday with an autistic child, you might be carrying excitement and dread at the same time.
You want memories. You want connection.
But you also worry:
Will this be too much?
What if everything unravels?
What if we don’t enjoy it at all?
As a parent of anf AuDHD child, I’ve learned that holidays don’t need to look like everyone else’s to be worthwhile. They just need to feel safe enough for my child’s nervous system — and mine.
These are the things that have helped us.
Plan for regulation, not “perfect behaviour”.
The biggest shift for me was letting go of the idea that holidays should magically make things easier.
For my child, change is hard — even when it’s meant to be fun. New places, unfamiliar beds, different food, unexpected noises… it all adds up.
So now, before I plan activities, I ask:
What helps my child feel safe when things change?
For us, that usually means:
predictability
familiar routines
knowing what’s coming next
having a way to escape when it’s too much
Once I plan around that, everything else becomes optional.
I prepare my child — gently
I’ve learned that surprise rarely goes well for us.
Before a holiday, I:
talk about where we’re going in simple, concrete language
show photos of the accommodation or destination
explain the “big parts” (travel day, where we’ll sleep, when we’ll come home)
remind my child what will stay the same — bedtime routines, favourite items, familiar foods
I don’t go over every detail.
I just help my child feel oriented.
Pack for comfort, not just practicality
Our bags always look fuller than other families’.
But inside are things my child needs to regulate:
safe foods and familiar snacks (i also take plates, bowls and cutlery that my child is familiar with)
comfort items and favourite toys (magnetic tiles are a current favourite)
noise-cancelling headphones (we use spotify to pre-create playlists for calming and soothing)
sensory tools and fidgets (body sock and weighted cuddle toy are our favourites)
familiar pyjamas or bedding (taking their own pillow of sheets that smell like home)
These aren’t “extras.”
They’re supports — and they make a huge difference.
Choose accommodation that gives flexibility
If I have a choice, I always prioritise places where:
we can spread out
it’s quieter
we can rest during the day
close to amenities (grocery store, a park)
Knowing we can retreat when things get hard lowers everyone’s stress — including mine.
Plan less than you think I should
Try to:
plan one main activity per day (sometimes none)
build in rest before my child is overwhelmed
allow slow mornings and early nights
alternate busy days with quiet ones
Rest isn’t something a child earns.
It’s something their nervous system needs.
Lower your expectations (this isnt a bad thing)
Some holidays are beautiful.
Some are hard.
Most are a mix of both.
Plans change. Outings end early. Emotions run high.
And I’m learning that none of that means we’ve failed.
Connection matters more than itineraries.
Safety matters more than photos.
And small moments of joy count.
If you’re reading this and feeling nervous
You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re parenting a child whose nervous system experiences the world differently.
You don’t need a perfect holiday.
You need one that feels safe enough.
And that is more than enough 🤍
