Ep 072: Travel Planning with Anxious, Inflexible, Neurodiverse Kids

Travel can be a challenge for most people, but for children who are neurodiverse or have special needs, it can feel overwhelming at best and impossible at worst. Travel IS possible, and it can help reinforce the lessons we teach them in learning flexibility and how to meet challenges head-on.

Dawn M. Barclay is an award-winning author who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry. She worked in sales and marketing for her parents’ two firms, Barclay Travel Ltd and then branched out into travel trade reporting with senior or contributing editor positions at Travel Agent Magazine, Travel Life, Travel Market Report, and most recently, Insider Travel Report. She is a mother of two. Dawn’s book, Traveling Different presents travel strategies and anecdotes from Certified Autism Travel ProfessionalsTM, parents of special needs children, associations and advocates, and mental health professionals, broken down by mode of transportation and type of venue.

Listen to this Parenting with Impact episode with Dawn Barclay about navigating the challenges and fear of traveling with a complex kid.

Ten Tips for Calm and Confident Parenting of Complex Kids

Parenting complex kids can be difficult, even mind-numbing at times. In this FREE Guide you’ll find clear, quick guidance to help you calm the chaos and more confidently prepare your child for greater independence and success! Learn techniques parents all over the world are using to reduce friction and (believe it!) rediscover the joy of parenting.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

• Small steps to ease your child into travel, and pinpointing triggers
• Creating specific activities just for your kid- include them in planning
• Explore the ever-growing options for special accommodation for your child

Traveling Different, the “Autism Travel Bible,” to Be Released in Paperback April 2024 as Part of National Autism Acceptance Month

Links Mentioned:

• IBCCES
• Certified Autism Center
• Carol Gray Social Stories
• Traveling Different Book

Connect with Dawn:

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

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