Packing for your special kiddo

We are going to Disneyland! It’s been four years since our last trip and we are beyond excited to take a couple of days this month to go back.

The packing process is tough for anyone with kids but having a neuro-divergent munchkin adds a little bit more planning to the mix. Any kind of trip throws a wrench in his routine, so we try to bring as many comforts from home as possible to make things a bit easier. He loves Disneyland and we want him and his brother and sister to have as much fun as possible on this trip.

Here are some things to think about when packing for a theme park vacation with a special kiddo:

Comfy clothes 

My son has sensory processing disorder, so there are certain clothes he will not wear, some he tolerates, and some are his favorites. Because he is going into an overly-stimulating environment, I’m going to pack all his favorite, comfortable clothes. And of course, his best Jurassic World underwear. You can’t go anywhere without that.

Medications

We have a whole regime of meds we must keep track of for both the adults and one of the kids, so we need to make sure all the prescriptions are filled before we go, and that I have them sorted by morning, noon and night. And I need to  to keep some in my purse for that lunchtime dose since we will probably be eating in the theme park.

Bedtime routine items 

I know by age 7 most kids can use alternate blankets and don’t need their stuffed animals, but neuro-divergent kids cling to their routine. So, I need to pack those key items, so we can all get some sleep.

White noise machine 

Hotels are loud places and having a white noise machine helps drown out some of the loud footsteps and late-night chatter that can keep sensitive ears awake.

Noise cancelling headphones 

Speaking of sensitive ears, it’s great to have some noise canceling headphones on hand for fireworks, parades, and any other times of day when the noise gets to be just too much.

Food and drinks 

I pack my purse with a few granola bars and other snacks I know my son will eat in case we have some food struggles in the food park. It’s also good to have some of their favorite comfort food items in the hotel room for wake-up and bedtimes to help calm things down if you cannot get to a restaurant for a while. I also bring plenty of bottles of water for bedtime drinks. You'd be surprised how comforting some water in your favorite cup can be at bedtime after a long sensory overloaded day.

What about you? What are some of the things you absolutely cannot leave behind for your kiddos when traveling to Disneyland or on other vacations?