10 top tips for a successful summer holiday for children with additional needs

Christian parents can prepare for a season of fun and fewer meltdowns with these practical tips for supporting children and young people who need extra care, whether you are travelling or staying at home

Whisper it very quietly, but maybe, just maybe, we might have a really good summer holiday to look forward to. With May, June, and early July all mainly sunny, hopes are high for when the schools break up (of course, it is also possible that a six-week monsoon season will set in!)

So, what do we need to do to prepare our children and young people with additional needs for those holidays to come, whether they are overseas, home country based, or as remains the case for some of us, a staycation at home; here’s 10 top tips to help:

1. Don’t leave it to the last minute – allow processing time

While the attraction of late holiday deals can be tempting, leaving deciding whether to go and where to go until the last minute can make it really difficult for children and young people who need processing time to prepare for a significant change. Plan as far in advance as you can and include them in the planning.

2. Take a mental ‘journey’ though the holiday – list the likely issues

Think about everything from the packing, the travelling, where you are going to stay and sleep, the things you are going to do on holiday, the people you might have with you and the people you might meet, the food you are going eat, everything! What are the ……