Oct 29 2024 30 mins 1
Family vacations often bring up images of relaxation and bonding, but for families with neurodivergent children, they can feel stressful, frustrating, and even impossible. Many parents find themselves torn between the desire to create lasting memories and the fear of overwhelming sensory experiences or meltdowns in unfamiliar environments.
This struggle is all too real for both parents and therapists working with neurodivergent families.
On this week’s episode, we’re looking into the world of travel through a neurodivergent lens, offering a fresh perspective on how to approach family vacations. We explore the concept of "sensory cups" and how understanding this framework can transform your travel planning. From rethinking traditional vacation spots to discovering hidden gems that cater to neurodivergent needs, this episode is packed with insights that challenge conventional wisdom about family travel.
For therapists, this episode provides valuable tools to support clients in expanding their comfort zones and building confidence in new environments. And for parents, it offers a roadmap to turn potential vacation pitfalls into opportunities for growth and connection. We discuss practical strategies for advocating for accommodations, creating positive associations with travel, and celebrating small victories along the way.
Tune in to discover how reframing your approach to family vacations can lead to more joyful, less stressful experiences for everyone involved. Whether you're a parent looking to plan your next trip or a therapist seeking new ways to empower your clients, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to make travel more accessible and enjoyable for neurodivergent families.
The Zero Disturbance podcast is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for a therapeutic relationship or individualized mental health or medical care.
Mentioned in This Episode:
- Parenting Neurodivergence Resource Bundle: Get on the waitlist.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to plan trips with a focus on minimizing transitions to manage sensory overload for neurodivergent children.
- Strategies for building positive associations with travel and vacations for neurodivergent kids.
- Tips for advocating and requesting accommodations at airports and other travel venues for children with autism or ADHD.
- The importance of choosing destinations and accommodations that align with a neurodivergent child's sensory needs and interests.
- How to reframe expectations for family vacations to focus on what works for your neurodivergent family rather than traditional vacation norms.
- Practical tips for managing sensory challenges during travel, such as using sensory tools and creating quiet spaces for decompression.
Come learn with us at Zero Disturbance:
Want to learn more about empowering yourself to experience therapy or coaching on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, you wont want to miss out on The Client Workbook + supporting videos!
We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey.
Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle.
With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.
