How to survive a car trip with your special needs child

May 13, 10:52 AMMobile Special Needs Kids ExaminerMargot Hamilton

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Imaginary happy family on car trip

Taking a trip this summer? Here are some tips for keeping you and your special needs child happy.

GET A DVD PLAYER FOR THE CAR. I can't over-stress this point. In addition, make sure your DVDs don't skip or you'll spend all your time reaching for the player and trying to figure out what's going on.

Take DVDs that teach you're child something. Little Einstein's sign language DVDs are great.

Don't try to learn sign language while you drive.

Learn how to use the DVD player before you go on the trip!

Take an iPOD so you can relax instead of listening to the Wiggles or Barney or any other kid's show the entire trip. Just make sure you only put a speaker in one ear so you can hear the sirens when you're pulled over.

If you are pulled over, roll down the back window so the officer can see the situation you're dealing with in the back seat. Chances are he won't give you a ticket.

Take a diaper changing pad. I learned not all McDonald's have changing tables and I wouldn't recommend using the tables in the restaurant.

If your child's in diapers use an over-night diaper in the car to save on pit-stops. You can also wear an adult size diaper if you're really in a hurry to get there!

Take lots of snacks and don't worry about having them thrown all over the interior of your car. Hey, you guys are on vacation, you can deal with that five day old taco when you get home.

Keep your child's sippy cup in a soft huggie so you won't get a concussion or a fat lip when it's thrown at you.

Go to a hotel or condo where the rooms are off an inside corridor so your child can crawl, roll or run off all that energy before and after your daily excursions. Just try to keep them from knocking on the doors of other guests.

When you go out, take plenty of liquid and take it in a cup your child's familiar with. Children become easily dehydrated so keep them downing Gatorade, water, or anything you can get them to drink. However, don't let them drink your Bloody Mary. If your child is listless and weak chances are you have a dehydrated kid. So, keep that liquid flowing - you don't want to spend your entire vacation at the emergency clinic waiting for the the IV bag to drain.

Make sure you take your child's favorite blanket, stuffed animal or toy. You don't want to get in after a pressing day and have to deal with a cranky kid because YOU forgot the essentials.

Make sure you have map-quested or Googled the directions if you don't have a GPS. Also, make sure when you're on your way home you reverse the directions. You don't want to be in the car any longer than necessary. However, taking the back roads can be interesting. You'll meet all kinds of folks who have never been 30 miles outside their hometown and are clueless about how to get you back on track.

Take lots of sunscreen, an umbrella, hats, more sunscreen, etc. A screaming sun-burned child is no vacation. By the way, it's “in” to be white these days.

If you're going to the beach make sure you take someone with you to help carry all that beach paraphernalia over the sand or you'll be exhausted before your day even starts. A husband or wife, if you have one, would be a good pack-horse. If you don't have a lesser half you can always cry for help and some good Samaritan may come to your aide. On second thought, just pack a stroller and go to New Orleans instead.

If you have a child with a disability beware that most of these kids do not like much change, so do a little extra meditating before your trip or take whatever your doctor recommends.

Take your baby sitter so you won't have to deal with any of the above listed tips.

Remember, vacations should be fun so just leave your problems behind, live in the moment (as most of us have learned to do), relax, take it slow and don't worry - be happy!