Traveling is stressful in itself. Add having a kiddo with special needs, and it will have you asking the flight attendant for xanax with some wine to chase it with. Here are some tips to help you when traveling with kiddo with special needs.

Airplanes: Let's just start with the most difficult. If you have to travel somewhere by plane get your bags packed and your sanity ready. First call ahead and make arrangements (that's sort of a no brainer). Let them know ahead of time you will be traveling with a child that will require a shuttle to and from connecting flights. When you check in, don't be afraid to ask for assistance. Ask for an extra set of hands, as you may have carseats, wheelchairs, and diaper bags, not to even include your own set of stuff. Set it up ahead of time, then remind them once you check in you need the assistance. This is something I encourage...don't be afraid to ask for help!! Trust me I know you guys are super parents. You think you can do it all and you can. But you don't have to. Take the help when it's there. They will usually let you board the plane ahead of time, take advantage or don't. If you know it's a long flight and you want to spend as little time as possible in the seat, board last (and let the flight attendant know). If you like to go ahead and get settled, take advantage of boarding first. Be conscious of when booking flights that have connecting flights. Although getting there sooner would be ideal, booking connecting flights within a small window will definitely test your sanity as well as your fitness. It's difficult to book it across a crowded airport when you have a kiddo in tow. My recommendation is take the longer layover, have to time grab dinner and hangout while leisurely making it to your connections. My biggest advice when traveling in airports is this. Screw what other people think. Don't overwhelm or frustrate yourself just because others are impatient or intolerant. If your kiddo has a meltdown, let them. Don't get flustered or turn red faced just because other people are pressuring you. Take some deep breaths (and bring mini bottles in your purse). Having another travel partner will help you in this. Whether it's your husband, parent, or friend, if you are lucky enough to con a travel buddy into it with you I promise it will make for a better time. If you have to do it solo, I trust that you can. I had a parent I worked with who had to travel to Italy where her husband currently was at. Her son had autism and she knew she was in for a long flight with a toddler....that had autism. When she got back she told me all about the misery of the flights, and we laughed and laughed. She knew it was going to be tough, but it was quite painful! He cried the entire 12 hour flight, had diahrrea, played with other peoples stuff, and ran the aisles. She was THAT parent and people hated her. And she didn't care. And you shouldn't either.