Special Needs Travel Made Easy with Apps

Special Needs Travel Made Easy with Apps

Technology has paved the way for traveling with special needs.  Not enough spot light has been put on all the special needs apps that have been made to help with nearly every aspect of life and travel.  If only parents and caretakers knew how easy traveling could be with these apps , maybe more special needs families would have the chance to experience a life-changing trip.  Here are some types of apps to consider downloading before your next trip!

Scheduling apps

On trips, following through with a schedule can be challenging.  Maybe there are medications that need to be taken, or airplanes to catch.  Whatever the day holds, a scheduling app can cater to many different disabilities including ADHD and autism.  The timers keep you on schedule throughout the trip, and many of the apps have step-by-step visual cues that entertain the child while keeping them on task.

Communication apps

Apps that are designed for helping a person that can’t speak, or has trouble speaking, can be very expensive.  For example, the Talk For Me app is $100.  They are worth the price, though.  When everyone is able to communicate quickly and effectively, travel can run smoothly.  In the event the special needs traveler needs to communicate to a person other than the people they are traveling with, the app can speak for them.

Behavior motivator app

One of the biggest challenges for special needs families going on a trip can be behavior.  People that are diagnosed with conditions such as ADD, ADHD, autism, and Oppositional Defiance Disorder, struggle to regulate their moods and actions.  Add in the stress from traveling and it can begin to overwhelm.  Luckily, there are plenty of behavior based apps that offer a reward system that you can set-up through the apps.  The programs also keep them on task through timers, photos, and praise for a job well done.  The visual reminders do wonders for keeping behaviors in check.

Games

Don’t stress about a long car or plane ride.  Instead, bring your iPad along and let your special needs loved one play some games.  Many apps double as a learning tool and game.  The special needs game apps cater to different specific conditions, and some of these games can even teach your loved ones some new skills for the trip.

Just remember to bring your chargers for phones and tablets, or a back-up power source!  For more traveling tips like these, contact us!