16 | Traveling with Autism & Sensory-Friendly Vacations | Dawn Barclay

Traveling with a neurodivergent child can feel overwhelming for many families. Changes in routine, unfamiliar environments, sensory overload, airports, hotels, and long days away from home can create anxiety for both children and parents. In this episode of the Autism Family Toolkit Podcast, Brian Keene speaks with author and travel writer Dawn Barclay about practical strategies that can help make traveling more manageable for neurodivergent families. Dawn shares insights from her book Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for the Anxious, the Inflexible and the Neurodiverse. She discusses why preparation and predictability are so important for autistic children and explains how families can gradually introduce new travel experiences in supportive ways. Families will also learn about autism-friendly travel programs, sensory-friendly environments, and ways to make vacations more child-centered and less overwhelming. This episode offers realistic, parent-friendly strategies for helping children feel more comfortable, supported, and successful during travel experiences. Topics Covered • Why travel can feel overwhelming for neurodivergent children • Sensory challenges during vacations and travel • How to prepare children for new environments • Social stories and previewing travel experiences • Child-centered vacation planning • Creating predictable travel routines • Autism-friendly hotels, museums, and airports • Supporting anxious or inflexible children during travel Memorable Quote "What children on the spectrum need is a sense of predictability and a frame of reference." About the Guest Dawn Barclay is a travel writer and author of Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for the Anxious, the Inflexible and the Neurodiverse. She has written about travel for more than 30 years and focuses on helping neurodivergent families access meaningful travel experiences. Resources Mentioned Traveling Different https://travelingdifferent.com Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for the Anxious, the Inflexible and the Neurodiverse by Dawn Barclay IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards) About the Host Brian Keene is the host of the Autism Family Toolkit Podcast and founder of Pure Hearts Therapy. Pure Hearts Therapy provides home-based pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and family-centered support for neurodivergent children and families in Arizona. Subscribe & Connect If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with another parent who might benefit from this conversation. Listen and subscribe to the Autism Family Resource Podcast: https://pod.link/1591840956 Explore more resources for families at: https://pureheartstherapy.com