Hotel & Convention Safety Tips for Special Needs Families

Travel can be both exciting and overwhelming for families with children who have sensory sensitivities, communication differences, or wandering tendencies. With thoughtful planning, autism-friendly accommodations, and the right safety tools, you can make hotel stays and conventions more predictable, comfortable, and safe.

Advocacy organizations emphasize that preparing ahead — especially when traveling with neurodiverse children — lowers stress and creates a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

1. Choose the Right Hotel

Selecting the right place to stay is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for a safe and successful trip:

Research accommodations ahead of time
Look for hotels that:

• Offer quieter rooms — away from elevators and high-traffic areas

• Have sensory-friendly spaces or staff trained to support neurodiverse guests

• Provide room features like blackout curtains, low lighting, or adaptable sleeping arrangements
  Researchers recommend checking ahead and asking about sensory-friendly policies to ensure your child feels comfortable during your stay.

Autism-friendly hotels often provide additional calm areas, designated quiet zones, and trained staff who better understand sensory needs.

2. Plan Your Arrival & Transitions

Children with autism and sensory processing challenges often do best with predictability. Before travel:

• Share flight times and hotel check-in procedures in advance

• Create a visual schedule for your trip

• Practice common scenarios like elevators, hotel lobbies, or crowds

Preparing your child for what to expect reduces anxiety and makes transitions smoother.

3. Establish Safety & Identification Everywhere

Part of your travel planning should include tools that help everyone — hotel staff, caregivers, and first responders — support your child quickly if separation occurs. A multi-layered approach is most effective:

Identification tools to consider:

• Medical ID bracelets with your contact info

• Watch bands for children who tolerate wrist items

• Shoelace tags that stay with shoes even if other items are taken off

• Stickers on tablets, AAC devices, or phones

• Buttons or pins on backpacks, jackets, or lanyards

• Safety T-shirts with simple, clear messaging for busy public areas

Layering tools helps ensure that no matter where your child is or how they behave, identification is visible and actionable if needed. Mentioned at sharewearshop.com, these tools are designed to give peace of mind without reliance on apps or batteries.

4. Use Sensory-Friendly Strategies

Travel and new environments often bring sensory challenges. Consider:

• Packing noise-canceling headphones or sensory tools

• Bringing familiar comfort items (blankets, favorite toys)

• Identifying quiet times or calm zones at your hotel or convention

These strategies support comfort and reduce overwhelm during busy travel days.

5. Communicate With Staff & Other Families

Let hotel staff and event organizers know about your child’s needs — early communication often leads to better support. Some families find success by:

• Requesting sensory-aware staff introductions

• Sharing emergency plans with caregivers in your group

• Asking for room accommodations like lower lighting or routine adjustments

Small gestures — like adding a night light from home — can make your child feel more secure in unfamiliar environments.

Travel Safety Is Family Safety

Travel with special needs kids doesn’t have to be stressful. With thoughtful planning, sensory-aware hotel choices, communication, and layered safety identification tools, your family can enjoy exploration, relaxation, and meaningful memories.

Sharewear’s identification products — from bracelets and shoelace tags to stickers, buttons, shirts, and watch bands — are designed to be part of your safety plan wherever you go. Visit sharewearshop.com to find options that fit your family’s needs.