My First Holiday Abroad With Neurodiverse Children | Honest Airport Experience

Travelling abroad with children is exciting, but when your children are neurodiverse, it can also feel incredibly overwhelming. Before booking our first family holiday, I'd spent weeks researching, reading and trying to prepare us for every possible situation. Much of what I learned is covered in my guide to Preparing Your Neurodiverse Child for Going on Holiday, but nothing quite prepares you for experiencing it yourself.

This is the story of our very first holiday abroad, the mistakes I made, the lessons I learned and what I'd do differently now.

Choosing Our First Holiday

When we finally decided to take our first family holiday abroad, I knew we needed to keep things simple.

We chose Majorca because the flight was only around three hours, making it a sensible option for first-time flyers. We also booked an all-inclusive resort. For us, removing the stress of cooking, finding restaurants and worrying about meal costs meant one less thing to think about.

At the time, I thought the holiday itself would be the biggest challenge.

Looking back, I couldn't have been more wrong.

The airport turned out to be the hardest part of the entire trip.

Holiday Morning Excitement... and Parent Panic

Like most parents, I barely slept the night before.

The morning was a whirlwind of finishing the packing, checking passports, making sure we'd packed enough snacks, remembering chargers, medications, favourite toys, spare clothes and every other "just in case" item imaginable.

Meanwhile, my partner was calmly getting ready while I was mentally running through every possible disaster that could happen.

If I'm honest, I was far more anxious than the children.

They were absolutely buzzing with excitement.

My eldest couldn't stop talking about sitting next to the window on the aeroplane, and my youngest happily climbed into the taxi as though we were simply heading out for another family day trip.

For a moment, I actually thought we'd nailed it.

Then We Arrived at the Airport

One thing I've learned since becoming a parent is that no amount of planning can stop unexpected delays.

We queued at check-in for around 45 minutes before finally making our way towards security.

My eldest coped brilliantly.

My youngest didn't.

As soon as we reached the security scanner, she completely refused to walk through.

Within seconds, she became overwhelmed.

Her anxiety quickly developed into a full meltdown.

If you're reading this because you've experienced something similar, you'll know exactly what I mean when I say you suddenly become aware of every person around you.

Some people stared.

Some looked frustrated.

Others smiled sympathetically.

Then there were the parents who gave me that knowing look—the one that silently says, "I've been there."

Security Was Harder Than I Expected

I explained to the security officer that my daughter was neurodiverse and would struggle going through the scanner.

Unfortunately, the response wasn't what I'd hoped for.

Rather than offering reassurance or explaining alternative options, I felt like I was simply being treated as though I was causing a problem.

Eventually, I picked her up and carried her through myself.

Looking back now, I realise how much easier this could have been if I'd arranged Airport Assistance for Neurodiverse Families before we travelled.

At the time, I genuinely thought we could manage without it.

Now I know that asking for help isn't giving up—it's simply making the journey easier for everyone.

We Thought the Hard Part Was Over

Once we'd made it through security, I finally relaxed.

I imagined we'd grab a drink, have something to eat, wander around the shops and wait for boarding.

Instead...

Our flight was delayed.

By three hours.

Three.

Whole.

Hours.

At that moment, I realised just how underprepared I'd been for airport delays.

Looking Back, I'd Do Things Very Differently

There are two things I'd book every single time now.

The first is airport assistance.

The second is an airport lounge.

Some people see lounges as a luxury, but after spending three hours trying to entertain two young children in a busy departure lounge, I see them as a worthwhile investment.

Having quieter surroundings, comfortable seating, unlimited drinks and snacks and somewhere away from the crowds would have reduced everyone's stress levels enormously.

It's something I'll always consider when travelling now.

Preparing for Flying Is Easier Than Preparing for Airports

Before our holiday, we'd worked incredibly hard to prepare the children.

We watched videos showing airports and aeroplanes.

We visited an airport viewing park to watch planes take off and land.

We talked about pilots, seatbelts, security checks and what flying might feel like.

By the time we travelled, they were completely familiar with aeroplanes.

What I hadn't appreciated was just how difficult it is to prepare children for the sensory experience of an airport.

The constant announcements.

The bright lights.

The queues.

The crowds.

The rushing.

The uncertainty.

It's a completely different environment.

If you're preparing your child for their first flight, I'd also recommend reading How to Explain Flying to a Child with Autism, which includes some practical ways to make airports feel more familiar before you travel.

A Comment I'll Never Forget

While we were waiting for our delayed flight, we found a table outside a café.

My youngest was happily babbling away in her own little language.

She also enjoys randomly shouting—not because she's upset, but simply because she feels like it.

A family nearby noticed us.

One of their children was watching my daughter.

Then I heard his mum quietly say,

"Stop staring. There's something wrong with that child."

I'll never forget that moment.

There isn't anything wrong with my daughter.

She experiences the world differently.

She's funny.

She's clever.

She's caring.

She's determined.

She's everything I could ever wish for in a daughter.

Years ago, that comment would probably have reduced me to tears.

Now?

I simply ignored it.

Because comments like that come from ignorance, not understanding.

Surviving the Delay

Those three hours seemed to last forever.

We bought snacks.

Then more snacks.

Then drinks.

Then colouring books.

Then games.

Then even more snacks.

I'm fairly sure we visited the toilets at least seventy-five times.

It wasn't glamorous.

It certainly wasn't cheap.

But eventually boarding was called.

Ironically, once we stepped onto the aeroplane, everything became much easier.

The airport had been the biggest challenge—not the flight itself.

The Biggest Lesson I Learned

If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice before that first holiday, it would simply be this:

Accept every bit of help that's available.

Book airport assistance.

Use a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard if it's appropriate for your child.

Consider booking an airport lounge.

Pack more entertainment than you think you'll ever need.

Most importantly, don't feel guilty for doing whatever makes travelling easier for your family.

Over the years, I've also realised that travelling becomes easier with experience. If airport environments make your child anxious, my guide to Managing Travel Anxiety for Neurodiverse Kids includes practical strategies that have genuinely helped our family.

Final Thoughts

Our first holiday abroad wasn't perfect.

It was messy.

Stressful.

Emotional.

Expensive.

There were moments when I questioned whether travelling abroad was actually worth it.

But then we arrived.

We watched our children splash in the pool, laugh on the beach, try new experiences and create memories we'll never forget.

Every challenge at the airport suddenly felt worthwhile.

If you're about to book your own first holiday with a neurodiverse child, please know that things don't have to go perfectly to be successful.

There will probably be unexpected moments.

There may even be meltdowns.

But there will also be laughter, pride and memories you'll treasure forever.

And if your flight is delayed like ours was, don't panic. Hopefully my guide on How to Handle Flight Delays With Neurodiverse Kids will help you feel much more prepared than I was.

Sometimes the hardest part of the holiday is simply getting there.

Once you arrive, everything else can begin.

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