Family Feature: Traveling with Children on the Spectrum with the Perez Family

The day after Mother’s Day feels like the perfect time to celebrate the moms who make magic happen behind the scenes — the planners, the comforters, the advocates, and the memory makers. At Kids Love Travel, I wanted to begin a new series dedicated to highlighting real families and the many different ways they experience travel together.

Welcome to our very first Family Feature — spotlighting the incredible Perez family and their honest, heartfelt journey traveling with children on the spectrum.

Because for so many families, these conversations matter.

Meet the Perez Family

“We are the Perez family — Chris (dad), Marie (mom), and our 3 boys: Connor (7), Kellen (5), and Brennan (4). We have 2 amazing autistic boys: Connor and Kellen. Our furbaby is an ornery corgi named Kevin.”

Marie is an oncology nurse and Chris is a high school teacher, careers that have helped give their family flexibility for summer adventures and meaningful time together. Travel has always been important to them — even before kids.

In fact, Marie laughs, remembering how she insisted on taking a Disney trip before trying for children because Chris compared Disney to Cedar Point. Today? He may love Disney even more than she does.

The couple started traveling with Connor when he was only several months old, prioritizing experiences and family memories over almost everything else. From annual beach vacations to Ohio day trips and multi-state adventures, travel became woven into the fabric of their family life long before autism diagnoses entered the picture.

Their First Big Trip After Diagnosis

Connor was first evaluated for autism in the fall of 2022, shortly after turning 3. Kellen’s evaluation followed in spring 2023.

Their first major trip after diagnosis was a long road trip to Indian Rocks Beach — a destination deeply connected to Marie’s own childhood memories.

“We were the crazy people taking 3 small kids on a 16+ hour drive to Florida.”

The trip came with beautiful moments:

• Visiting the ZooTampa at Lowry Park

• Discovering Buc-ee's

• Watching the boys do better in the car than expected

• Making memories with grandparents who flew in to help support them

  
  

But Marie is also honest about the challenges.

Hotel nights after long driving days were chaotic. The kids fed off each other’s energy. Continental breakfasts felt overwhelming. Condo balcony safety caused intense anxiety.

“I moved furniture to block doors and was even on higher alert than usual.”

That level of mental load is something many parents of children on the spectrum understand immediately.

And yet, despite the exhaustion and stress, Marie reflects on those memories with gratitude.

“The core memories made are priceless.”

Choosing Destinations With Intention

When Marie researches destinations, she’s not simply looking for a pretty beach or fun attractions. Every decision is filtered through safety, sensory needs, accessibility, and regulation.

After the anxiety surrounding the condo balcony trip, she now carefully researches:

• Room layouts

• Balcony access

• Door safety

• Pool locations

• Activity options nearby

  
  

“For hotel — no balcony access for us.”

She explained that their boys need movement and stimulation throughout the day.

“Our boys are active and will destroy a house if kept cooped up.”

That means destinations with variety work best:

• Beaches

• Zoos

• Playgrounds

• Aquariums

• Boat rides

• Splash pads

  
  

One destination their family especially loved was South Haven.

“So many cute towns to explore and playgrounds on all the beaches!”

How They Prepare Before a Trip

One thing that stood out while talking with Marie was how much preparation happens long before departure day.

The moment a trip is booked, they begin talking about it with the boys.

“We continue to emphasize the month we will be going and our mode of travel.”

The family uses maps often because the boys love seeing:

• Which states they’ll drive through

• Where they’re headed

• How they’ll get there

  
  

As trips get closer, they use countdowns and familiar markers the children understand, like: “We go to the beach the week school ends.”

Marie also prioritizes reducing stress on departure day:

• The car is packed the night before

• Safe foods are packed and accessible

• The boys sometimes sleep in next day’s travel clothes

  
  

There’s constant reassurance, repetition, and verbal preparation.

Must-Have Travel Essentials

When asked what she never travels without, Marie’s answer was immediate and incredibly practical.

Her must-haves include:

• Safe foods and snacks

• Preferred toys and fidgets

• Favorite books

• Comfort blankets for the car

• Childproofing supplies

• Portable fans for heat sensitivity

  
  

“I always looked at the house’s door handles and brought the correct childproofing equipment.”

Connor is especially sensitive to heat, making portable fans a necessity during warmer trips.

These aren’t just packing conveniences — they’re tools that help make travel possible and more manageable for their family.

Navigating Airports, Flights, and Long Drives

Travel days can be some of the hardest moments for families with neurodivergent children, and Marie openly shares both the struggles and the strategies that help.

For their first post-diagnosis flight through the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, they requested an airport accommodation kit that included a social story about airports and flying.

Connor and Kellen also wore sunflower lanyards to indicate they may need additional patience or accommodations.

“The airport staff were wonderful in recognizing the lanyard.”

At the same time, they learned some valuable lessons:

• Early flights and layovers are difficult for their family

• Direct flights are worth budgeting for

• Airport food expectations need to be discussed beforehand

• Sensory spaces are worth researching in advance

  
  

Marie recalls a particularly difficult airport moment when the boys expected McDonald’s fries at breakfast time and struggled when they weren’t available, leading to a full meltdown in the food court.

Instead of giving up on travel, they adapted.

Now Marie researches:

• Airport restaurants

• Sensory rooms

• Terminal layouts

• The fastest and least stressful routes possible

  
  

Their Road Trip Strategy

Road trips remain one of their favorite ways to travel, but they approach them differently than many families might.

One of their biggest strategies?

Movement breaks.

“When we think we will need a longer break, I start googling nearby playgrounds.”

They intentionally stop at unique playgrounds along the route, allowing the boys 30–45 minutes to run, regulate, and reset before getting back in the car.

Restaurants are often skipped entirely because sitting still for long periods is difficult.

Instead:

• Meals happen at playgrounds

• Happy Meals are eaten in the car

• Stops are planned around movement instead of convenience

  
  

And if there’s a Buc-ee's along the way? That’s almost always a guaranteed stop.

Managing Changes, Meltdowns, and Sensory Overload

One of the most valuable parts of Marie’s story is how honest she is about dysregulation, transitions, and emotional overwhelm.

When routines change unexpectedly, she explains things repeatedly and honestly.

“I talk like a broken record.”

Connor especially needs to understand why something is changing.

Marie focuses heavily on:

• Age-appropriate explanations

• Constant reassurance

• Staying calm herself

• Identifying what each child needs in the moment

  
  

Sometimes the boys need hugs. Sometimes they need space.

And when sensory overload happens while exploring?

“Exit plan.”

That simple phrase says so much.

The family has learned to recognize when a child is reaching the point of no return and when it’s time to leave an environment before things escalate further.

For Kellen, noise sensitivity has increased recently, making noise-canceling headphones essential.

Marie and Chris often divide responsibilities:

• One parent supports the dysregulated child

• The other focuses on the siblings

They also pause to ask:

• Are they hungry?

• Are they tired?

• Is the environment too overstimulating?

  
  

And if those needs can be addressed, they try to do so immediately.

The Hardest Travel Moment

One of the most emotional parts of Marie’s story came during their flight to Disney after an already difficult layover.

Kellen became overwhelmed and dysregulated on the plane, crying, kicking the seat ahead of him, and struggling with ear pain and frustration.

“The eye rolls and comments said aloud left me so defeated.”

Marie found herself trying to physically comfort and contain her child while simultaneously feeling judged by those around her.

“I start to cry from the stress and the looks I’m getting.”

But what she remembers most afterward was the kindness from other nearby passengers who offered encouragement and compassion after the flight ended.

“I needed this so much.”

That moment perfectly highlights something Marie wishes more people understood:

“A little kindness goes a long way.”

Disney and Accessible Travel

The family’s trip to Walt Disney World Resort was one of their biggest adventures yet.

Disney’s DAS accommodations made a tremendous difference for their boys, helping reduce stress and make the parks more manageable.

Marie admits she’s already anxious about reapplying before their next Disney trip because of how impactful those supports were for their family.

Without them, the experience would look very different.

That honesty is important because accessible travel resources are not “extras” for many families — they’re essential tools that help make experiences possible.

The Little Things Become the Biggest Memories

One of the sweetest stories Marie shared had nothing to do with major attractions.

It was a donut shop in Oak Island.

The boys loved it so much they talked about it all year long.

“It’s the simple things like getting my first coffee of the day and letting the kids get donuts every morning.”

This summer, they’re returning to the exact same beach house for the first time ever because the familiarity brings comfort and excitement.

Their perfect setup includes:

• Beach

• Pool

• Splash pad

• Playground

• Dole whip stand

• Donut shop

  
  

All within minutes of their rental house.

“Pure bliss.”

Marie’s Advice to Other Families

If there’s one message Marie hopes other families hear, it’s this:

“Take the trip!”

Yes, there will be stress.

Yes, there will be challenges.

Yes, things may not go perfectly.

But the joy, confidence, growth, and memories matter deeply.

She encourages families to:

• Start small if needed

• Trust their instincts

• Plan around their child’s needs

• Ask for help without guilt

• Focus on what brings their children joy

  
  

“You know your child’s needs better than anyone.”

Why These Stories Matter

Traveling with children on the spectrum often requires immense planning, emotional energy, flexibility, advocacy, and resilience.

Behind every smiling vacation photo may be:

• Hours of preparation

• Sensory accommodations

• Safety planning

• Emotional regulation

• Backup plans

• Tears

• Triumphs

• And incredible love

  
  

This new Family Feature series is about creating space for those honest stories.

Not just the highlight reel — but the reality.

Because families deserve to feel seen, understood, encouraged, and supported.

To the Perez family: thank you for sharing your story, your wisdom, and your heart with the Kids Love Travel community. Your openness will undoubtedly help other families feel brave enough to take the trip too.

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