Car safety is important for all children, but especially kids with special needs. Our daughter has a severe form of autism, and although she is physically capable of riding in a car with no problem, her condition did create a few issues when she was younger. If your child has special needs, it is important you research car safety thoroughly and take every possible precaution against injury while riding around town.

1- Consult a Physician

Since there are many different types of special needs, it is impossible to determine things like special car seats and positioning from a single article. Talk to your child's physician about the best way to transport her from one place to another. You may need to purchase a special car seat or follow different positioning guidelines to keep her safe. In that case, a physician's direction is the safest way to go.

2- Avoid Long Trips

Long car trips can be hard on kids with special needs, especially if your child has physical ailments that might cause her to be stiff or sore after sitting in the same position for too long. If you're going on a road trip or if you plan to be in the car for a significant period of time, plan stops along the route where you can get out and take a break. This is the best way to ensure that your child is safe and comfortable in the car.

3- Sit in the Back

Some kids with special needs require constant attention, so it may be necessary to sit in the back seat with your child while someone else drives. Car safety means keeping an eye on your child at all times, so tag-team parenting might be the best way to go. If you have to transport your child alone, older kids can sit in the front seat, and younger children can look at a mirror attached to the back of the car in a rear-facing seat.

4- Talk Often

Even if your child isn't old enough to understand what you're saying, and even she isn't capable of understanding speech, talking will sooth kids with special needs during a car trip. Talk about the weather, your plans for the weekend, the latest project at work - whatever. Talking in a calm and patient voice will soothe even the most anxious child until you reach your destination.

5- Apply for Handicap Parking Plates

Even though you aren't the one with the handicap, special needs kids can benefit from a handicap parking plate for car trips. Handicap spaces provide more room for parents to maneuver car seats or special adaptations, which means there is a smaller risk for injury to the child or parent. If you are denied a plate, you can park in a space where there are no vehicles on either side for easier loading and unloading.

6- Secure Equipment

For special needs kids who have to travel with special equipment, such as oxygen tanks, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs or ventilators, you will need a method by which to firmly secure all objects. Car safety requires that nothing is able to strike your child in the event of an accident or sharp turn, so you may have to use belts or Bungee cords to ensure that your child is safe in the vehicle