Our best suggestions for traveling with kids on the autism spectrum
With school coming to a close and the days of summer in front of you, it’s the perfect time of year to take a family vacation, including with kids with autism. Family vacations are a great way to spend quality time together, expand your worldview, and create life-long memories. In general, family vacations require a lot of planning and preparation, but for parents of children with autism, even more planning is required to make sure your vacation is fun for everyone. If you’re traveling with a child with autism, read our tips on how to make this trip your best yet.
When you have a child with autism, traveling out of the comforts of home can be a daunting task but we have compiled a few tips for those of you venturing out this summer that might help make the journey a little smoother:
1. Prepare Your Child For The Vacation Setting
If you’re visiting somewhere your child has never been, help him/her understand what to expect by showing them pictures and videos of the location. It can also be helpful to include images of who is going on the trip, especially if extended family or friends will join you. Finally, be sure to show your child what kind of activities they’ll participate in while they’re on vacation. If it’s possible, practice some of those activities before you leave.
2. Ask For Accommodations
As you’re planning your vacation, reach out to hotels, museums, theme parks, and other attractions to ask if they provide accommodations for children with autism. For many family-friendly vacation locations, you may be able to get special passes that allow you to skip long lines, which can be distressing for many children with ASD.
3. Prepare For The Plane
Navigating the airport can be a headache for everyone while traveling, but it can be especially stressful for children with autism. To help alleviate some of that stress, the Arc’s Wings for Autism® program provides a “rehearsal” of airport travel, including checking in, going through security, and boarding the plane. In addition to practicing airport routines, reach out to TSA Cares 72 hours before your departure. They’ll assist you with any concerns and help your family get through security lines as easily as possible.
For some kids, pre-boarding and getting to their seat early is a wonderful thing but consider your child’s limitations as well. A last-minute boarding with minimal time at the gate on the plane might be a better option for some because it gives the child the maximum amount of time to move around before being constrained to their seat. Discuss with airline personnel whichever option you choose and they should be able to accommodate you.
Once you make it on the plane, have a variety of activities to keep your child busy. Providing favorite activities, like coloring books, books, movies, and toys will help keep your child occupied and entertained throughout the flight. Packing some favorite foods and snacks can also comfort your child and keep them full, especially if you have a long travel day ahead. Don’t forget to pack hard candy or gum so they can pop their ears as the plane descends.
4. Bring Familiar Items
Staying in an unfamiliar hotel while traveling can be stressful for children with autism. To make your home-away-from-home more comfortable, bring some bedding or blankets from home and make up your child’s bed with them. Consider bringing your own toiletries as well. While most hotels provide soap, shampoo, and lotion, your child may be happier using items with familiar textures and scents.
5. Create An Identification System
Wandering off is a common issue for children with autism, especially in unfamiliar places. To keep your child safe if they wander too far, create an identification card with your child’s name, their diagnosis, and your cell number. You may need to get creative with where to place the ID badge so it doesn’t become uncomfortable for your child. Try pinning the card to your child’s shirt, or make it into a sticker, bracelet, or necklace. Before you leave for your vacation, practice wearing the ID to make sure your child is comfortable with its placement.
6. Plan For Downtime
While you should plan plenty of activities that interest your child, make sure not to overload each day with too many attractions. Long days on-the-go are a recipe for a meltdown, so be sure to plan for downtime at the hotel and be prepared to change your plans if your child needs a break.
7. Start Out Slow – Day Tripping
Before you pack your bags for a week in Bermuda, take a few smaller trips and build-up to the big event. Think about an activity your child enjoys – a zoo, aquarium, amusement park, or special event that is only a few hours away. Plan to stay overnight so your child gets familiar with a hotel-type experience but also know that you’re close enough to home if need be. Once you have a few of these day trips under your belt, you’ll be better prepared for the bumps and hiccups that may come with a longer trip and so will your child.
8. Pre-Select Music for Long Car Trips
Especially with streaming services readily available, pre-select a series of movie soundtracks, sing-along songs, popular music, and even a book on tape the whole family can enjoy. A roundtrip playlist can be a lifesaver and comfort when driving on a loud highway or in an unfamiliar area with a lot of construction. This pre-selected entertainment list can also be a good tool to help your child prepare for the long journey- include them when making the list and remind them about the trip daily to keep them comfortable with the upcoming changes to their schedule. You could even consider a morning countdown where the child adds a new song choice every day in preparation for the beginning of the trip.
9. Travel in Footie Pajamas
You can pop a pair of sneakers over the top of the feet and in the case of a diaper blowout or spilled drink situation, you’re only dealing with one item of clothing. You can pack backup outfits in the form of a couple of extra pairs of pajamas instead of full outfits for each child. Kids may also enjoy the novelty of getting to leave the house in PJs and it could be a fun tradition for trips that you continue!
10. Let Your Child Capture the Memories
Consider buying your child a cheap digital camera or a notebook to draw and journal the trip. Make them the designated family photographer and memory recorder! It will also allow you to see the trip through their eyes. In the case of distractions being needed, it’s also a great way to pull their focus during an uncertain situation. The biggest tip of all is really to just take the plunge and go. It may not turn out perfectly, but with careful preparation, you can maximize your success.