Traveling With A Child With Autism
Published Monday, January 15th 2018 - Updated Monday, January 15th 2018From the day you decide to plan a getaway to the time you get home, every step is an alteration to your routine. Routines are the foundation of everyday life for a child living with autism. Being prepared for the alterations will make travel a little easier on everyone.
Here are a few suggestions to try:
Have A Plan: Talk with your travel professional to understand the steps. For instance, if you are traveling by air, you can expect lots of lines and waiting, and the environment can be loud and overwhelming. TSA at some airports offer a trial run or can expedite the process to alleviate long waits. Checking your bags curbside can eliminate another line and more waiting. You know your child’s needs best, but your travel professional knows if a there are programs available to make this transition a little easier. Also travel professionals can tell you exactly what to expect when boarding a cruise ship or navigating the airport at your destination.
Communication: Once you have your plan it’s a good idea to communicate your plan with the whole family. Everyone can know what to expect and this may help alleviate anxiety.
Make a Go Bag: Filling a bag with pre-established comfort items, some examples are:
-
Headphones
-
Tablet or games
-
Chewing gum
-
Healthy snacks
-
Fidget toys
-
Favorite stuffed animal
Schedule Time Outs: Vacation is all about recharging your batteries. Make sure you schedule down time for your child and yourself.
These are just a few tips that can alleviate everyone’s anxiety when traveling. For more detailed travel tips give Christine or Stacey a call at 877-255-0221.
Leave a Reply
indicates a required field