Guest Post: 7 Tips for Taking Your ASD Child on Vacation

7 Tips for Vacationing with Your Autistic Child

Taking a child on the autism spectrum on vacation may seem like more trouble than it’s worth, but with a little advance planning, the trip can actually not only be an enjoyable experience for the whole family, but a learning opportunity for the child reinforcing the fact that leaving the safe confines of the life he knows can be fun. Here are seven tips to ensure that your trip is successful.

• Discuss your destination. Talk about where you are going. Look at pictures either online or from others who have been there before. Study maps of the area. If you have access to photos of your lodgings, look at those as well. Preparing your child ahead of time for what to expect in the way of location and where you will be staying can alleviate the fear of the unknown and make it seem more familiar when you arrive.
• Bring familiar items. If your child has a favorite blanket, pillow, or lovey, be sure to bring it along. Having an item of comfort and familiarity nearby can help keep your child calm.
  Have a special surprise. Bring something along that is brand new and aligned with your child’s special interests. Don’t tell him you have it, then while traveling by plane or car, or any time you need to redirect his attention, bring out the fun treat to keep him occupied and distracted from potential stress-inducing situations.
• Bring ear plugs. Especially if your child is easily over stimulated by noise, be sure to keep a pair of ear plugs or a set of ear phones connected to an MP3 player with some favorite music. Blocking out the noise can help prevent any meltdowns that might occur due to the noise and bustle of a new environment.
• Plan down time. While the rest of the family may enjoy being on the go all day, remember that your child will benefit from some down time. If possible, schedule it in every day for the same time and at the same place. The sense of routine will give your child something to expect and understand.
  
• Take food. Traveling means not having familiar foods and often, disrupted eating schedules. It may be difficult to find the food your child wants at exactly when he wants it. Head off any problems by having a stash of favorite, portable foods with you all the time.
• Prepare for the unexpected. Travel is an adventure, and part of that adventure means not always knowing what will come next. These surprises can leave a child on the spectrum feeling anxious and can lead to meltdowns.  Be prepared for the unexpected in every situation and plan how you will deal with it. Staying calm and communicating what is happening or what you know about the situation will go a long way to comforting you child.

This post was contributed by Meredith Walker, who writes about the masters in public health. She welcomes your feedback at MeredithWalker1983 at gmail.com

-And be sure to also visit her excellent post on 100 Resources for Parents, teachers, and caregivers for ASD kids. With 100 sites to choose from there will have to be at least one you haven’t seen before.