Travel Tips for a Child with Autism
Family trips can be unpredictable. Plans change, routines are interrupted, and the surroundings are unfamiliar. If you have a child with autism, these experiences can be both exciting and anxiety-producing.
April is national Autism Awareness Month , and with school vacation week just around the corner, if you’re planning a family trip, you’ll want to reduce anxiety and make transitions easier when out and about with your child with autism.
Teachers, staff and parents of students at the Walpole-based League School of Greater Boston (www.leagueschool.com), one of the first schools in the nation to specialize in teaching children with autism, offer these tips for making family trips smoother for everyone:
- Involve all of your children in planning for a day, weekend or weeklong trip. Try to plan as much of the trip as possible beforehand, and familiarize your child with autism with the planned activities by showing him photos of the destination on the Internet or in brochures.
- Avoid venues that have sudden noises or flashing lights.
- Create a daily itinerary that includes quiet time. And meet with your family each morning during the trip to discuss the day’s activities.
- Pack your child’s favorite toys and familiar snacks. These will come in handy on long car, train or plane rides, or while waiting in long lines at a destination.
- If you’re visiting a museum or other public venue, arrive at a quiet time. Call ahead to ask about this.
- Prepare a “plan of escape.” Figure out beforehand how your family can easily leave the venue if it proves too much for your child with autism.
- Establish a reward system for your child (and her siblings) for good behavior or for managing a new situation well.
- If you’re staying at a hotel, ask in advance for a room on the quieter side. Arrive at a time when fewer people are expected to check in.
- Stick to routines – bedtime, familiar foods, mealtimes, etc. – as much as possible.
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