Are you planning an enjoyable and memorable summer experience with your family? When traveling with children with autism, you’ll find that organizing a trip may involve a few additional planning steps and considerations. Despite the unique accommodations and planning steps required, it’s still possible to plan a pleasurable experience for everyone in the family. Here are tips for making that happen!
Plan the Trip As a Family & Create a Detailed Timeline
Involving your children in the travel planning is one of the best ways to promote familiarity and excitement for the trip. Some ways to involve your child with autism include:
- Asking for their input.
- Reviewing the travel agenda with them leading up to the trip.
- Suggesting activities they’ll love in the planning process and incorporating them.
By organizing the trip well in advance, your child will also have plenty of time to prepare and become familiar with the idea of traveling. Some ways to prepare and develop excitement with your child are:
- Adding the trip timeline to your child’s calendar.
- Posting exciting travel messages.
- Regularly talking about various trip activities.
Part of preparing your child includes discussing the reasons the family will be traveling. This includes explaining to your child why this trip will be good for all the family members. It may help to answer any questions or concerns that your child may have.
The benefits of this preparation include:
- Helping to dissolve uncertainty.
- Subsiding confusion with routine changes.
- Eliminating fear or other strong emotions with being away from home.
- Reducing travel stressors.
Choose a Destination & Activities That Accommodate Your Child
Instead of a busy tourist destination, perhaps you can consider a peaceful nature area or quieter destination that still features plenty of fun things to do? Rather than booking high-energy activities that may overstimulate, consider relaxing experiences like museum tours, hiking, and other less overwhelming activities. By selecting a destination and activities that are sensory-friendly and enjoyable for all, you can proactively prevent potential travel issues caused by daunting new experiences.
Maintain Certain Elements of Your Daily Routine While Traveling
Just because you are traveling doesn’t mean the entire routine has to change. While organizing your daily itinerary, consider how you can replicate the familiar structure of the home environment or their uplifting autism services in Wyomissing, PA.
- Bring along their picture schedule board
- Pack their favorite learning toys
- Eat meals at your usual time
- Incorporate other familiar activities or experiences into vacation plans.
You may be surprised at the calming reassurance that can come with something as simple as a familiar stuffed animal, game, or snack that reminds your child of home.
Take Breaks & Support Your Child’s Needs
Providing calm and well-paced activities is key. Be sure to take frequent breaks when doing new things. Supply your child with necessary tools like noise-canceling headphones or sunglasses to help them ease into the experience.
Be ready to adapt and change your plans at the last moment. The last thing you want to do is force an experience or activity that is overly distressing. It’s always a good idea to have a back-up strategy in mind. If your child is overwhelmed, eat at the hotel. If your child is tired of activities, stay in and watch a movie!
Learn More About Traveling With Your Child At Helping Hands Family!
Our autism providers in Lehigh Valley, PA specialize in providing nurturing and familiar learning experiences! Our autism expertise applies to all travel situations; before you book your travel plans, feel free to contact our caring team for other soothing and empowering travel tips!
