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HOW TO MAKE TRAVELLING SAFE AND EASY FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Traveling with Autistic Child: For kids of all ages, traveling can be an enlightening and eye-opening experience. There are much more new experiences and sights to see. You can take your kid anywhere and keep them happy as long as you create a comfortable environment for them and keep them on their routine. There will always be challenges when traveling with kids. It’s full of potential worries, from what to pack to how to get there.

Even children with Autism can experience new routines and make adjustments in those situations. However, with careful planning, travelling can be a chance to teach your child that a change from the daily routine can be an exciting adventure. Everyone will experience less stress if you allow plenty of time to travel and organize yourself once you arrive. Additionally, it can support your child’s emotional well-being.

Traveling with Autistic Child: Start With a Shorter Destination:

A man pushing a child in a wheelchair.- Traveling with Autistic Child  Two children running on the beach with their parents- Traveling with Autistic Child

  • If you have not started travelling with your child start with shorter trip.
  • Choose a destination no more than a few hours away from your actual destination.
  • By selecting shorter locations of the trips you will get know how comfortable is your child and in what kind of supports and comfort items your child needs while on the road so you are prepared for a longer trip.
  • These experiences helped us to better understand what we would need to do to make our kids more comfortable on longer journeys.
  • If your child is having special interest in choosing location where they can explore more this will probably go well and will be easier for Autism parents.

Traveling with Autistic Child: Consider Daily Family Routine:

Three children riding scooters in the woods, one child with autism enjoying nature exploration.- Traveling with Autism A family enjoying a picnic in the park, with a focus on accommodating an autistic child's needs - Traveling with Autistic Child

  • Even though scheduling must be flexible for travel, think about whether there are any aspects of your child’s daily routine that can remain the same.
  • It might be a certain breakfast, a sentimental toy, or a bedtime routine.
  • Maybe there are a few activities that your child is used to doing at home and that could even be done on road.
  • Giving your child a sense of control during the packing and decision-making process can be very useful.

Traveling with Autistic Child: Consider your child’s Interest:

 A woman and a child sitting on an easel painting. - Traveling with Autistic Child Young girl with bucket on beach, Traveling with Autistic Child

  • The best person to judge your child is you. So, it is important to understand what your child’s interest is.
  • While one can have interest in visiting art gallery, one can have enjoying at beach.
  • Include some activities you are confident that your child will enjoy.
  • Consider ways to lessen the stress like, noise cancelling headphones, comfort foods and scheduled breaks can help you feel less stressed.

Traveling with Autistic Child: Carry Medical Kit and Useful Tools :

Mother and daughter sitting on suitcase with luggage, preparing for travel with Autistic Child. - Traveling with Autistic Child A young girl happily playing with wooden toys in a basket. - Traveling with Autistic Child

  • Heading off to some new place and change in weather condition can be disturbing to numerous kids with Autism.
  • Carrying comfort items such as a stuffy, fidget toys, bag full of their favorite toys, an iPad loaded with favorite music and videos etc.
  • A medical kit containing basic medical tools/medicines should be carried to cure untimely illness.

For improving future planning, save time for reflecting on what worked or didn’t work on this trip. A small list will help remind you of what to repeat and what to improve for family adventures to come!

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