Does having a child who has Autism mean that parents have to stop taking family vacations? It most certainly does not. There are plenty of travel tips for children with Autism, and they work. While every single one may not work for every child, you're sure to find a few that work for you and your family. Your family can have wonderful vacations it just takes a little bit of extra planning.
It's never a good idea to just spring a trip on the child, instead, discuss the trip in advance. This will make the unknown much less scary and stressful. Instead of having to wonder about what is going on, he or she will know what to expect. Go into as much detail as you can, start this weeks ahead of time. Many vacation destinations offer brochures, and even CDs, that go into detail about the area. These are great ideas for the child who has Autism.
Consider issues that may crop up. Does sensory overload cause a meltdown? Is loud noise a problem, food allergies, textures? If noise is an issue, consider bringing along headphones to block some of the noise out, if you're going to a loud place, such as an amusement park. Water shoes can make a trip to the beach easier to handle, whether on the sand, or in the water, water shoes make things easier and more comfortable.
If you'll be spending time in the outdoors, at the beach, or camping for example, there will be many sounds that are unusual. Make these sounds less bothersome by purchasing a sound machine, or a nature CD, a month or so before the trip. Play the CD or the sound machine each evening, so that the child gets used to these noises. By the time you're ready to leave for vacation, these sounds will be common, instead of unusual.
Take every opportunity to talk about the vacation. This is a great way to prepare any child. The more detail, the better. Discuss as many aspects of the trip as you can. By the time vacation day arrives, it will almost seem familiar.
Bring along a favorite toy, or something else that is soothing to the child. You likely already know which items are the go-to items during times of stress, bring one or more along for the trip. It will provide comfort and a sense of familiarity.
Don't make the trip to jam-packed with things to do that there is no downtime. Everyone should have some time to just chill and relax. Vacations are fun, but they can also be overwhelming, especially for the child with Autism, make sure he, or she has the quiet time that they need to regroup.
Finally, have fun, and don't stress. You'll be making memories and creating special bonds. Even if the vacation doesn't go exactly as you planned, do your best to stay calm and enjoy it. Vacations never seem to go perfectly, but that's one of the things that makes them so memorable. Remember, that in the future the family will look back on this trip and only remember the good.
It's never a good idea to just spring a trip on the child, instead, discuss the trip in advance. This will make the unknown much less scary and stressful. Instead of having to wonder about what is going on, he or she will know what to expect. Go into as much detail as you can, start this weeks ahead of time. Many vacation destinations offer brochures, and even CDs, that go into detail about the area. These are great ideas for the child who has Autism.
Consider issues that may crop up. Does sensory overload cause a meltdown? Is loud noise a problem, food allergies, textures? If noise is an issue, consider bringing along headphones to block some of the noise out, if you're going to a loud place, such as an amusement park. Water shoes can make a trip to the beach easier to handle, whether on the sand, or in the water, water shoes make things easier and more comfortable.
If you'll be spending time in the outdoors, at the beach, or camping for example, there will be many sounds that are unusual. Make these sounds less bothersome by purchasing a sound machine, or a nature CD, a month or so before the trip. Play the CD or the sound machine each evening, so that the child gets used to these noises. By the time you're ready to leave for vacation, these sounds will be common, instead of unusual.
Take every opportunity to talk about the vacation. This is a great way to prepare any child. The more detail, the better. Discuss as many aspects of the trip as you can. By the time vacation day arrives, it will almost seem familiar.
Bring along a favorite toy, or something else that is soothing to the child. You likely already know which items are the go-to items during times of stress, bring one or more along for the trip. It will provide comfort and a sense of familiarity.
Don't make the trip to jam-packed with things to do that there is no downtime. Everyone should have some time to just chill and relax. Vacations are fun, but they can also be overwhelming, especially for the child with Autism, make sure he, or she has the quiet time that they need to regroup.
Finally, have fun, and don't stress. You'll be making memories and creating special bonds. Even if the vacation doesn't go exactly as you planned, do your best to stay calm and enjoy it. Vacations never seem to go perfectly, but that's one of the things that makes them so memorable. Remember, that in the future the family will look back on this trip and only remember the good.
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