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.
Book a hotel room with a refrigerator and a microwave if there are food concerns, such as allergies, or a picky eater. This allows you to prepare quick meals that will be eaten, and it can be a money saver too. If the plan is to go camping, or to the beach, play a sounds of nature CD each evening so that these sounds become familiar. Consider the sounds that will be around you and set the CD to focus on those sounds. Sound machines work great for this too.
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 things from home that are soothing. Everyone has their own soothing items, and you likely know which things help your child. Bring along one or two, and let your child hold on to it during any times of stress. Having this little piece of home can be very comforting.
Make time for quiet time. All these new sights, sounds, and experiences can be overwhelming. It's nice to have some downtime to relax and regroup. Schedule regular periods of quiet time in order to calm your child and give him or her the time they need.
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.
Book a hotel room with a refrigerator and a microwave if there are food concerns, such as allergies, or a picky eater. This allows you to prepare quick meals that will be eaten, and it can be a money saver too. If the plan is to go camping, or to the beach, play a sounds of nature CD each evening so that these sounds become familiar. Consider the sounds that will be around you and set the CD to focus on those sounds. Sound machines work great for this too.
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 things from home that are soothing. Everyone has their own soothing items, and you likely know which things help your child. Bring along one or two, and let your child hold on to it during any times of stress. Having this little piece of home can be very comforting.
Make time for quiet time. All these new sights, sounds, and experiences can be overwhelming. It's nice to have some downtime to relax and regroup. Schedule regular periods of quiet time in order to calm your child and give him or her the time they need.
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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