Vacations
Vacations take an incredible amount of planning a preparation for any family. Several parents have commented that they finally feel confident enough to take their youngsters with autism on a road trip, and are looking for tips to help make the vacation experience as smooth and comfortable as possible for everyone concerned.
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SOME STRATEGIES. Of course, the specific plan of action depends on the individual needs of your youngster, but there are some general concepts that you can incorporate to help make the vacation enjoyable for everyone.
(1) Personal Travel Bag. Let your youngster pack his own small, zippered bag with items such as a small toy, familiar book, familiar video/DVD, or other personal favorites from home. Also include a small photo album with pictures of his room, pets, house, and the destination of your vacation.
(2) Sleep-Tight Bag. To help encourage peaceful sleep in unfamiliar places, let your child pack his pillow, sheet/blanket, and pajamas in a colorful stuff bag that is easy to identify and locate when you stop for the night.
(3) YIKES! Kit. Keep an emergency kit handy that not only has first aid items and medications, but also some water bottles, snacks, a change of clothes, water-free hand cleaner, wet-wipes, and zip lock bags. Quart sized zip lock bags are good for a traveler who feel nauseous.
(4) Safety Strategy. Get an ID bracelet or “dog-tag” type necklace or another identity tag for your youngster. Include your cell phone number on that tag since even verbal folks can get flustered in an emergency and forget important facts. Also, develop a comprehensive family emergency plan should you get separated or encounter other unanticipated situations.
(5) Explorer’s Bag. Encourage your youngster (and other family members) to prepare a small bag that includes a map, a disposable camera, binoculars, and a folder that can be filled with a “Destination Collection” of postcards and other souvenirs. Don’t forget to take a picture of your family at every stop along the way – even roadside parks or hotels so your friend with autism can have a visual history of the adventure.
After you have packed the bags and made plans for every possible situation, just sit back, relax, and enjoy exploring the world around you!
NOTE TO LISTENERS AND READERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. You can click on a button to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solutions. Check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. www.FAQautism.com
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