Road Trip Bags
We finally think we can manage a road trip with our daughter with autism. We need some ideas to help make the ride in the car smooth sailing. What steps can we take to make the trip more worry-free and fun for the whole family?
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Some families use the “road trip bag strategy” to keep items organized and accessible during a long road trip. Here are a tried-and-true tip: pack four little road trip bags.
(1) Personal Travel Bag. Let your youngster pack his own small, zippered bag with items such as a small toy, familiar book, 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. Because our friends with autism often enjoy watching the same movie or listening to the same music over and over, invest in an iPod or personal DVD player with earphones so the repetitions don’t irritate the whole family.
(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) 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!
We welcome your input. Share challenges and ideas based on your experiences or intuition. Just click on the comments button or send an e-mail to talk@FAQautism.com.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: 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. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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