Over the River
Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go! But that trip isn’t always merry. The long, seat-belted road trips can cause significant problems for our friends with autism who get agitated and grumpy with the change of routine. As the season for family visits approaches, we are repeating some tips many families found useful last year during holiday road trips.
or
continue reading
(1) Talk it up. Talk about your trip in advance. Talk about the travel itinerary and the people and places you are going to see. Show them photos of relatives, of grandmama’s house, and of sights along the way.
(2) Map it. Before heading out, gather the travelers around the table and map out your route on a map. Let your friend with autism be the “keeper of the map.” If he is able to do so, he can actually help navigate.
(3) Pack up. Help your friend with autism pack a small car kit. Use a brightly colored back pack or bag so it is easy to locate while traveling. Have your friend pack some favorite items that can help the miles melt away. He might want to pack favorite books or toys, an iPod or CD player with earphones, hand-held electronic games, binoculars, and some favorite snacks.
(4) Pack a sleep pack. If you are traveling at night or expect your youngster will sleep during the trip, pack your buddy’s favorite pillow with a folded sheet slipped inside the pillowslip to make a car nap more relaxing and cozy.
(5) Have fun. If your youngster with autism is able to do so, have him keep a scorecard of the number of cows or the number of 18-wheeler trucks or the number of motorcycles you pass. If you go on a longer trip, you can play the alphabet game by finding words that start with consecutive letters of the alphabet on roadside signs. You can sing rowdy verses of “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain” while traveling down the road.
TIP FOR THE DAY. The idea is to pack up some familiar items from home and to participate in fun activities while on the road. The friendly competition helps the miles melt quickly, making the long road trip smoother and more pleasant for everyone in the car.
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 a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. 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
Automatically generated related posts:
- Road Trip Over the river and through the woods...
- Road Trip Part 1 Some individuals with autism just naturally enjoy...
- Road Trip Bags We finally think we can manage a...
- Road Trip 3 Once the car is packed and contingency...
- Adventures on Wheels Once the Christmas festivities are over, it...