FAQautism

Once the car is packed and contingency plans are completed, everyone is ready to hit the road for several days. You can help smooth bumps in the road and make the trip fun for all if you help your youngster with autism pack a personal travel kit and an explorer’s bag.

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PERSONAL TRAVEL KIT. Items such as a small toy, familiar book, favorite DVD, iPod programmed with favorite music and an audio book, a doll or stuffed animal, or other objects from home can fit into a small, zippered bag or small backpack to keep with him in the car and at all your destinations. Encourage your youngster with autism to fill the bag with his favorites. If he is particularly averse to change or quite upset and agitated about leaving home for this road trip, consider including a small photo album with pictures of his room, pets, house, and the destination of your vacation.

EXPLORER’S BAG. Road trip adventures can be even more fun if you have an “explorer’s bag” in the car. Encourage your youngster with autism (and other family members) to prepare a small bag that includes a map, a camera, binoculars, and a small spiral notebook for a journal along with some colored pencils and something to write with. Include 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 youngster with autism can have a visual history of the adventure.

TIP FOR THE DAY: Now it is time to jump in the car and buckle up for safety. Don’t worry about the little bumps that come along. Just sit back, relax, an.d enjoy watching the world fly past the windows of your car on this family road trip.

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

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