It's summertime and many people will be going on vacations. Some people will go on planes, and some will go by car. Luckily, I have tips for traveling either way.
DRIVING
Driving for many children is difficult, in some ways I think my ASD children handle road trips much better than NT's (neuro-typical, what we call normal) children. Mostly because they are visual and can enjoy the scenery and have a lot of patience for video games and reading. They also seem to like the security of the seat belt.
1. Make sure you have comfortable car seats. I drive my children around a lot and when the seat gets flat and worn out, I get a new one.
2. Try and plan out a stop, every 2 hours. I have a great app to help you find travel centers. It's called "AllStays Truck & Travel." I have an iPhone so I don't know if they have an Android equivalent, but it's the best $5 I've spent on an app EVER. It not only gives you the gas stations and travel centers, but also nearby shopping, in case you need to pick up something, like wal-marts and malls. It also can give you up to the minute gas prices as well as maps and exit numbers. I just LOVE IT!
3. Try and give the children something new to play with after each stop. Whether it's a new game for the 3DS, new iPod app, or a toy they've forgotten about.... it helps give them a renewed interest in something to take their minds off the travel.
4. For my older Aspie, I like to share maps with her so she can see where we're going. It also teaches her how to read a map; a very useful skill.
5. I recommend leaving early in the morning, as early as you possibly can. My children and I drove south about 13 hours and it made the trip much more bearable leaving at 5:00 a.m. Children's patience for things is best in the morning hours. Once you get up around dinner and bedtime, they are a lot worse to manage in a vehicle.
6. I would take small snacks to space out along the drive, capri suns, fruit snacks, granola, etc.... AND I would pack small bags for garbage, a box of tissues, a roll of paper towels and hand wipes. You can never be too prepared!
FLYING
(I wrote this post on the website
www.myautismteam.com under traveling tips.)
Flying with a non-verbal, lower functioning ASD child:
Go to the counter and ask for a special needs pass. It will let you
board the plane first, alleviating the stress of so many strange faces
in a crowded plane. I have had no behaviors with my son since I've done
it. Some airline clerks are nice about it, others not so much. Ignore
them. You're giving everyone a better plane ride because your child
will not be stressed and screaming.
Flying with ASD children in general:
Electronic devices are great for planes but 2 things you need to think about....
1. Will my child freak out when they ask you to put this electronic
device away? If they will, wait until you are in the air before giving
it to your child. When you have to put it away, try and have a favorite
snack, book, or other non-electronic something available to switch them
out with.
2. Will my ASD child insist on playing a noisy game over and over at
high volume? Try and make sure your phone, iPod, iPad, or other
electronic device has some kind of volume control, or remove the games
that are loud or otherwise obnoxious. If your child can do
headphones....GREAT! If not, this will need to be something you will
want to think about.
3. I make sure I have hand wipes available, clorox wipes (an ounce
of prevention is worth a pound of cure....flying back with sick ASD kids
is not something you want to do! That, and my 3 yr old stimms by biting
his hand), and a small plastic bag for garbage.
Hope these thoughts helped. Happy traveling!
