TRAVEL TIPS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Hello, hey guys. Today, I’m going to talk about traveling. Everyone has to travel. You can’t get away from it, whether you’re going to see relatives, whether you want to go on holiday, whether you are going anywhere everyone, has to do a little bit of travel but traveling is extremely stressful for everybody, let alone someone on the, autism spectrum, so I’m going to share, some of my tips how we prepare for, traveling because we’re going, to Ireland we’re going over for Easter, to go and visit some family and some, friends all right come here what you, want to bring do you want to bring this, bag with you all right what clothes, we’re bringing these seven days of socks, and underwear to go one-two three-oh, yeah we’ll need that thank you are you, just taking everything out yes you are, so if you’re flying anywhere phone up, the airport ahead of time we fly from, got Michael all the time and what I do, is I phone at the airport about well at, least 48 hours beforehand I let them know that we’re coming with a child, who’s on the spectrum they put us on a list and we go to the special assistance area when we gets the special assistance, area they will give you one of these and, this goes around your child’s neck or, for Dylan doesn’t like wearing it I wear, it and that alerts all the staff in the, airport that someone in your party has, autism we go through the parent and, child section now when it’s really busy, such as holidays and all that kind of, thing it can be really overwhelming and, we have had many episodes where you know, I had everything planned out but we got, to you know where they take your, photograph to go in through security, dilden freaked out because he hates, having a photo taken so by having this, around your neck they’re gonna know that, maybe someone isn’t gonna like having, that photo taken and they’re really good, about taking you to a quieter Channel if, you are traveling, in school holiday times once you go, through security they actually do have a, special assistance pathway so you don’t, have to go through all the smelly, perfumes even I don’t like the the, makeup hole in there because it’s so, light bright too many perfumes too many, people so they do have another area you, can go through and you avoid that, altogether you can actually request in a little golf buggies that they drive, through they are brilliant a they are so, much fun Luka has a blast diet you feel, like a bit like a VIP traveling and this, golf buggy which takes you straight to, your gate so there’s no walking there’s, no extra stimulus all that kind of thing, do these jammies hey bring the socks, back hey hey gimme that clothes sorted, no suitcase next time find the suitcases, it’s gonna be fun, so when we are in the airport these are, very important, these are ear defenders Dylan used to, wear these he now prefers to wear his headphones that play his favorite music, because it kind of takes him out of what, he’s doing he doesn’t have to think of, anything else so when I’m packing us, back I always bring those another thing,

I always have his chew toy in Dylan’s bag, so airports, as I said, are overstimulating on all accounts. Everybody but Dylan likes to lick. He’s, quite or Swede tends to lick things. He tends to get quite hyper, so he has this which helps him self-regulate, and he puts it around his neck, and he chews it, or he licks it and plays with it when he’s getting a bit antsy, so I always put that in his, bag as well.

I have known children who have gone on holiday and they’ve not eaten a thing because some children can, be really picky on what they eat but not, just on what they eat also on the brands, that they have so whenever we travel, anywhere I always travel with Dylan’s snack so I put them in his bag but I, also packing a suitcase I’ll put his brand of pasta that he eats in anything dried all his snack crackers everything, because even though you could go be, going to a European country and you know, they’re gonna have some kind of bread or you know some kind of food that the, lead it’s for some children they can, tell they know what brand it is okay, ready yeah, all right so that’s the boys nyah, I think I’ve lost Christie in the effort, where’s EC gone some still got noise, name tag on it too, Oh does it uh-huh I’m not coming down, now gate coming down you are allowed, down out of the Attic okay getting a, blanky that you wash in your own laundry and that they have that at nighttime, because even the smell of the sheets many different can upset their sleep and, who wants to get no sleep on a holiday, not me so I always bring his blanket that smells like home with him also when, traveling I always put to them in the, confidence clothes that I can and I do, tend to pack the same outfit for every, day well zoom out for every day anyway, but by packing his clothes that he’s, familiar with them also just getting rid, of some of the uncertainty so much air, in it t-shirts for Dylan to jumpers he’s, never going to wear traveling clothes, and they’re set for Dede okay all right, boys hat listen I always write down a, travel schedule so I have the whole week, planned out and I’ll have one activity a, day I don’t tend to do any more than, that because he gets to ever sensitize, do try and sort out your week beforehand, so if you’re going on any activities, phone up beforehand if you’re going to, the theater phone up beforehand let them, know that you’re coming with a trouble, autism if you’re going out to dinner, phone up and book a table and ask for, the quietest table you know people are, really inclusive and accepting and, because autism people know more about it, now people know how to help, so by phoning up ahead makes your life a, lot easier and will make your child’s, life a lot easier, what are you gonna what are you going to, travel in, oh you want know where this is that this, is very cute yeah oh okay oh so that now, you’re really confusing me here Wow okay, well it’s good to know what’s in here, [Music], how is Dylan going through the airport, Syd you think doing gets it going, through the airport yeah what does he do, does he get a bit upset yeah why does he, get upset because he feels sick yeah he, feels sick he doesn’t like all the, people does he know and I don’t really, like going to take the agent ages it, takes for ages and ages yeah like on the, ferry yeah we are going on the ferry, I like going on afraid to see the sea we, are taking the ferry to Ireland this, time it is a long old drive but at, Easter time last year we were going away, on holiday and it was just too much even, you know even with everything I had for, him you know getting up and going the, flight was delayed it is too, unpredictable for Dylan so we decided, this time to take the ferry because more, often than not the ferry is more, predictable we just hop in the car when, were in the car I have his blanket that, smells like him there’s pillow get him, set up on his iPad I have his bag packed, with all his things he’s into coding for, beginners watch out Steve Jobs but yeah, so I just pack all his stuff in his bag, and he knows where everything is we have, also decided to get an Airbnb this time, as opposed to staying in a hotel or with, family hotels are a little bit of a, nightmare for Dylan because there’s, different people coming and going you, know I remember one year we went to stay, in a hotel and Dylan wouldn’t get in the, lift until there was nobody in there can, you imagine so I do mind getting out of, the lift so my son can go up by himself, it just doesn’t happen in a busy resort, so by staying in an AirB&B I can show, Dylan the photographs beforehand, so he can familiarize himself with where, we’re going when we get to our, destination I I unpack the bags straight, away my family actually laughs at me, because even if it’s three o’clock in, the morning I will unpack the bags but, this actually helps so there’s actually, a reason why I do this, okay the resident I just have slight OCD, about it but for Dylan this this works, in his in his favor so when we get to, our destination I unpack the boys, suitcase because they share a suitcase, because they don’t have many clothes at, all, Naya has three suitcases just for her, but but the boys have one I unpack their, clothes and I put them in piles so they, know what they’re wearing everyday again, routine you know you go to try make a, little bit of a routine well you want, three suitcases okay look on a three, suitcases ready look up look smiley, [Music], thank you guys for watching our video we, hope you found our travel tips helpful, and we will let you know how we get on, in Ireland next week so thank you so, much Luca what do you wanna say nice now, like button and my friend leave a, comment below, yeah I’m Val thanks guys see you next, Sunday you got chocolate all around your, mouth give me some chocolate by any, chance I ate all of it,

Frequently Asked Questions:

Travel Tips for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Q: What can I do to prepare my child with autism for travel?

A: Try to maintain consistency and routine as much as possible. Show them pictures of where you are going, explain the travel schedule in advance, and pack familiar items like snacks, toys and blankets. Social stories can also help prepare them for new experiences.

Q: What should I bring with us on the trip?

A: Pack noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, chewy necklaces, comfort items, routines/schedules and preferred foods/snacks. Also, bring any medications and therapy tools that your child regularly uses.

Q: How can I make going through airport security easier?

A: Request special assistance when you book your tickets. Alert TSA agents that your child has autism and may have difficulty with procedures. Ask for a private screening if needed. Bring items that calm your child like a tablet or headphones.

Q: What accommodations can make flights more comfortable?

A: Request bulkhead or aisle seats with extra legroom. Bring visual supports like picture schedules. Ask the flight crew not to make unexpected announcements and to dim cabin lights when possible. Have engaging activities ready for your child.

Q: How do I ease transitions to new environments like hotels?

A: Maintain bedtime routines as much as possible. Request quiet rooms away from elevators/ice machines. Ask housekeeping for limited cleaning if disrupted routines are challenging. Let the front desk know your child has autism in case of noise concerns.

Q: What tips can ease challenges with new activities and environments?

A: Give lots of warnings about schedule changes and transitions between activities. Start with shorter outings and build up duration over the trip. Have engaging toys/devices and snacks readily available. Consider using a visual schedule or countdown timer.

Q: How do I handle meltdowns graciously while traveling?

A: Carry sensory tools, comfort items, headphones, and replacements for favored stims/fidgets. Politely explain and apologize if behavior draws attention, then move your child to a quiet area to regroup. Try to stay calm – your reaction can influence your child’s behavior.

Reference

1. Autism Speaks. (2023). Travel Tips for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum. Retrieved from https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-library/travel-tips-families-children-autism-spectrum
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Tips for Traveling with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/travel.html
3. Easter Seals. (2023). Autism Travel Tips. Retrieved from https://www.easterseals.com/our-services/individuals-and-families/children-with-autism/autism-travel-tips/
4. National Autism Association. (2023). Travel Tips for Families with Children with Autism. Retrieved from https://nationalautismassociation.org/travel-tips-for-families-with-children-with-autism/
5. Understood. (2023). Travel Tips for Kids With Autism. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/ieps-504-plans/travel-tips-for-kids-with-autism
6. Autism on the Seas. (2023). Autism on the Seas: A Guide to Cruising with Autism. Retrieved from https://www.autismontheseas.com/
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8. Special Needs at Sea. (2023). Special Needs at Sea: A Guide to Cruising with Disabilities. Retrieved from https://www.specialneedsatsea.com/
9. Autism Society. (2023). Autism Society: Travel Tips for Families with Children with Autism. Retrieved from https://www.autism-society.org/travel-tips-for-families-with-children-with-autism/
10. Flying with Autism. (2023). Flying with Autism: A Guide to Air Travel with Autism. Retrieved from https://www.flyingwithautism.com/