Destination Unknown!

 Summertime has finally arrived! With it comes a flurry of fun and memorable activities such as swimming pools and barbeques. This year, we have the opportunity to take a short vacation. So, we are taking a short road trip to relax for a few days. Solon has never been very far from home, and this will be the first time he's ever left the state. In preparation for our trip, I started researching tips on how to help an autistic child travel. Whether we are flying or driving, it's a good idea to be ready for anything and capable of handling any situation that may arise. Here are a few tips I have found. 

Mark the Day on your Calendar

Many children are visual learners and can more easily relate with something they can see. Calendars are a good way to show your child when you are leaving and start counting down to that day. This gives a visual picture of when you are due to head off on your adventure. It's also a great way to start a new countdown for when you go back home. 

I have mentioned in the past that Solon does well with countdowns. One of his favorite ways to do that is by marking his big event on his calendar. Solon has his own calendar, and we hang it in whatever area he designates for it. He has the day marked when he will be leaving and is eagerly awaiting his brand new adventure. 

Bring Something Comforting

Sometimes it helps, especially for the more anxious kids, to bring something comforting from home. This could be a stuffed animal or a pillow and blanket. Home is a place where we can feel safe. If he can't be at home, sometimes it might help if they bring a little bit of home with them. 

Anytime Solon leaves home, he always brings something with him. He likes to bring his new cars to his appointments and tell different stories about them. When he was younger, we even had a giant stuffed duck that he took with him to occupational therapy. Designating a travel buddy might be helpful so they feel like they might be traveling with a friend. Favorite cars and stuffed animals would be make great traveling companions for Solon. 

Exercise

Before you load your child in the car or on a plane, let them exercise and work off any nervous or excess energy. Running or jumping are good activities for this. Play games or jump on a trampoline. Make it a really good time so your child can feel relaxed and ready to settle down for a long trip.

Solon is constantly on the move and has mastered the art of turning any area into a race track for his cars. I have also promised him I would buy him some activities he can do during the trip. Brand new stuff is always a great motivator for Solon. 

Since this is Solon's first real traveling experience, I really want to make it a special one. I found these tips and others here: https://www.jcfs.org/blog/come-fly-me-travel-tips-children-autism-spectrum-disorder. If you have any tips of your own you'd like to offer, I'd love to read them in the comments. 

If you found any of this helpful, please share it wherever you can. Please don't forget to subscribe and follow my blog. I always appreciate the support! Have a wonderful summer! 

As always, stay positive - Jen