Parents who have children with mental disabilities face unique challenges every day. For most of these kids structure and routine are very important. Sometimes families think taking a vacation, or even getting away together for a long weekend, is an impossibility. The experts have travel tips for children with autism that can make taking a trip to somewhere new a fun, exciting, and comfortable experience for everybody.
They say you have to plan the destination carefully. You should also include your youngster in the planning stage. You know your child better than anyone else. You know what he enjoys and what will cause a meltdown. It's a very good idea to keep your plans flexible.
Don't try to do too much. It might be tempting to try and fill every vacation day to the brim with activities, but this plan will backfire when you have an autistic child. Instead of over stimulating him with too much to do, try planning one or two activities each day. That will give your child the time he need to get used to unfamiliar sights and sounds, and used to the idea of interacting with strangers.
A safety plan has to be on the top of your list. According to the professionals, wandering is one of the biggest dangers parents of autistic children face. It is especially dangerous for non-verbal kids.
Your child needs a medical bracelet on him at all times. It has to include all of his pertinent contact information. For children who are sensory sensitive, an ID tag attached to a zipper or belt will work. Any allergies the child has must be included on the identification tag or bracelet.
This is not the time to try and separate your autistic child from a favorite stuffed toy, blanket, or any other comfort object he favors. You will be sorry if you decide to leave it behind. It's also important to take with you the things your youngster associates with his normal routine. This includes favorite toys, snacks, and clothing. The bag you pack needs to include anything you think might avoid a meltdown.
You should start discussing the trip with your autistic child weeks before you go. You can use pictures to familiarize the child about what he will see on the trip. You might show your youngster pictures of the hotel where you will be staying, even the room if possible. Pictures of a plane or train, if you will be traveling in one of those, and a detailed explanation, will help make your youngster feel more secure.
Plan to take lots of breaks during your vacation. You may not be able to spend the entire day at a theme park for example. Your child may only be able to take a few hours there. You should plan for this in advance. It might be a better idea to spend several days on the park premises, devoting only a few hours of walking through it and riding rides each day. You can break up this with an hour or two at the pool. It is important to keep to the normal bedtime routine no matter where you travel.
They say you have to plan the destination carefully. You should also include your youngster in the planning stage. You know your child better than anyone else. You know what he enjoys and what will cause a meltdown. It's a very good idea to keep your plans flexible.
Don't try to do too much. It might be tempting to try and fill every vacation day to the brim with activities, but this plan will backfire when you have an autistic child. Instead of over stimulating him with too much to do, try planning one or two activities each day. That will give your child the time he need to get used to unfamiliar sights and sounds, and used to the idea of interacting with strangers.
A safety plan has to be on the top of your list. According to the professionals, wandering is one of the biggest dangers parents of autistic children face. It is especially dangerous for non-verbal kids.
Your child needs a medical bracelet on him at all times. It has to include all of his pertinent contact information. For children who are sensory sensitive, an ID tag attached to a zipper or belt will work. Any allergies the child has must be included on the identification tag or bracelet.
This is not the time to try and separate your autistic child from a favorite stuffed toy, blanket, or any other comfort object he favors. You will be sorry if you decide to leave it behind. It's also important to take with you the things your youngster associates with his normal routine. This includes favorite toys, snacks, and clothing. The bag you pack needs to include anything you think might avoid a meltdown.
You should start discussing the trip with your autistic child weeks before you go. You can use pictures to familiarize the child about what he will see on the trip. You might show your youngster pictures of the hotel where you will be staying, even the room if possible. Pictures of a plane or train, if you will be traveling in one of those, and a detailed explanation, will help make your youngster feel more secure.
Plan to take lots of breaks during your vacation. You may not be able to spend the entire day at a theme park for example. Your child may only be able to take a few hours there. You should plan for this in advance. It might be a better idea to spend several days on the park premises, devoting only a few hours of walking through it and riding rides each day. You can break up this with an hour or two at the pool. It is important to keep to the normal bedtime routine no matter where you travel.
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Parents can get top travel tips for children with autism when they visit the recommended site. Here is the link to click on http://www.autismtraveltips.com.