 Travel Tips: Traveling with A Child that has Autism Spectrum Disorder
Traveling with kids is not always easy, but taking a child on vacation that has Autism Spectrum Disorder takes a bit more preparation. In general, kids with autism like structure and routines. Vacations are a break from routine and can be bothersome for children on the spectrum. You can make your trip more enjoyable by following the tips that follow.
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 Flying with an Autistic Child Is All About Good Preparation
National Autism Awareness Month ended on April 30, just weeks before the summer travel season commences. Sometimes families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder avoid summer vacation plans which include a flight to their destination--after all, children without this condition often find flying stressful, and autistic children have the added challenge of needing routine and predictability. According to Minitime.com, such concerns are understandable, but there are things you can do to prepare your autistic child for a happy and enjoyable first flight.  Seven Tips to Make Air Travel Easier for Those with Autism Spectrum Disorder
For those that live with autism spectrum disorder, whether living with it yourself, or living with a family member that is autistic, the thought of traveling may be very off putting. Autism can make travel hard due to the bright lights, loud noises, vibrations, and changes in routine. However this change in routine can also be very beneficial to those with autism. Whilst traveling by car may seem less daunting, air travel is sometimes the only option. These seven tips can help make your air travel just that little bit easier. Traveling with Your Special Needs Child—for Children with ADHD, It’s All about Good Planning2/15/2015  Traveling with Your Special Needs Child--for Children with ADHD, It’s All about Good Planning
Family vacations are all about seeing new places, experiencing new cultures and learning new things--about the world, and about each other. For parents with an ADHD child, ensuring that vacation is fun--and relaxing--for every member of the family is also about smart planning.  Therapeutic Vacation Ideas for Your Special Needs Family
Pack your bags! There is no time for worrying about traveling with special needs since the trip can be therapeutic. Just think of your vacation as a fun therapy session. Whether your family member has been diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, or Cerebral Palsy, there are vacation ideas that will help your loved one thrive on the trip, and when they get back. Don’t miss out on a great trip because of a special needs family member. Instead, embrace the disability and focus your trip around it. Here are some ideas to help you get started on your next vacation.  Holiday Travel: Creating Family Memories Through Travel
The holiday season is rapidly approaching. Many families are making their travel plans so they can be with extended family members at some point during the holidays. If you have not traveled before and have family that lives far away consider taking a family vacation this holiday season. The holidays are a nice time to travel because kids have vacation from school and parents often have time off of work. Here are some tips to creating family memories through travel this holiday season.  Avoid the Worst Travel Experiences by Curbing Your Overprotective Tendencies We tend to think that the worst travel experiences occur because of things beyond our control. Maybe your flight gets delayed. Or no arrangements have been made for that wheelchair that the flight staff were supposed to bring for your special needs child. Maybe you’re going on a tour with a number of other people and the noise levels are just deafening for your autistic child. These things can happen when you’re traveling. However, sometimes, the worst travel experiences occur when parents are overprotective. What do you do in these situations? Separating. Sometimes, getting along on a family vacation can be as simple as giving people the privacy that they need. When you travel with a special needs child, you might assume that you need to keep them in your sights at all times. However, this can only be frustrating for your child who might prefer to have a separate room and bathroom. If your living situation at home works for you, then try to recreate it when you’re on vacation.
Giving Space. Sometimes, children with special needs might get irritated if their parents are hovering over them at all times. You probably only mean to be protective but protection is not what your child needs at present. If you’re going with a group, then give your child the chance to interact with other people. You can keep an eye on him/her from afar but try not to be intrusive. Being Adventurous. The whole idea behind going on vacation is having an adventure. So if you’re constantly concerned about whether your child will be adversely affected by the places you go to see, then this defeats the purpose and can be frustrating for your child. Of course, you need to be practical. If your child is in a wheelchair, you need to make sure you go to wheelchair accessible places. But if your child has ADHD, you don’t need to be constantly concerned about whether s/he is going to get overstimulated. As long as your child is taking medication and seems to be having a good time, it’s ok to be a little adventurous. Avoiding Micromanagement. Some parents are always checking up on their kids, something which has become much easier with the advent of cell phones. You don’t even have to call your child; you can just text. However, texting your child every half an hour will prevent them from getting engrossed in what they’re doing. So try not to do it unless it’s really necessary. Contact us for more great tips to help your special needs child have a good time on vacation.  Special needs travel for any reason takes organization. Vacations, which usually last several days, can be daunting. Children with special needs may not experience a destination or an activity the way other family members do, but that does not mean they do not enjoy it. One child, who is delayed, does not speak and is not mobile, smiles broadly when he is taken fishing. Why? He loves the feeling of dragging his hand through the cool water. His parents plan at least one water-based activity for the family when they travel. Planning is the key, and it starts with the trip itself. If you are traveling by plane, you should inform the airline of any needs you have, including spatial requirements. Travel by auto should be along routes with frequent rest stops. Destination is important too. Kids who have autism probably need more active and structured vacations. Destinations with kids' programs are good; those that accommodate special needs with directed activities are great. Parents of special needs children can't be reluctant to call ahead and make their needs, including dietary restrictions, understood. Because of the Americans with Disabilities Act, most public places have ramps and wheelchair accessible restrooms, elevators and guestrooms. Talking to other parents of special needs children may help you find a destination that goes beyond that minimal accommodation and really provides a great experience for "special families." Traveling with a special-needs child for the first time can be daunting. Be assured, though, that for thousands of families like yours it is a time they would not trade for the world. For tips on how to open up that world for your child and your family, contact us. We can help from the planning to helping you make the arrangements, and our online support will give you the confidence to make this vacation your best yet. Special Needs Travel Can Open Up New Worlds to the Family
Traveling and vacationing for families of special needs children takes a lot of time, organization and just plain work to achieve a getaway that the whole family can enjoy. Still, these families do it all the time. Vacations cannot be planned only for the child with special needs, but if he is not accommodated, there is no vacation. |
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