Introduction.
Travelling can be challenging if you have a child with Autism (ASD). Zooming in, the airport can be a particularly daunting experience, as over 80% of parents reported in one of Airport Parking Shop’s (2023) surveys. This is not surprising as the airport is not a frequented place in everyday life, and queueing, security, body searches, announcements, crowds, and noise can be easily overwhelming (Fowler, 2023). Furthermore, other aspects of travelling such as changes and the lack of a fixed routine/predictability and lack of familiarity in a foreign environment can also bring about distress depending on the child (Neo & Flaherty, 2018). Thankfully, this does not mean that individuals with ASD can never enjoy travel, as there are some precautions that can help alleviate stress from the entire experience.
Choosing a destination.
It will be good to talk to your child about what to expect of the destination, and if possible, have them involved in the decision-making! Remember to consider your child’s interests while planning the trip and include places that they will like. For instance, you can bring them to a train museum if they love trains. This can help make the trip more enjoyable for them, and make the challenges feel worth it.
Other than your child’s preferences, here are some other things to consider when choosing a holiday destination:
Avoid peak season or busy places.
If you think that your child would enjoy visiting tourist spots such as theme parks or cruises, you can check beforehand – through their website or phone call – on whether they offer services for special needs visitors. For example, some places may have staff who are specially trained, or designated areas for those who need a sensory break (Benys, n.d.).
Consider somewhere near nature such as the beach or camping, where it is away from human crowds and more tranquil.
Food options: If your child has dietary restrictions or is a picky eater, check whether such foods will be available.
Distance: Visiting somewhere further means a longer time in transit (Fowler, 2023). Consider whether your child will be able to sit through a long flight, or whether it would be better to choose somewhere closer to home.
Booking your trip.
As with destinations, it may be equally important to find a suitable airline that is able to cater to passengers with special needs. Call to ask about whether they are: [1.] used to having children with ASD aboard; [2.] able to arrange for quicker check in and boarding – either first or last, to minimize waiting time and crowds; [3.] other special services they may have (Special Learning Inc., n.d.; Wool, 2023).
Meanwhile, consider the following when choosing your flight:
Timing – It might be good to find a flight that falls within your child’s sleep timing, which might help them to sleep through it (Special Learning Inc, n.d.).
Duration – Whichever the mode of transport, take into consideration the duration of the travel; Will it be too long, and will transfers be require? (Special Learning Inc, n.d.; Neo & Flaherty, 2018). These are factors that may add on challenges into your trip.
Seating – Many airlines require additional payment to choose your seat, but this might be an amount worth paying to avoid your family from being separated during the flight (Fowler, 2023). If your child enjoys looking outside, getting them a window seat might serve as a good distraction, especially during take-off and landing when there will be loud sounds and rumbling (Special Learning Inc., n.d.).
While waiting for your flight, you can consider booking a lounge for a quieter environment, if the budget allows. Some airports even provide separate ones specifically for customers with special needs (Fowler, 2023).
As for lodging, you can request for a room at the end of the corridor – away from the lift, swimming pools, and other noises that your child might find stimulating (Benys, n.d.). Make sure to look for a place with sufficient cooking equipment if you need to prepare your child’s meals during the trip.
Preparing your child.
While the travelling experience can be overwhelming for a child with ASD, knowing what to expect can help them to better prepare themselves (Benys, n.d.). Below are ways you can familiarize them to the process and what they might experience on the trip:
Go on field trips!
Gradually expose them to similar settings by bringing them to the bank or the mall, starting with smaller crowds and queues. Eventually, you can bring them to the airport before the actual trip (Special Learning Inc, n.d.). Some airports may allow for a “trial run” before the actual flight, so you can call to check if you could bring your child down the day before for a simulation of the pre-flight process.
Use pictures, videos, and social stories to describe the entire flight process, as well as sensory experiences that they might encounter (Benys, n.d.; Wool, 2023).
It is important to discuss situations they will find particularly uncomfortable, such as security; The sight of many uniformed individuals may be unfamiliar to them, and they may have to be patted down during checks. During the flight, they might also experience ear pressure.
Go through what they need to do, and some methods to help themselves alleviate their discomfort. Let them know that everything is okay (Special Learning Inc, n.d.).
Review the process as many times as possible and also get your child to explain it back to you (Wool, 2023). The latter activity will help you to know how much they understand and which parts they may have doubts with but remember to accommodate it to their developmental and communication abilities.
Besides being able to anticipate the trip’s events, a calendar and checklists are other tools that can make the trip feel more manageable to your child (Fowler, 2023).
Provide a calendar for counting down to the trip (Benys, n.d.). It can also include when the trip will end, as well as some activities on the itinerary.
Provide a packing checklist and get them involved in picking what to pack. This is a good way to give them a sense of control over the entire process (Benys, n.d.) and the items can give a concrete idea of the destination.
Special items to pack.
Comfort items and sensory-management items can go a long way in enhancing the entire experience for your child. If possible, avoid washing comfort items such as toys or blankets, as their familiar smell may provide an additional sense of comfort. Sensory-management items such as earplugs and play foam (Special Learning Inc, n.d.; Wool, 2023) can be anything that your child uses to prevent overstimulation and/or regulate themselves.
Other than these, remember to also prepare the following:
Wearable tags – In case your child gets lost (Benys, n.d.). Include their name, your contact details, and home address.
Medicine – Consult your professional before travelling and remember to pack your child’s necessary prescription and medical reports. It might be good to bring extra, in case of sickness or misplacement during the trip. You can consider asking for sedatives for Plan B if your child ends up panicking, but this should be used only as a last option (Special Learning Inc., n.d.).
Meals and snacks – If your child has dietary restrictions or preferences (Wool, 2023).
Timer – To use as a visual for how long more they expected to be in-flight (Wool, 2023).
During the trip.
Schedule down time to relax!
Set aside time each day to go through what’s next on the schedule. Visual schedules may come in handy here (Benys, n.d.).
If your child has specific dietary restrictions or preferences, consider staying in to cook.
Finally, ensure that you are prepared to be flexible and make changes on the fly, especially if your child has difficulties with particular activities or if other issues crop up. Otherwise, have a great time!
Written by Leong Jia Hui.
References
Benys, L. (n.d.). Traveling with a child with autism: New resources and expert tips. Frommer’s. (https://www.frommers.com/trip-ideas/disabled/traveling-with-autism
Fowler, A. (6 Febrary, 2023). Autism and UK airports – Improving assistance for passengers with autism. Airport Parking Shop. https://www.airport-parking-shop.co.uk/blog/uk-airports-need-step-assistance-autism/
Neo, W.X., Flaherty, G.T. (November 23, 2018). Autism spectrum disorder and international travel. International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health, 7(1), page 1-3. https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_79196_ef2ba59f72072fc01ecd3ec6c7b9ae40.pdf
Special Learning Inc. (n.d.) Traveling by air with your autistic child. https://special-learning.com/traveling-by-air-with-your-autistic-child/
Wool, E. (2023). Come fly with me: Travel tips for children with autism spectrum disorder. JCFS Chicago. https://www.jcfs.org/blog/come-fly-me-travel-tips-children-autism-spectrum-disorder#:~:text=Create%20a%20social%20story.&text=Include%20pictures%20and%2For%20descriptions,as%20possible%20prior%20to%20departure.
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