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.
Planning ahead is key. You should allow your autistic child to participate in the planning. You know your youngster best. You know the things he enjoys and the things that are sure to bring on a meltdown. That's one reason it's so important for plans to be flexible.
Over scheduling is a big mistake. If you try to do too much, stress is going to be the result. This can be a disaster for a kid who has special challenges. It a better idea to plan for one or two activities each vacation day so your child has a chance to acclimate himself to the unfamiliar surroundings.
You must have a safety plan. Wandering is a major concern of parents who have autistic children. It can be especially dangerous when the autistic youngster is non-verbal.
A medical bracelet, that has all your child's pertinent information, is a must. If you have a child that is sensory sensitive however, you might have to attach his identification tag to a belt or zipper. For the allergic child, a list of sensitivities has to be included.
You have to pack keeping your child's sensitivities in mind. When an autistic child is attached to a blanket, stuffed toy, or some other comfort object, leaving it behind can be disastrous. You also need to pack the things your child is used to in his everyday routine. You will want to have familiar snacks, toys, and clothing. You should put in anything that might help to soothe him if he becomes anxious, like an iTouch.
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.
Schedule plenty of breaks every day of your vacation. It isn't realistic to expect an autistic child to spend the whole day at a theme park for instance. After a couple of hours, you might have to leave. You have to make plans in advance for this. You might extend your visit, so you can go to the park for a few hours and then spend some time relaxing a the hotel pool. Keeping to the normal bedtime routine while you are away is one way to keep your youngster on track.
Planning ahead is key. You should allow your autistic child to participate in the planning. You know your youngster best. You know the things he enjoys and the things that are sure to bring on a meltdown. That's one reason it's so important for plans to be flexible.
Over scheduling is a big mistake. If you try to do too much, stress is going to be the result. This can be a disaster for a kid who has special challenges. It a better idea to plan for one or two activities each vacation day so your child has a chance to acclimate himself to the unfamiliar surroundings.
You must have a safety plan. Wandering is a major concern of parents who have autistic children. It can be especially dangerous when the autistic youngster is non-verbal.
A medical bracelet, that has all your child's pertinent information, is a must. If you have a child that is sensory sensitive however, you might have to attach his identification tag to a belt or zipper. For the allergic child, a list of sensitivities has to be included.
You have to pack keeping your child's sensitivities in mind. When an autistic child is attached to a blanket, stuffed toy, or some other comfort object, leaving it behind can be disastrous. You also need to pack the things your child is used to in his everyday routine. You will want to have familiar snacks, toys, and clothing. You should put in anything that might help to soothe him if he becomes anxious, like an iTouch.
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.
Schedule plenty of breaks every day of your vacation. It isn't realistic to expect an autistic child to spend the whole day at a theme park for instance. After a couple of hours, you might have to leave. You have to make plans in advance for this. You might extend your visit, so you can go to the park for a few hours and then spend some time relaxing a the hotel pool. Keeping to the normal bedtime routine while you are away is one way to keep your youngster on track.
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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.
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