Taking a family vacation can be great fun and create lots of lifelong memories. But if you have a child with autism, then a vacation can become a challenge. Children in any situation thrive on a structured schedule and the familiarity of their surroundings, but a person with autism relies on their routine for security. When that routine is disrupted, then the situation can get difficult. But with the proper planning, it can be fun and exciting for everyone to travel on family vacations anywhere in the country.
Stick To Destinations That Are In Your Child’s Comfort Zone
Children with autism need help transitioning from a familiar environment to an unfamiliar one. When you travel on vacation, always travel to destinations that you know your child will enjoy. If your child is hesitant about loud noises or lots of commotion, then a busy city is not the best place to vacation. On the other hand, if your child loves amusement parks then visiting a park built for children their age is going to be a big hit.
Create A Path Of Convenience
A path of convenience is a trail of businesses and hospitality professionals who are prepared for the needs of your child. Before you head out to travel with your child, you should contact the airline you will be using and the hotel you will be staying in to ask them to make any arrangements that would make your child feel more comfortable. You will find that most airlines, hotels, resorts, and other vacation related companies will be more than happy to do what they need to do to make your vacation more comfortable.
Reduce Problems
When you take a child with autism out of their comfort zone, they can pick up on stress and anxiety very easily. If a parent is arguing with an airline desk clerk about boarding passes, that can cause anxiety for the child. When you are traveling with your child, it is best to avoid being spontaneous about your schedule and you should always make sure to confirm all of your arrangements ahead of time.
Taking the time to reduce problems will benefit any vacation because eliminating stress makes vacations better. But when you are trying to make the experience better for your child, it is always best to confirm and possibly re-confirm your arrangements to make sure as little as possible goes wrong.
There are moments when parents of children with autism opt to not go on vacation because they are unsure as to how their child will react. In the development of any child, it is always a good idea to expand their horizons by exposing them to different people and experiences. When it comes to a child with autism, a little extra planning and attention paid to their needs can make a vacation fun and exciting.
Eden II Programs helps the autism community by providing programs and services combined with lifespan support to improve the quality of life for individuals with ASD and their families. Eden II has the greatest ability to help individuals with ASD reach their highest potential for independent, self-sustained living through high-quality ABA services, educational programs, adult day programs, group residential care, family support, respite, and a number of other services. Eden II Programs uses the evidence-based practices of ABA to develop skills, promote independence, and change lives for the better.
For information on programs and services available at Eden II, please visit us online at eden2.org or email us at info@eden2.org.
