5 Tips for Traveling with an Autistic Child

Vacationing with an autistic child doesn’t have to be difficult. If you are a parent of an autistic child, the most important thing you need to remember is that your child needs routine and structure. Since vacationing is generally defined by leaving the routine and structure of home behind to have fun and let loose, many parents find that their autistic children cannot handle the drastic change. Here are 5 tips you can follow to ensure that your vacation runs smoothly and everyone has a blast.

1. Familiarize your child with the vacation destination in the weeks preceding the trip.

Many autistic children have fear of unknown places. You can ease this fear by showing your child movies, pictures, and websites about the destination you’re planning to visit at least a couple of weeks in advance. You can also count down the days left until the departure date on a calendar so your child knows exactly when you’ll be leaving. You can also make yearly vacations easier on your child by vacationing in the same location every year.

2. Practice passing through airport security.

Passing through security checkpoints at the airport can be a daunting task for autistic children because it is so time-consuming and there are so many specific instructions to follow. To make passing through security checkpoints easier for your child, call the airport in advance to find out if you can do a practice run through security, simulating each step you will have to take. If doing a practice run is not possible, let airport personnel know about your child’s autism ahead of time.

3. Stay in a rental rather than a hotel.

When traveling with an autistic child, it’s better to stay in a rental, such as a Myrtle Beach vacation home, rather than a hotel. A rental will feel more familiar and home-like to your child. Also, rentals include a kitchen where you can prepare your own food. Having access to familiar foods throughout the vacation will help your child adjust to his new surroundings more easily. In order to help your child get accustomed to spending the night outside of the home, stay at a friend’s house for one night before the trip. In addition, make sure to bring your child’s bedding and blankets with you on vacation.

4. Make sure your child wears identification.

Make sure your child wears an identification tag with his name, diagnosis, and your contact information in case he wanders off sometime during the trip. You can pin the tag to the back of your child’s shirt or attach it to his shoelaces if he refuses to wear the tag around his neck.

5. Plan for plenty of downtime to avoid meltdowns.
Always being on the go and filling each day of the vacation with tons of activities isn’t necessarily the way to go because it can cause meltdowns in autistic children. Make sure to plan for plenty of downtime and limit the number of activities you participate in each day so your child can relax and avoid sensory overload. Stay in a Myrtle Beach vacation home or condo so your child can feel at home and enjoy greater privacy.