Autism is a medical condition or syndrome that causes kids and adults to behave in different ways. Depending on the severity of your child’s condition, he or she may have problems communicating, when schedules change and even with going to school. Though you might think it’s impossible to travel with kids who have autism, there are things you can do to help those kids feel comfortable on even the longest of card rides. It’s important that your child feels comfortable and safe while on the road ahead.
Create a Set Schedule
Children with autism often have a hard time with schedule changes, which is why you should attempt to follow the same schedule during your trip. If your child always has snack time at 10 in the morning and always eats lunch at noon, make stops at the same time. You can also work with your child to create a similar schedule while on the road. Let your son or daughter decide when to stop for bathroom breaks or meals and when to take naps or stop at attractions along the road.
Prepare in Advance
Parents of children with autism often find it helpful to prepare well in advance of a road trip. Sit down with your child to talk about some of the things you might see along the way and places you want to stop. Your son or daughter can even look over the map and find additional places to stop too. Parents can also prepare their children with shorter road trips. Start out with a short drive of 10 to 20 minutes before slowly working your way up to longer trips. This helps your child adjust to spending more time in the car.
Make the Ride Comfy
Making the ride more comfortable is one of the best things you can do. Bring along your child’s favorite blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and other toys from home. Your child might like having a few books to read or a tablet to play on too. When planning road trips, some parents look for weighted blankets autism tools too. These blankets have weights inside that press down on the child’s lap. This provides pressure that helps kids stay calm. Before you take off on a road trip with your autistic child, prepare in advance, create a set schedule and find ways to make the ride more comfortable.