7 Ways To Make Travel More Comfortable For A Kid

Begin food shopping. Day excursions. Local hotel overnight. Two-day road trip nearby. Three-day theme park stay. A weeklong flight and fresh adventures.

1. Start With Small

Due to minimal sensory overload, the opportunity to wander at your own speed, and the ability to carry food and beverages, the zoo is a great visit for autistic youngsters.

Introduce airline travel long before the flight through Social Stories, picture books, role-playing, visits to programs, or just an advance go to to the airport with programs that a particular airline may provide.

2. Do a Walk-Through

Sensory difficulties are typical in children with autism, therefore it's wise to anticipate overstimulation and introduce new sensory experiences in advance.

3. Weed Out Potentially Upsetting Stimuli

Keep a bag with items to combat boredom, overwhelm, and fatigue handy while traveling.

4. Pack a “Magic Bag”

Noise-canceling headphones, snack-size Ziploc bags containing low- or no-sugar snacks, surprises costing less than $10 in gift bags, a change of clothing, painting tools, lots of Band-Aids, and medication.

Request special needs accomodation. Defend your child's rights. A trained autistic travel specialist may plan your trip, or you can include a note in the reservation for any unique accommodations.

5. Alert Staff

They may have sensory rooms, quiet family rooms, lower lighting, and fewer people. CACs include Sesame Place in the state of Pennsylvania, SeaWorld Orlando in Florida, and Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America in Minnesota.

6. Find Autism-Friendly or Certified Destinations

Don't force your kids to act neurotypical—they can't, and why would you? Neurodivergent minds can imagine new situations with unmatched creativity, passion, intuition, humor, and generosity.

7. Set Your Own Expectations