Tips for Traveling with a Child with Autism

By: Clarissa Willis, Ph.D

Traveling can be stressful for families with young children. Visiting a new place filled with unfamiliar people and experiences can make children anxious, and changes in the daily routine can bring on meltdowns and tantrums. This is especially true if a child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Children with autism may have difficulty communicating or interacting with others, or dealing with new sights, sounds and smells. This may cause them to behave in ways that are not typically seen in young children. If your child has autism, you can use these simple strategies to help your child enjoy family outings.

First, remember that children with autism typically have a hard time handling changes in their routines or environments. Unexpected changes are even harder to handle, so be sure to tell your child about the trip ahead of time. If possible, show your child pictures of where you are going and talk about what you will do when you arrive at your destination.

Your child’s outbursts may tend to occur when she becomes upset, so bringing along a favorite toy or object, or using “calmers” is a great idea. In some cases, a calmer may be nothing more than a favorite blanket or pillow that soothes and relaxes your child, while in other cases it might include such things as a weighted blanket, weighted vest or a toy your child can squeeze.
During the trip, keep the lines of communication open between you and your child. Because 40 percent of children with autism are non-verbal, make sure you understand how your child communicates with you. For example, does he begin to rock his body back and forth when he is tired? Or does he scream when he hears an unfamiliar noise? If your child communicates by signing to you or gesturing, make sure that your child can see you as you travel together.
When you don’t understand what the child is trying to say to you through his behavior, ask yourself the following questions:

• What was your child doing immediately before the behavior started? For example, if Aaron was riding in the car and began to scream, examine what happened before the outburst. Perhaps the music on his MP3 player stopped. If the tantrum can be attributed to a single event, look for ways to avoid that event.
• What in the environment might have triggered the outburst or tantrum? Did something make a loud noise? Did it suddenly get brighter in the car? Is there a new smell that is unfamiliar to him?
• What is your child trying to say by his behavior? Remember, sometimes a child will act a certain way to protest, while other times he may cry out as a way of saying, “I don’t want to stop yet!” or “There’s too much going on here; I can’t think!” One key to the purpose or function of your child’s behavior is to look at what may consistently (typically) happen after the child’s behavior. If his tantrum is often followed by some kind of interaction with you or another adult (even if that attention or interaction appears negative), it may be that he is communicating (in a maladaptive way) that he wants attention.

Tuning in to your child’s behavior is the best way to help your child feel comfortable and avoid challenging behavior. But the behaviors of children with autism are not always predictable. In addition to the ideas above, keep in mind these five tips:

• Long car trips can become very tiring. If possible, avoid traveling too long without stopping for a break. Plan regular stops and tell your child when you are getting ready to stop. Allow time for taking a walk or stopping for a favorite meal.
• Avoid introducing too many unfamiliar places and situations. Most disruptive behavior occurs during a period of sensory overload or when your child is overwhelmed. On a trip to the beach, for example, don’t plan to visit the aquarium, the pier and eat at a new restaurant all in one day.
• Help your child focus on something you both can enjoy together while traveling.
• Travel at times that work for your child. If your child enjoys riding in the car and will sleep, travel at times when she is likely to be sleepy. If the bright sunlight is too much, travel at night or early in the morning.

Traveling with young children can be challenging, and your success depends on preventing problematic situations before they happen. You may find that some outings aren’t enjoyable for your child with autism, but keep trying. Your child has needs and preferences, and with a little practice and patience you can find ways to travel and places to go that work for everyone in your family.

Autism sidebar:

Traveling with a child with autism requires trial and error, and it helps to be prepared. Have these items on hand as you start to learn what your child needs to feel comfortable on trips:

*Ear muffs: When loud noises or new sounds are unavoidable, ear muffs can help prevent your child from feeling afraid or going into sensory overload. If your child is soothed by favorite music, bring it on a portable player with extra batteries and a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

*Sunglasses: Light can contribute to sensory overload. If your child doesn’t feel comfortable in sunglasses, try a soft sleep mask or a brimmed hat.

*Calming toy: Sometimes giving a child with autism a familiar stuffed animal is enough to help him feel at ease; other children with autism might need something that caters to their own specific sensory needs. Experiment with squeeze toys, vibrating toys, or soft chewable toys purchased from companies that specialize in sensory integration materials.

*Snuggle blanket: Some children are calmed by the gentle body pressure of a stretchy blanket cocoon. A few yards of Lycra or Spandex with a small hem works well.

Clarissa Willis, Ph.D., has worked for over 20 years on behalf of children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. She is the author of five books for educators and the award-winning My Child Has Autism: What Parents Need to Know for parents. A former Portland resident, she currently resides in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.