Ten Tips for Summer Travel

With summer fully upon us, many families are now preparing to take a little time off work to perhaps travel somewhere new and exciting.  However, for families with one or more members on the lower functioning end of the autism spectrum, the prospect of taking a family vacation may seem daunting full of hassle.  There are still ways to find the enjoyment and relaxation many families find vacationing during the summer months as long as certain precautions are followed.

The Family Travel Forum has prepared a list of ten tips for vacationing with a child on the autism spectrum, which I have listed here:

1. Alert airlines and hotels ahead of time.
2. Make sure your child is comfortable with airplanes.
3. Safety First (Make sure hotels know about specific dieting needs and other necessary. accommodations to give them the opportunity to prepare for the specific needs of your child).
4. Authorized letter from your child's physician identifying disabilities and needs.
5. Be prepared (for the unexpected).
6. Be creative (in order to maximize engagement your child during the trip).
7. Know your child's likes and dislikes.
8. Focus on your child's strengths.
9. Stick to your (daily) routine (as much as possible).
10. Plan for the whole group.

For more details about these ten tips for traveling with a child on the autism spectrum, click here.