Your flight boards in five minutes, but you and your family have only just made it to the front of the security line. You’re trying to lift your 50-pound luggage onto the conveyor belt, while pleading with your son (who has ASD) to take off his headphones just for a moment to go through the metal detector. The TSA agent eyes him suspiciously and you prepare for the long explanation you’ll have to give, all while the people behind you roll their eyes, tap their feet, and push your luggage forward before you even have time to take off your own shoes.
Traveling during the holidays can be stressful for any family, and most advice on this subject doesn’t consider the unique needs of children with ASD. Whatever your plans are this holiday season, try these four tips to help alleviate unnecessary stress.
- If traveling by plane, contact the airline and airport in advance.
If your child has never been through airport security before, it helps to do a practice run so they know what to expect. Contact the airport in advance to plan a day when your family can go through the steps of waiting in line, going through security, and finding your gate, so you can all feel better prepared for the real thing. Don’t forget to check out the new sensory-friendly roomat Pittsburgh International Airport, which includes a replica of an airplane cabin, so kids can get used to the feeling of sitting on a plane.
- Systematize your travel plans.
Children on the autism spectrum tend to feel more at ease with structured schedules and routines, so it might help to review schedules, routes, maps, and other systematized elements of your travels. Visual representations can also be helpful. For example, you can use apps like Flight Trackerto track any flight around the world.
- Be prepared for anything.
Elizabeth Spaar, a member of Autism Connection’s Facebook community, recommends being prepared for hunger, thirst, fatigue, and any other discomforts that might arise while traveling. She suggests having a home base at your destination where your child can be alone or in a low-sensory environment. Build this into your schedule, so you don’t have to worry about sudden setbacks. As always, keep sensory-friendly devices and familiar items handy as well.
- Try alternative forms of travel where possible.
Research has shown that children with ASD, tend to be fascinated by trains and subways. Some even find them to be soothing. If your child has demonstrated an interest in these forms of travel, consider traveling by train or subway whenever possible during the holidays.
Although traveling during the holidays might seem daunting, planning ahead can help both you and your family feel more secure when the day comes. Even during the rough patches, remember that you and your family are in this together, and that’s part of what makes the season so special.