autism parenting – Autism Connection of Pennsylvania

Traveling Together: Tips for Families of Autistic People with High Support Needs

Family vacations rarely go exactly as planned. When an autistic family member has high support needs, travel often requires even more flexibility, preparation, and patience. But that doesn’t mean meaningful travel experiences are out of reach.

In fact, some of the most memorable trips aren’t the ones where everything went perfectly. They’re the ones where everyone felt safe, supported, and able to enjoy a special moment together.

One of the most important things families can do is choose a destination that fits the person’s needs, rather than trying to fit the person into a destination. Before booking, think about what will help your family member be comfortable. Is there a quiet place to take breaks? Are familiar foods available? Will there be opportunities to rest and recover from busy activities?

For many autistic people with high support needs, the place you’re staying can be more important than the attractions you plan to visit.

Choosing a Place to Stay

When renting a home, condo, or cabin, look beyond the beautiful photos. Consider practical details such as safety, noise levels, accessibility, parking, and whether there is enough space for everyone to decompress when needed. A simple, predictable environment is often a better choice than one that is exciting but overwhelming.

Bringing familiar supports from home can also make a big difference. Items that provide comfort and routine can help reduce stress and make new environments feel more manageable. Consider packing:

Favorite comfort items
Noise-canceling headphones or sensory tools
Preferred snacks and drinks
Communication devices and chargers
Medications and medical supplies
Downloaded music, videos, or apps

These items are not extras. They are important supports that help people feel secure and regulated.

Travel Plans

Travel days themselves can be challenging. Whether you’re driving or flying, try to build flexibility into the schedule. Allow extra time, plan for breaks, and remember that slowing down is often better than pushing through. Many families find it helpful to focus less on seeing everything and more on creating a pace that works for everyone.

If you’re flying, it may be worth exploring disability supports offered by airports and airlines. Services such as pre-boarding, assistance navigating crowded terminals, and other accommodations can help reduce stress before the trip even begins.

Passenger Support | Transportation Security Administration

For families with multiple children, it’s important to remember that siblings are traveling too. They may understand why plans sometimes change, but they still need opportunities to be included and valued.

Considering the Entire Family

Before the trip, consider asking each child what would make the vacation feel special to them. Sometimes the answer is something simple. It could be a favorite restaurant, a trip to an arcade, extra pool time, or a one-on-one outing with a parent. Protecting those moments whenever possible helps everyone feel like their needs matter.

It’s also okay for siblings to have mixed feelings. They may feel disappointed when plans change or frustrated when a situation becomes stressful. Creating space for those feelings, without judgment, helps children feel heard and supported. For some families, it works to allow the sibling to bring a friend along. When that’s not an option, there may be opportunities for one parent to visit attractions with the sibling that might be overwhelming for the autistic child.

Just as important, caregivers need support too. Managing safety, communication, routines, meals, medications, and travel logistics can be exhausting. If possible, share responsibilities, keep expectations realistic, and build recovery time into the days before and after your trip.

A Simple Message about Successful Trips

At the end of the day, success doesn’t have to mean checking every attraction off a list.

A successful trip might mean that everyone got enough sleep. It might mean finding a quiet beach, sharing a favorite meal, enjoying an afternoon at the pool, or watching a child smile during a new experience. It might simply mean that everyone felt safe, respected, and cared for.

Those moments count.

Traveling with an autistic family member who has high support needs may look different from what others expect a vacation to be. That’s okay. When families focus on support, flexibility, and connection instead of perfection, they create space for something even more meaningful, the chance to experience the world together.

Thanks to attendees and facilitators of the Caring for Loved Ones with High Support Needs group for sharing ideas and experiences. Those interested in joining this support group can visit our Events Page for registration, or email help@autismofpa.org for more information.

Caring for Loved Ones With High Support Needs

A free virtual, interactive workshop for parents and caregivers of children, teens, and adults with high support needs. This session offers a space to share experiences, ask questions, and access practical information. We’ll talk about day-to-day challenges, long-term planning, and ways to support people who are deeply affected by autism. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or have years of experience, you’re welcome to connect and learn with others who understand.

Register Here

Caring for Loved Ones With High Support Needs

Topic: Challenges and successes as the weather warms. Seasonal change and the end of the school year for school-age individuals affects our kids differently. No school, more downtime, hot weather and family vacations can all present both a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle but also present challenges as summer may come with more downtime and more schedule changes.

Register here

Caring for Loved Ones with High Support Needs/Profound Autism

Building a Strong Support Team

Finding and working with the right support staff can make a big difference for families caring for loved ones with high support needs. In this support group, we’ll talk about how to build a reliable support team, including Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), home health aides, and school staff. We’ll share practical tips for finding staff, communicating your loved one’s needs, setting clear expectations, and building positive working relationships. Families will also have the chance to exchange ideas, challenges, and strategies that have helped them create supportive partnerships.

Register on Zoom

Caring for Loved Ones with Profound Autism Virtual Meeting

The Caring for Loved Ones with Profound Autism is a free virtual, interactive workshop for parents and caregivers of children, teens, and adults with profound autism. This session offers a space to share experiences, ask questions, and access practical information. We’ll talk about day-to-day challenges, long-term planning, and ways to support people who are deeply affected by autism. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or have years of experience, you’re welcome to connect and learn with others who understand.

Register Here

Language Matters: Why Disability Slurs Hurt—and What We Can Do About It

Until we recognize that autistic people and people with disabilities are valuable, capable human beings, we will continue to lose words that were originally meant simply to describe a demographic. Over time, everyday language gets twisted, misused, and weaponized—turning descriptive terms into insults. When that happens, the people connected to those words become targets too.

This cycle harms more than vocabulary. It harms people.

When Words Become Weapons

Many disability-related terms began as neutral descriptions. But because our society has long underestimated, excluded, or stigmatized people with disabilities, those words often slid into the realm of slurs. We see this most clearly with the R-word—once a clinical descriptor, now a widely recognized insult.

The problem isn’t the word itself.
The problem is how our culture has treated the people behind it.

If a group is not respected, their label becomes a punchline.
If a group is devalued, their identity becomes shorthand for “lesser than.”

Autistic people and families tell us that the impact is anything but harmless.

The Real Impact on Autistic People and Families

A parent recently shared with us:

“The slur-hurling is making us (autistic people and their families) feel like we’re ‘lesser than’. We’re not seen as deserving of services or help by the general public if we’re seen as a punchline. Or worse, we’re invisible because everyone is trying to make autism look like it’s less severe than what it is. Language does matter.”

This is the lived experience behind the jokes, memes, and “I didn’t mean it that way” excuses.

Slurs do more than sting. They influence whether someone is seen as deserving of support, empathy, or even basic dignity. They shape how teachers respond, how communities include, how neighbors interact, and how policymakers prioritize services.

When people become jokes, they also become invisible.

Minimizing Autism Doesn’t Help Anyone

There’s a growing cultural tendency to soften or minimize the challenges many autistic people face. While positive stories and strengths-based perspectives are important, they cannot erase the need for support, services, and understanding—especially for those with high support needs.

When autism is treated like a quirky personality trait rather than a legitimate disability, families may encounter disbelief, judgment, or outright dismissal.

And when slurs are used casually, it reinforces the idea that autism, intellectual disability, or developmental differences are inherently negative. Or worse, something to mock.

Respect Starts With Language

Changing the way we speak is not about being “overly sensitive” or enforcing “political correctness.” It is about recognizing the full humanity of autistic people and people with disabilities.

Words can:

reinforce stigma
block access to support
shape public attitudes
affect policy decisions
influence how people treat one another

Respectful language creates safer and more inclusive spaces. It signals that people with disabilities are real, valued members of our communities, not punchlines, burdens, or stereotypes.

What We Can Do

Everyone plays a role in reducing harm and building a more inclusive culture. Here’s where we can start:

1. Retire disability slurs—including the R-word—completely.
Even “as a joke,” they reinforce harmful beliefs.

2. Speak up when you hear others use them.
A simple “That word hurts people. Could we choose something else?” can make a difference.

3. Learn from disabled voices.
Autistic people and their families are telling us what they need. Listening is the first step.

4. Use language that reflects dignity.
People-first or identity-first language is always better than a slur.

5. Model respect in everyday conversation.
Kids, coworkers, and community members learn from what we say.

A Community Built on Respect

Autistic people and families deserve to be seen, heard, and valued. When we change our language, we help change our culture—and we make space for understanding instead of mockery, connection instead of stigma.

Language does matter.
And so do the people behind it.

If you or your family need support, Autism Connection of Pennsylvania is here to help.

Autism Safety Expo 2025

Autism Connection of PA is excited to announce our upcoming Autism Safety Expo in concert with Jefferson Health’s Center for Autism and Neurodiversity, Philadelphia. The Expo will unite families, caregivers, professionals, and community members to promote safety awareness related to autism and co-occurring conditions on Friday October 17th from 9-4, and Saturday the 18th from 9-noon at Monroeville Volunteer Fire Company #4, 4370 Northern Pike, Monroeville, PA 15146. Your participation in this event will help make it an important “one stop shop” for people dealing with disability challenges, who are in need of safety and caregiving supplies, technology, and information!

There is no fee nor registration required for the community.

Sponsor and Event Table opportunities are available.

Click here for Sponsorship

Click here for Event Table

Email development@autismofpa.org for more information.