PLAN YOUR DAY OUT/VACATION

Planning beforehand will help you avoid getting stressed while travelling and that will help your child/children stay calm too.

TOP TIPS

When planning your first holiday it can be helpful to start with a destination that’s not too far from home. Staying relatively local reduces travel stress and gives your child a chance to get used to being away in a more familiar setting. A positive first experience builds confidence and increases the likelihood that they’ll be open to future trips further afield.

Make a “wishlist” of your needs:  sensory friendly, physical accommodations, dietary, safety (enclosed garden/not near water, etc.), WiFi, flexible arrival times, an allergy free room/hypo-allergenic pillows, clubs for kids/teens etc. before you begin to plan.

  1. Plan your day or holiday around the child’s interests.
  2. Avoid peak holiday times and busy places.
  3. If you have children with different needs, consider a quiet venue near an amusement park or a place that offers both, like Landal or Center Parcs.
  4. For days out, look for places with “autism-friendly” or “low sensory” days to ensure limited crowds and low lighting.
  5. Choose a venue close to home to start with so that the child gets used to travelling before your venture further afield.
  6. Plan regular breaks when travelling like parks.
  7. When booking travel, check it fits your needs.
  8. If going by train, book a “quiet” carriage.
  9. Consider travelling by ferry/ship with a  private compartment.
  10. Autism-friendly cruises.
  11. Schedule extra time to avoid rushing.

Notes

  • When booking travel arrangements or a venue do get the name/job title of the person you speak to and follow your call with an email to confirm what has been said/agreed. If you do not get a response within a reasonable amount of time speak to them again. 
  • If your child is non-verbal and you are travelling by car keep an Autism Alert Card in the car in case of emergencies.  See resources

Holistic Thinking Holidays, UK

REDUCE ANXIETY PRIOR TO TRAVELLING

 TOP TIP

 Check with the airport/station and your chosen venue as they may have some downloadable or video resources you can use like a sensory map or at least a sensory preparation kit for families, as that will help you to plan your visit in advance.

  1. Involve your child/children in planning the holiday (if appropriate).
  2. Protect them from sensory overload using a sensory pack or make your own Survival Kit see below.
  3. Use a visual schedule with pictures to help children who need reminders and prompts.
  4. Get the child/children to help pack their own suitcases.
  5. Practice travelling/going to new places.

Sensory pack/Survival Kit.

  1. Ear defenders/earplugs, noise-canceling headphones or an iPod/favorite music will help block out or lessen sounds the child finds painful or uncomfortable e.g. trains, planes, loud music and other sounds they find painful.
  2. Tinted lenses, sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat will make life easier for children who are sensitive to bright lights and/or fluorescent lights.
  3. Fidgets, compression vest, weighted blanket/lap pad, weighted animal etc. Note: Kaiko fidgets are quiet and discreet so are ideal when travelling.  
  4. Gum, chewy snacks, or chew toys.
  5. Something scented that they can sniff when they come across unfamiliar/unpleasant smells: i.e. a lip balms or handcream.
  6. An item from home, favorite toy, security blanket etc.
  7. A small blackout tent + sparkly lights could also be useful.

PRACTICE TIPS

 TOP TIP

Building predictability into your travel will help to reduce anxiety but do add in a Whoops! Factor to help get over those unexpected glitches – which can happen due to a detour, to find a garage etc.

  •  Look at maps/pictures/books etc. and go over the route and talk about the journey.
  • Add in the “Whoops!” Talk about the fact that sometimes you may have to change the route on the way – and reassure them that the “other road/route will still take you to the right place.
  • Take the same approach to the venue, its layout and the surrounding area e.g. beach, mountains, museum, amusement park etc. using pictures and videos.

Role play ideas:

  • Make your home into an “airport” or “museum,” and walk through what might happen there* or find an appropriate video on YouTube/other.
  • Rehearse going through airport security with your child see resources.

 PACKING – ESSENTIALS

  1. Taking your own toiletries will lessen the need to use those provided by the venue (which could overwhelm your child with their unfamiliar smells).  Note: if you are likely to wash some clothes while holidaying take your usual washing products too.
  2. Clothes that the child is comfortable with – without labels or seams where possible.
  3. An item that will remind the child of home.
  4. Medications, Special foods/drinks if needed.
  5. Baby/antiseptic wipes/

TRAVEL IN COMFORT

  1. Wear comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes while travelling.
  2. Keep an Autism Alert Card/similar in your car and take one with you too in case of emergencies.
  3. Keep fidgets, survival gear, weighted blanket, favorite toys etc. + some small travel games, books, and art supplies (that don’t use batteries) in a separate bag/backpack which you can keep nearby while travelling so that your child/children can get things out by themselves.
  4. Take a bag of snacks and drinks + bottles with straw to use on the journey. Avoid sugary products as they can affect behavior.  
  5. Baby/antiseptic wipes + tissues.

Top travel tip from a parent

When travelling it is helpful if all the family wear a distinctive hat or item clothing so that if you get separated the children can find you easily and you can spot them.  

Alternatives include: 

  • an ID bracelet or identification sticker that includes your mobile phone number and any medical information. (get them used to wearing it prior to your holiday to ensure the child will wear it)
  • A GPS tracker – though do be aware that some require a monthly subscription.  

For information re trackers see: https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-gps-trackers-and-devices-for-kids/

Useful resources

  • Koloko Direct is a free-to-use site that lists a whole range of autism friendly, sensory friendly and accessible holidays across the world. It also includes some autism certified places (where the staff have undergone specific training re autism) com   Note: you can use the site to search, find and book a holiday directly with the venue of your choice or ask one of our specialist travel associates to organize a holiday for you.
  • The Gowhee App is an easy-to-use interactive map that helps parents find family-friendly adventures and places with recommendations from a community of traveling families you can trust. Helpfully it also has a “Sensory Sensitive” filter. https://gowhee.com/
  • If you have food intolerances or allergies it may be helpful to use the Spokin App – https://www.spokin.com/about-the-spokin-app
  • The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Symbol is used on lanyards/badges to indicate that a person will need more help in travelling etc. https://hdsunflower.com/  Note: The sunflower lanyard is used at many airports across the world and has been launched in a wide range of countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the US.
  • In the UK the Nimbus Card (also known as the Access Card or CredAbility Card) translates disability/impairment into symbols that highlight the barriers you face and the reasonable adjustments you might need. Think of it as a Disability Passport.  https://www.thenationalcareline.org/Lifestyle/AccessCard/
  • Autism Alert Cards There are many different versions of these on the internet and some are country specific so pick the one that is most appropriate for your family.
  • Picturepath – https://mypicturepath.com/about/ Visual planner.
  • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) cards – https://nationalautismresources.com/visual-supports/
  • PECs App – https://pecs-unitedkingdom.com/apps/
  • Airports: Wherever you are travelling from, this series made by Vancouver International Airport, could be useful as it “walks” the viewer through each step of flying – see https://kolokodirect.com/information/airports/ (click the first tab and scroll down) for a few of them.

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