Traveling can be a stressful experience for anybody. However, it can be especially challenging for autistic people. New environments, loud noises, and strangers can all be difficult to manage, and the unpredictability of the journey can make the experience pretty scary for children with ASD. To make traveling with an autistic child as stress-free as possible, planning, preparation, and methods of distraction are all essential.
In this guide, we share our top tips on how to make traveling with autism easier, so you and your family can get from A to B with a little less stress.
Any minor changes in the routine of an autistic child can seem like the end of the world for them. As you can imagine, there are numerous unpredictable events that can occur when traveling, many of which have the chance to trigger a child with autism which can lead to stimming or sensory overload.
What’s more, airports and airplanes can be over-stimulating for autistic children, especially if they are unfamiliar with these spaces. The noisiness of takeoff or landing and the busyness of airport terminals and security lines can be overwhelming for autistic children.
Despite these challenges, with the right planning and preparation, you can increase the likelihood of a successful journey. Let's take a look at the actionable autism travel tips to check over before, during and after a flight to ensure you are prepared for any circumstances that may arise.
1. Call the airline to discuss your child’s needs
The first step you should take to mitigate the stress for both yourself and your child is to contact the airline directly and ask them how much they can help. Luckily, many larger airlines have support staff and measures in place to help travelers with special needs, with companies like Delta Airlines offering seating accommodations and assistance throughout your trip. We recommend creating a one-page document outlining your child’s diagnosis, medications, and special needs and sharing this with the airline, explaining what special assistance you require. You could even do this before you book your flights, especially if you are choosing between multiple airlines.
2. Create an itinerary and essential items list
A great autism travel tip is to plan out the day to the hour, print it off, and explain the journey to your child so they can visualize it. If they can verbalize their worries, this is a great time to plan when and where to wear noise-canceling headphones or employ autism-calming techniques. Then, create an adjacent list of items to match their needs during each stage of the journey.
3. Familiarize your child with the travel environment
Depending on the severity of your child’s autism, it might be worth visiting the location of travel, i.e. airports, bus stations, and train stations, to remove the element of surprise. You could even design your own social stories (trademark of Carol Gray, 1991). A social story is a learning tool designed to encourage communication and improve learning experiences while preparing the child for specific events like bus journeys or crowded areas.
Additionally, some airports are starting to incorporate sensory rooms into their terminals with flight simulation options. So, depending on what airport you go to, your child may be able to benefit from these facilities.
4. Pack the essential comfort and stimulatory items
Double-check that all your child’s favorite sensory tools and clothes are packed, and identify which items you will need access to in hand luggage.
5. Use an ultra-light sensory backpack for hand luggage
Our recommended sensory travel backpack contains 20 individual custom sensory items in a practical, lightweight roller, which can help to calm and distract your child if they are feeling overwhelmed. You don’t have to take all 20 items with you on every trip, and you should be mindful of anything that will trigger an alert during security. Remember to tell your child that their hand luggage will be checked and may need to be emptied during security!
We recommend sitting with your autistic child to understand the most important items to them before travel. Water, snacks, gaming devices, and travel sickness items can all be packed at this stage, too.
6. Select your seats
Before you fly, discuss the seating arrangements with the airline and see what accommodations they can make for autistic children. Showing your child where they will be sitting on the plane ahead of time can also help to alleviate anxiety.
7. Prepare your child for TSA checks
Your child will have to go through the legal security checks at the airport. However, as part of the TSA Cares service, there are modified procedures accessible for those who need additional assistance, if arranged ahead of time. You should contact them at least 72 hours ahead of your trip. This is particularly important if your autistic child struggles with boundaries.
Either way, you should explain to your child what security screenings they should expect at the airport to best prepare them. Creating a visual story via cue cards can assist with this.
8. Autism awareness badge: can you skip queues with a child with autism?
Many airports offer special lines, allowing those with disabilities to fast-track the queues. Make sure your child wears their sunflower lanyard, indicating they have an ‘invisible disability’, as staff are trained on how to provide assistance.
You may also be greeted by an assistant at the airport if it suits your needs and you arranged this prior. You could also notify the gate assistant that your child has ASD to get priority boarding first or last to avoid busy periods.
9. Keep communicating
You should communicate with your child throughout the journey, updating them with where they are on the itinerary and where they are at in the journey. You may use visual picture cues and even a portable visual timer to help reduce anxiety further.
10. Remember the entertainment and food
Once your child is seated and en route, you can try to keep them comfortable and engaged with the toys and entertainment you packed in their hand luggage. Takeoff and landing is a good time for noise-cancelling headphones, and soothing sensory tools can help alleviate anxiety. Comfort foods are also a good idea at this point.
11. Allow for the transition period
Before rushing into new places and activities, allow your child to become comfortable in their new surroundings.
12. Find a routine
If possible, mimic the daily routine of your day-to-day activities at home. Reinforce these routines so that your child can gradually become accustomed to their new environment.
13. Celebrate small achievements
Encourage your child to enjoy this time and acknowledge their success in traveling so well, this reinforces positive feelings linked to traveling and is an autism travel tip you shouldn’t overlook.
14. Make it feel like home
If you feel it would help, you could book a hotel or room similar to your home. Or, bring a few items from home to make your new stay feel like home, such as pillows, bedding, toiletries and snacks.
Using these recommendations can certainly make your time traveling much smoother. But, if in doubt, call or email the airport, hotel, and resorts prior to booking to cover all your bases.
Traveling with autistic children requires careful planning, consideration and sometimes a touch of improvisation. But, by following these autism travel tips and thoroughly planning your vacation, you can make your upcoming adventure a positive one.
For more advice on helping your autistic loved ones navigate the world around them, please take a look at our sensory blog. Or, shop our sensory items designed for autism to find a solution that makes a difference in your next journey.
