ROAD TRIPPIN’ WITH ASD

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ROAD TRIPPIN’ WITH ASD

Top 10 tips for a smooth road trip

By Nikki Griffin

Summer is coming (really it is).  And that means road trip season!  If you have a child on the spectrum, like I do, then you know it will take some extra planning.  And…probably some extra pit stops.  But don’t let that stop you.  Often, it’s during those extra pit stops that the best memories are created!  Consider making the drive part of the adventure and the destination secondary.  Some of our favorite family memories are from the hours we spend in the car driving together!

Traveling by car has advantages for ASD families:

  • Bring along some soothing comforts of home
  • Freedom to make as many stops as you need
  • Hours of uninterrupted time together talking, laughing and learning
  • Keep to a schedule if required, or…you can throw the schedule out the window and do whatever you want!

TOP 10 TRAVEL TIPS

  1. Know your route — Have your trip mapped out and plan for unexpected roadblocks along the way (construction, road closures, traffic, etc.).
  2. Prepare an itinerary — Plan scheduled stops for movement breaks, bathroom breaks and meals.  – Choose hotels and attractions ahead of time.   – Know the location of specialty grocery stores if you need to restock along the way.
  3. Plan your departure time — Leaving at night might be best for some families, but not for others.  – Consider sleep schedules and outside conditions when planning your time on the road.
  4. Write a social story about road trips or driving in the car — Create a custom story with pictures and details of all the things you will experience along the way.  – Read this story together for days or weeks ahead of time.  – Bring this with you on the trip in case you need to re-familiarize.
  5. Pack a Go-Bag with calming tools:
    1. Noise canceling headphones
    2. Sunglasses
    3. Hat
    4. Favorite music or game
    5. Fidget toys: silly putty, worry stone, art supplies, removable stickers/cling decals for the window
    6. Favorite toy/stuffed animal
    7. Chewing gum
    8. Weighted blanket
    9. Lap-pad or magnetic play table
    10. Bottled water
    11. Healthy snacks
  6. Listen to an audio book — Audible.com has lots of family adventure stories.  We have sat in the car many times after arriving at our destination and nobody got out of the car because we all wanted to finish listening to the book.
  7. Pack a cooler — For larger snacks or groceries you pick up along the way.
  8. Prepare for bathroom issues — Especially if your child doesn’t like to use public restrooms.  – Pack lots of high fiber snacks, dried fruits, mineral oil or coconut oil and drink lots of water.
  9. Give praise to reinforce appropriate behavior throughout the trip.  — Consider buying a new toy or activity along the way.  This will help if your child is starting to lose interest in the drive.
  10. Prepare for the worst — While you can’t prepare for everything, you can pre-plan some solutions to minimize the stress that goes along with these situations.

HAPPY AND SAFE TRAVELS!

 Nikki Griffin is a Certified Autism Travel Professional and has her own travel business. She lives in Calgary, Alberta with her awesome husband, her super witty 12-year-old son, and her hilariously funny 14-year-daughter who is on the spectrum. Reach Nikki at 587-439-2626 or . #liveboldroamfar #redefiningtravel