What Coping Skills Help You When Traveling?

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Issue 16’s Big Question

What coping skills or accommodations help you and/or your child with Autism Spectrum Disorder when traveling?

Gretchen McIntire, our Guest Editor, asked this question to the #ActuallyAutistic Community on Twitter and Facebook. Here’s what they had to say:

“I’m pretty cool with travelling but I’ll always appreciate someone showing me how to buy then use train tickets, because I’m scared I’ll mess it up. Planes I hate with a passion. I have noise cancelling earphones and a comfort object (could be a fidget toy) on me, usually.”

Holly, @blukodibear

“Always have an exit strategy”

Sandi, @sandyquill

“Researching the locations I’m traveling to. If it’s a business or someone’s home, Google maps is extremely helpful as I can view details about the street, parking, etc. Also helpful are the photos of businesses, reviews, and Q&A section. Ultimately, the key is preparedness.”

Katie, @K8EMusic

“When my son was younger he really liked me to lay out step by step where we were going & we would repeat it over & over in the car. Now, at 21 yrs old, he likes to know where we are going and what we’re doing there—aka how long this is gonna take. ?”

Julie, @AllThingsJules

“Loose clothing, a drink and a snack available, headphones and device to listen to music/videos, anything that helps soothe, e.g. a plush toy in our situation, a verbal or written plan of the journey including pit stops. It won’t work for everyone but it works for us.”

Paul, @garbo100

“We always tell my son when there will be loud sounds or something we know will make him feel uneasy ahead of time so he is prepared. Usually with loud sounds he will cover his ears and he is fine.”

Samantha Bourque (Facebook)

“Headphones for me, no questions.”

Jeff Snyder (Facebook)

“Son wears sound defenders to avoid over stimulation of sound and it tends to make him more relaxed”

Brad Nathan (Facebook)

“TSA pre-check! it’s uncomfortable to stand in line in a bright, loud and crowded place for too long, and also having to take off my shoes and go through my luggage (which packing was difficult, and probably disorganized, coz executive functioning). Pre-check lets me avoid a lot of the hassle :)”

Haley Moss, @haleymossart

“My two just need to know where we’re going and how long it’s going to take. The older they get they’re slowly able to take longer and longer trips.”

Brian, @briangmaddox

“1) packing correct snacks. Especially for on the plane. They don’t have anything he will eat. 2) we pack his pillow. Bedding too if not flying. 3) iPad & earbuds or headphones of course 4) we have to look at all menus and find somewhere to eat that has something he will eat. Or sometimes we have 2 meals. Or room service his in if I am going to eat somewhere, he doesn’t like. 5) we take breaks. It cannot be go go go. We let him decide when he is done. When possible, we do private tours instead of bus tours. 6) camping chair. So he can sit when in a long line”

Jen Oettinger (Facebook)

Music, headphones, therapy puddy, books of his obsession, favorite blanket, velcro, anything he can spin quietly”

Carrie Huffman (Facebook)