Keeping your child safe and happy at home is one challenge that can be exhausting, complex and mean you need eyes in the back of your head. Travelling with your child can be completely overwhelming and terrifying. What if they shout andscream? What if they jump up and down in the queue at the motorway services? What if they continually try to take off their seatbeltin the car oron theplane? What if they kick the seat in front andupset the person sitting in it? What if they start hitting you or becoming aggressive towards themselves? What if people stare? What if people make unkind comments? What if your child has a complete meltdown? What if they run away?As parents of children with autism, we can be forgiven for thinking staying at home is a wise decision. The thing is, if we let what ifs? determine what we do with our lives and the lives our children, we would never do anything.The list of what ifs above is not a random one. My daughter, Emily, has done every one of them over the years. Gradually with our help, she has learnt to love travelling. We have taken her to Turkey, France, Spain, Greece, Portugal and many places in the UK. She has travelled by plane, boat, ferry, train, underground and car. I remember when Emily was 3 years old and she had a complete fear of anything that moved independently to her (swings, seats, cars). She would bang her head on the dashboard, because she was so overstimulated, before we had evenmade it out of the drive.

The reason for all of thethings your child may do when travelling, either by car, train or plane,could be thatthey are justtotally overstimulated, scared, excited and unable to access their usual method of calmingthemselves.Many autistic children like to keep to routine and only do a limited number of activities over and over again.So, if you would like to go on holiday and travel with your autistic child, there are a number of things you will need to do before, during and after the journey, to keep your child calm, happy and relaxed.The more you can practise different aspectsof your travel, the more your child will be able to be comfortable with them.PLANNING YOUR JOURNEYPlanning is key to a successful, happy journey with your child. Research your journey and destination really carefully. Ask lots of questions about the place where you intend to stay. Is the area outside safe and secure? Are they a child friendly place? Are there times of the year that are quieter than others? If you are staying in any kind of complex, can you book the accommodation that is furthest from any nightlife? Can you lock your bedroom door when you are inside? Do they have any understanding of autistic children and theirneeds? Do they make any allowances for special children? Whatever is important to your child, make sure you ask the questions. PREPARING YOUR CHILDIf your autistic child has a complete meltdown every time you get them in the car and put their seat belt on, then this is clearly something you need to practice, long before you take them on a real journey. Emily and I used to play in the car on the drive. We would listen to music, I would sing her songs, we would draw and play with puppets, without ever moving the car. If your child is able to understand language, you could print lots of pictures and words about your holiday. Put them up around the house and talk about them every day. Create social stories around different aspects of your travel, e.g. what happens at a service station, what to do at an airport,sleeping in a new environment, going to the beach. The list is endless and should directly relate to your journey and holiday.PRACTICING WITH YOUR CHILDPractice doing things like driving short distances having tea at a caf wearing new clothes having a shower rather than a bath eating outside eating different food putting on suncream. Anything you can think of that can be practiced before you go away, will help your child.The idea behindPREPARINGandPRACTICINGis that you are trying to get your child to accept new things into their restricted routines, BEFORE you go away, therefore lessening the likelihood of your child being overstimulated, when the actual event happens.THINGS TO TAKE WITH YOUTake things that your child can play with on the journey. For my daughter, now, she goes nowhere without her iPad, headphones, iPod, notepad, crayons, bottle of water, cloth and teddy. Whatever your child loves, that will keep them occupied, keepthem calm and keep them happy, put in a backpack and take everywhere with you.KEEPING LOW KEY AND CALMWhen you finally reach your destination, keep everything as calm and quiet as possible. I know you will be excited and relieved that you have arrived and want to explore your surroundings. However, your child has probably already used up all their resources fordifferencethat day. Leave any other new experience until tomorrow.Have a wonderful time and enjoy yourselves.Take care.

THE AUTISM NANNYwww.theautismnanny.co.uk