Travel Tips for Autistic People

Hi everyone!  Today’s blog post is going to be full of travel tips for those of you who are autistic or accompanying an autistic person.  If this sounds interesting to you, read on!

Audio coming soon!

Planning

Give a notice before the trip.  Us autistic people love our schedules, and part of going on vacation is knowing exactly when you’re going.  Give yourself or your autistic companion plenty of time to prepare.  Too early is always better than too late.  For a short trip, let us know at the very least a few days in advance.  For a longer trip, you may need to give a notice three weeks or more before you head out.  Keep a calendar visible that includes both the departure and return dates as well as the place you’re going.

Do research.  Research your vacation destination.  See what’s there and explore a variety of things to do and see.  It’s also helpful to look at maps, photos, and reviews so you can get a better expectation of what it’s going to be like.

Don’t center the vacation around a busy event.  Busy places and events, such as concerts, amusement parks, famous landmarks, and more are fun, but they can be very overwhelming to autistic people.  As such, don’t make these sorts of events the central focus of your trip.  Instead, spend a day or a few hours checking out the activity.  Leave if you’re uncomfortable and come back later if you like it.  If possible, seek options that allow you a wristband, pass, or something similar so that you can enter and exit the event as you wish without paying for it twice.

Plan downtime.  Plan downtime for your vacation.  This could be a few hours or a few days scattered throughout your trip.  Vacations should be about relaxing and recharging, so give yourself or your companion space to do so.

Find a soothing space.  If your vacation destination has a quiet beach, pool, or park, this can also be great places to chill while enjoying different surroundings.

Packing

Pack something for the go.  Make sure you have snacks and drinks (if allowed on your mode of transportation,) a blanket or small fan if it gets too hot or cold, a neck pillow, and activities to enjoy during the ride.  This might include a book to read, a drawing pad, a good playlist, a movie, a game, or anything else that is fun and calming during a trip.  Bonus – these things are also helpful to have for any downtime during your vacation.

Pack emergency items.  This includes items for medical, survival, or crime-related emergencies, such as a phone and charger, first-aid kit, wilderness survival items, and self-defense tools, but it also means providing resources for a personal emergency.  If you or your companion is becoming overstimulated or is at risk of meltdown, it’s always good to have something to help.  Examples include noise-cancelling headphones, fidgets, and AAC (augmentative and alternative communication.)  If it will be helpful for you, consider a note or other indication that you are autistic as well as a list of personal contacts.  That way, if you find yourself in a challenging situation, you can show others what’s going on and seek help.

Find the right clothes and necessities.  Consider the weather and geography of your vacation destination as well as how long you plan to stay.  Pack a variety of appropriate clothing so that you’re prepared for any probable weather or temperature changes.  Is there a beach?  Pack flip-flops or sandals.  Mountains?  Try boots or sneakers.  Will you need bug spray or sunscreen?  These are all things to consider.

Keep it organized.  Keep your bags and suitcases organized so you know exactly where to find things.  If possible, try organizing your things by day, need, or location.  Examples: toiletries, day one clothing, and in the car.  If you’d like, take a picture for reference.  Double check that you have everything you need before you set off on your trip.

I hope these tips were helpful for you.  Enjoy your vacation and have fun!