| Travelling can be a great way to give your family a | | | | toilet stops etc), dietary needs or meal times and |
| relaxing break or some new experiences. Travelling | | | | sleeping arrangements. Try to find out this information |
| with children with social difficulties can be very difficult | | | | before arriving and see if you can avoid them if |
| with all the changes of environment. The following | | | | possible by talking to tour operators or airlines and |
| checklist is a quick summary of all the main points | | | | arranging special facilities. |
| made in this guide and helps you to make the most of | | | | Flying on a Plane |
| your trip. | | | | If you have to fly you should prepare for the likely |
| Finding places to go | | | | issues of air pressure changes, moving about, |
| Try to find a place that will compliment you child's | | | | turbulence, meals and noise levels. In some cases, |
| behavior and needs. You can find information on | | | | discussing these with airline staff when booking can |
| destinations from:o Travel Guides and Books,o Travel | | | | help. |
| Agents,o Internet Sites includingo National directories of | | | | Things to Take With You |
| holiday listings (like the National Organisations) ando | | | | Amongst the many things to pack, make sure you |
| Online Searches,o National and Local Support Groups | | | | have all the medication, medical notes about the |
| (either your own or local to potential holiday | | | | condition, language guides and any special equipment. |
| destinations) | | | | The medical notes may be useful if you have |
| Choosing a Destination | | | | arranged special requirements beforehand. |
| Consider types of places for both you and your child. | | | | Language problems |
| Some of the considerations that most people think | | | | Use useful guides to help you with language barriers |
| about before travelling are:o languageo climateo foodo | | | | such as phrase books and pocket translators. It will |
| cultureo what the areas have to offer and many | | | | help to be able to speak a few words to give people |
| more... | | | | an explanation if you should get into any difficulty with |
| Make a note of all the specific needs of your child | | | | your child's condition abroad. |
| such as sensitivity to noises or crowded places and | | | | Behavior |
| find out about the types of environments you will | | | | Lay down some ground rules at the start and refresh |
| encounter. Think about the logistics, how to get around | | | | them in your child's mind again when you arrive. Also |
| and what to do in an emergency. Try contacting the | | | | try to observe changes in your child's behavior that |
| local support group if you can find one. | | | | may indicate they are in some way uncomfortable or |
| Preparation | | | | distressed. This will happen when they experience |
| Try and involve your child in researching the area and | | | | discomfort from any of the changes in the |
| what it has to offer. You could also let them decide on | | | | environment. The resultant behavior that your child |
| places to go. Find out as much information and find | | | | exhibits may not be so obvious as they may respond |
| pictures to make the travelling and arrival as familiar as | | | | differently and unpredictably to the new place. |
| possible. Make a schedule of the places you and your | | | | Final Note |
| child has are interest in and try to find pictures and | | | | Have a wonderful and stress free trip and enjoy |
| information about them. Prepare for difficult situations | | | | yourself and your child as much as possible.. |
| such as waiting in queues, flying, travel (e.g. sickness, | | | | |