Six Tips for Traveling with an Autistic Child

Tip: "Prior to leaving, the key is to simulate the vacation as closely as possible in as many ways as possible," says Daniel Openden, clinical services director of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center in Phoenix. "Parents can show their children pictures or movies of the location or search the Internet together. Teach your child what to expect before you go." Kim Wolf, parent of 11-year-old Jack, prepares a picture book about the trip two weeks in advance. "We include where we are going, who is going, what we are going to do. We also make a calendar so we can count down the days until the trip." Also, once a destination is established, it helps to return to the same vacation spot or to videotape family trips and replay them over the course of the year.

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