Traveling with children with autism can be a unique and sometimes challenging experience, as it often involves navigating a world full of sensory overload, unpredictable situations, and new routines. However, it can also be a wonderful opportunity for growth and learning, both for the child and for the parents. The key lies in preparation, understanding the child’s needs, and being adaptable along the way. My child’s journey with travel started when she was a toddler. Here are few of my personal strategies and experiences that helped her to grow and could be helpful for families to take up travel as a learning experience for their children.
1. Understanding the Sensory Impact of Travel
Travel exposes children to sensory stimuli ranging from sounds and lights, crowds, smell, and touch, as well as motion inside the vehicle. People with autism develop anxiety and become overwhelmed by these stimuli. Children with autism have their varying sensory thresholds in relation to hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity. Sensory differences should be recognized early enough to help prepare the child.
For example, my child struggled with the noise at airports as well as the motion and speed of the aircraft. Over time, we worked on desensitizing these experiences. I started by gradually introducing her to environments that simulate these conditions. Shorter car rides or quieter airports in the early stages helped her build resilience. I also paid attention to her vestibular (balance) and proprioceptive (awareness of body position) needs, which can often affect a child’s comfort during travel. I have found that often she travels (almost once in six months), she is better to cope up with the motion and sound of the aircraft from her past memory.
2. The Early Years: Preparing with a Pre-Travel Book
When my daughter was young, traveling wasn’t just about reaching a destination; it was about helping her prepare for the unpredictability that comes with it. One of the first things I did was every time creating a pre-travel book. It wasn’t just a simple scrapbook—it was a tool to help her understand what to expect. I included pictures of the places we would go, the modes of transport we would take, and even the airport we would be flying from. The pictures were big and the words minimal, which helped her process the information better.
As she got older, I added more complex details: the time and date of departure, the names of the airports, how long we would be traveling, and the waiting times we would face. She loved this book—it gave her a sense of control over the unknown. Before each trip, I would go over the book with her, and we would check off the steps as we went along. Even when we reached our destination, we would revisit the book and talk about what we had done. This preparation made her feel more comfortable with the new experiences and less anxious about the changes in routine.
3. Using Visuals to Create Positive Memories
During our travels, I took many pictures to document the journey. Later, I created a “memory book” that reflected the positive experiences we had. These books were not just souvenirs; they served as tools for recall, conversation, and emotional processing.
Research on social stories suggests that reviewing events through pictures and narratives can help children with autism process their experiences, making sense of them in a structured and supportive way. By looking at the pictures and talking about the activities we enjoyed, we could reinforce positive feelings about travel and increase her ability to engage in similar experiences in the future.
4. Gradual Exposure to Challenges:
Waiting in Lines and Security Checks
Travel often involves situations that are difficult for children with autism to navigate—waiting in long lines, dealing with security checks, and managing flight delays. Rather than avoiding these challenges, I decided to expose my child to them in a gradual and controlled manner.
When we first began traveling, I avoided taking any “special treatment” like skipping lines, as I wanted my child to understand the concept of waiting. We practiced by walking around the airport and then returning to show her that her dad was still in the queue. Slowly, she learned that waiting was part of the process. I also prepared her for the security checks by showing her pictures of the scanner and explaining the process step by step. This approach, which is rooted in desensitization techniques, helped her feel more comfortable during security procedures.
For children with autism, these small, consistent efforts of preparation can make a world of difference in how they navigate such experiences.
There was one instance when the security personnel at the airport noticed that she was a special needs child. They offered to let me accompany her through the process, but I smiled and said, “She would be fine, thank you.” I also used to prepare the timing such a way so that her dad can complete the security check and wait on the other side to take her along. Today when she confidently walks through the scanner and emerge on the other side, looking back, I’m proud of the effort we put into these moments of preparation. It’s these small, everyday victories that contribute to long-term growth.
5. Building Resilience: Embracing Unpredictability
Travel is never predictable. Schedules get interrupted, plans alter, and we find ourselves navigating unfamiliar places; these are things that happen as part of any journey. How much preparation has to be made for the expected, but learning to handle life’s unpredictability is equally necessary.
I forced my child time and again, over the years, to become accustomed to mode changes or change airports. This idea of gradually building executive functioning skills, like decision-making and problem-solving, is crucial for helping children with autism thrive in unpredictable environments.
6. Empathy and Understanding from Others
While preparing our children for traveling is important, it is also important to remember that the world around us might not always understand. Sometimes the airport staff and fellow travelers would not be sensitive to our child’s needs. It is very harsh, but it is what we have to face.
It worked for me personally: the more proactive I was in preparing my child and making her needs clear, the better chance I had of finding those people who are supportive along the way. The airline crew to security personnel would gauge the people around us about their empathy levels and advocate as necessary. In this regard, especially for the children with autism, there are such unique requirements for more preparation and communication in managing them smoothly.
However, one must not forget that not every individual will prove to be understanding, and it is completely acceptable to ensure your child is shielded from discomforting stress. This world consists of diverse personalities, some being supportive, some not caring, and others whom one might not agree with. What counts is how we want to react and what is of importance in our own journey of life.
Read more – Planning with Care: Tips for an Enriching Autism-Friendly Vacation
7. Why We Don’t Avoid the Uncomfortable
Many families avoid traveling because they are too afraid of what might happen; they either go on the same routes or skip family vacations entirely. They do not want to face the uncertainty and challenges involved in traveling with autism. I understand that, but I’ve also learned that avoiding discomfort completely means missing some valuable learning moments. Yes, sometimes we had unempathetic looks, or things didn’t go as planned. But this world is made up of many different kinds of people—proactive and supportive, indifferent, or just plain unaware. It’s how we react to such challenges that count.
Conclusion
For me, traveling is no longer just about reaching a destination; it’s about the journey, growth, and learning along the way. Each child with autism is unique, and their travel challenges may differ. I believe that, with the right preparation, rooted in patience, understanding, and empathy, every child can benefit from experiencing new environments, no matter where they are on the spectrum. Travel doesn’t have to be a daunting experience; with proper planning, it can become a powerful tool for learning and personal growth.
Get in touch with Akshadhaa Assisted Living to explore a nurturing space for autistic individuals.
The picture of our daughter during our travels
Sumana Dutta 1st
Founder Akshadhaa Foundation || Fulbright
Scholar DAI 2024 || Goldman Sachs 10K Women ||
All India Women Achiever Award 2022 || Masters in
Special Education University of Northampton || RCI
Certified Autism Consultant
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