By Christine Romeo, Abbey Romeo's Mom

Time to pack!

Let’s go!  Sometimes the idea of packing and planning seemed so overwhelming that I'd rather not go.  Let’s face it, depending on your child’s age, you really can feel overwhelmed with packing and planning for two.  Once, I asked Abbey to pack, and when I checked, it was a suitcase full of stuffed animals!

She was having anxiety about not having her animals with her.  And we all know rigidity and tension can come with that.  So, let’s start here.

Have your loved one help with the packing and include them in the process.  I would start with a list of essentials and let them see the list or talk them through it. Maybe they can help you create the list.  Together you can make it fun by engaging them in the process of getting items and packing them.

You want your child to feel empowered in the choices of what you bring, by listening to what they need. Even if it doesn’t make sense to us.

Abbey Romeo and how she travels while on the structrum

For example, Abbey has several stuffed animals that provide comfort and security. She can now describe it as “they make me feel safe”.  So, when she packed the WHOLE suitcase with stuffed animals, I was able to say, “Well, now you can’t go swimming because there’s not room in your suitcase”.   Something as simple as this made her realize that she might have to compromise. 

 

Our new policy is that Abbey can bring one backpack filled with whatever she wants. Once it is full, it’s full. Listen to what they want to bring, as it can provide comfort and security (no matter the age), and find a way to incorporate it.

 

Planning:

One of the things that’s extremely motivating is preferred activities. These are the things that your child just can’t wait to do. Now, I’m not particularly fond of water parks. I would rather be at a swim up bar listening to 80’s music. But Abbey LOVES waterparks!  So, we always include the thing that she wants, no matter what I feel.  The preferred activity can be so motivating.  She looks forward to it, which helps with parts of the trip that are not so fun, like airport delays, waiting for a shuttle bus or not having access to favorite foods.  Having something to look forward to can help provide patience and give them a focus on things other than the drag of travel.

Behind the Scenes on Abbey Romeo and her Airplane trips with her mother, Christine Romeo

Different Time Zones?

Another factor to consider is time zone and sleep routines. First, and I think this should be done even if you are not traveling, get them used to sleeping in other spaces.  If you have a friend who is able to do a sleepover or maybe grandma’s house, this is important to help them not be so rigid.  If you can practice sleeping close by in a safe environment, this is a great way to create a bit more flexibility.   That being said, think of the things they have in their routine and try to recreate them.

For example, Abbey loves a fan and air blowing around her, so I bought a portable travel fan that we take with us.  We also bring nightlights so she can have that security in the new space.  Whatever it is, there are ways to recreate and support the routine.  Time zones are a bit different. 

 

Abbey and I had a big trip in Season 2 of Love on the Spectrum. 11-hour time change? 

So, I split up the adjustment in smaller parts - we flew from LA to Boston which is a three hour time change.  We took early flights to jump-start the adjustment and hopefully fall asleep slightly earlier.  We spent two days with family and it gave her time to adjust.  On the third day, we took another early flight to help adjust to the time in London (6-hour time change).  Early flights with maybe a stop overnight in between can help.

Traveling on an Airplane

Let’s go!  Now you’re on the plane!  This part can be difficult.  Sometimes I upgrade to premium economy if the price is right. That extra room helps a ton. Know what is best for your child’s preference - window or aisle. Abbey loves the window, so we always get that. I’m stuck in the middle seat, but it makes the flight experience better for her, which makes it better for me.

She has her backpack of Abbey essentials which has the stuffies and any other favorite item. A fully charged phone or iPad is great.  Downloading movies and music in advance also helps. The one factor that is the biggest concern is a crying baby. That auditory sound is painful to Abbey.  We bring every kind of headphone with every kind of jack, so we can be prepared. Abbey knows it’s her responsibility to take care of that.  But I will say, we have switched seats with other passengers when Abbey struggled.  Sometimes you can ask passengers and see if that works.

Abbey Romeo from Love on the Spectrum traveling on an airplane

Bring favorite snacks, new books, or any kind of reward that might motivate them. Abbey loves to use my phone, so on flights, I give it to her. She loves looking at my 20,000 photos that I have on there - lol. But it does provide hours of entertainment.

 

I also sometimes call in advance to learn where a local pharmacy is in case we need something, and I might call the hotel with specific requirements. This might include asking them to open a window in our room before we get there, so there is fresh air, which Abbey likes.  I’ve also had Goldfish sent to the hotel before our arrival, so when Abbey gets there, she finds a box with her favorite snack - the connection immediately suggests that “this place is fun!”. (Use Amazon and have it sent in advance).

 

Other things to investigate before arrival are favorite restaurants close by, the nearest urgent care, the grocery store, etc. Knowing where things are in advance makes you more relaxed, and we know this is essential to minimizing stress. If we are relaxed, it helps them to be relaxed, too.

 

Chrsitine and Abbey Romeo explore the best of Anaheim, CA

So yes, there is extra planning, but it can make things much easier. And once you arrive in the Anaheim area, you will have comfort in knowing that many attractions, as well as their staff have been autism certified, so they are there to help you!  Now go have fun! 

 

Plan Your Anaheim Trip

Everyone, regardless of their abilities, can experience the magic of Anaheim and all of Orange County. Plan your trip and find your Autism Certified attractions!