Road Trips When Your Child Has Autism

Parents traveling with children frequently hear the popular question, "Are we there yet?" Multiply this by about a thousand and you have a child with autism in your car.

Over the years, we have gotten pretty used to traveling with our son. It is still challenging and frustrating at times to try to prepare for every scenario. But, I have learned a few tricks along the way:

• In the car, we keep a supply of straws with the wrappers on them. Our son can pinch the ends off and blow the wrappers.
• There are toy catalogs or ads and child scissors he can use to cut away.
• Styrofoam cups he can pull the edges off are a favorite. Does it make a mess? Of course. But it keeps him quiet and that's what counts.

For being in a new environment, I like to think I am the queen of ideas:

• If we stay at a hotel for doctor's appointment, an indoor pool is a must.
• Going to the craft store to pick up simple craft packs work great.
• We have made gingerbread houses at Christmas and iced pre-made Valentine cookies. We have carved pumpkins (with the kid-friendly knives) and made turkey hats with feathers.
• Yep, we even dyed and hunted Easter eggs. I have found lots of things to keep us busy.
• My new favorites are craft sets that come with pieces you punch out, peel off, and stick on. Like Christmas ornaments.

The whole family gets into the action and things actually seem bearable.

Read more travel tips and ideas that other families have shared here.