{"id":8082,"date":"2019-10-17T16:23:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-17T20:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amothersrandomthoughts.com\/?p=8082"},"modified":"2019-10-17T16:28:49","modified_gmt":"2019-10-17T20:28:49","slug":"autism-tips-for-navigating-an-excursion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amothersrandomthoughts.com\/autism-tips-for-navigating-an-excursion\/","title":{"rendered":"Autism Tips for Navigating a Day Out"},"content":{"rendered":"
I recently was contacted by an autism mom who had some questions about how to deal with an upcoming adventure. She was planning on taking her children on a day outing, and she wanted my opinion on how to handle it or if she should do it at all. Of course, I said yes. She should go. In fact, she should go as much as she can possibly handle. Maybe even go out every single day. Because the benefits of going out far outweigh the hassle and the meltdowns.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I know as an autism mom you are tired beyond belief. Furthermore, I know that there are days you can barely think straight. I have been there (and truthfully, I still have days like that), but when Jack-Jack was little, we didn’t have the option of staying home. When Jack-Jack was two, I had children ages 4, 13, 16, and 18. My older children wanted and needed to be outside the house. Therefore, we had plenty of day trips, vacations and dinners out. <\/span><\/p>\n No matter how difficult things became we still walked out the door on a regular basis. Now, I want you to understand that if I had 10 things on the calendar for the week, I might only handle 6, and I delegated the other ones. Weekly, I sent my 5 children to the grocery store to give myself a break. You might not have the luxury, but I implore you to find a “mother’s helper” to assist you in venturing outside. Maybe a teen can help you with your other children while you focus on your child with autism. <\/span><\/p>\n Whatever you can do today to help you gain a level of freedom and sanity down the road is worth it. And one of the main ways to do that is to go out often and with a plan in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When I tell you the benefits of going out far outweigh the hassle, I know firsthand the hassle and the benefits. Here are just a few reasons to plan those excursions with your child with autism:<\/span><\/p>\n You are going to get invited to places. You do not want to feel like a prisoner trapped at home. I know too many families that rarely go out because it is hard. When you can master one day out, then you can plan short trips of 2-3 days. You will begin to feel like you have some freedom and are not trapped in your own little world.<\/span><\/p>\n Getting out opens up a whole new world ranging from the park<\/a>, library, grocery store and more. Believe me, when I tell you I could not make a trip to the grocery store without a meltdown and now they are second nature. After mastering “normal” excursions, travel becomes possible. <\/span><\/p>\n Jack-Jack never would have “found” his happy place which happens to be Walt Disney World if we hadn’t traveled, but more importantly, he would not have learned as much at home if we had not continued to leave the house often and consistently.<\/span><\/p>\n You begin to learn what your child likes and doesn’t like. Furthermore, getting out often allows them to make choices. For example: Selecting books at the library, playing with an exhibit at the science center, selecting their favorite colors at the clothing store.<\/span><\/p>\n Learning to wait in the check-out line teaches children a whole lot about the world around them, but it also teaches patience. And ironically, I didn’t learn this until I had Jack-Jack. I was always the impatient person in line. After having Jack-Jack, I learned that an extra 3 minutes isn’t going to matter, and your child will learn that too.<\/span><\/p>\n Learning to respect other people. When leaving the house, your child has the opportunity to see strangers next to them and sees how other people interact with each other. Maybe your child will see a mom lose her temper with her child. Maybe she will see a child in a wheelchair. Being exposed to other people helps teach respect for others.<\/span><\/p>\n Interaction with a sales clerk or museum staff helps communication skills. Even if they are not talking with the staff themselves, your child will witness the communication that happens and over time will learn that there is a familiar pattern to visiting the library (selecting books, checking out the books, interaction with the staff, leaving the library with the books), visiting a museum, grocery shopping, or buying new shoes.<\/span><\/p>\nPlan Trips Outside the House Often With Your Child with Autism<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Reason to Get Out of the House as Much as Possible:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Freedom: <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
New Opportunities: <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Learning New Information: <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Making Choices: <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Patience: <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Respect for Others: <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Communication Skills: <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Travel: <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n