|
|
Travelling Checklist For Parents Of Children With Social
Difficulties |
By:
Ben Sidman |
|
|
Travelling can be a great way to give your family a relaxing
break or some new experiences. Travelling with children with
social difficulties can be very difficult with all the changes
of environment. The following checklist is a quick summary of
all the main points made in this guide and helps you to make the
most of your trip.
Finding places to go
Try to find a place that will compliment you child's behavior
and needs. You can find information on destinations from:
* Travel Guides and Books, * Travel Agents, * Internet Sites
including * National directories of holiday listings (like the
National Organisations) and * Online Searches, * National and
Local Support Groups (either your own or local to potential
holiday destinations)
Choosing a Destination
Consider types of places for both you and your child. Some of
the considerations that most people think about before
travelling are: * language * climate * food * culture * what the
areas have to offer and many more...
Make a note of all the specific needs of your child such as
sensitivity to noises or crowded places and find out about the
types of environments you will encounter. Think about the
logistics, how to get around and what to do in an emergency. Try
contacting the local support group if you can find one.
Preparation
Try and involve your child in researching the area and what it
has to offer. You could also let them decide on places to go.
Find out as much information and find pictures to make the
travelling and arrival as familiar as possible. Make a schedule
of the places you and your child has are interest in and try to
find pictures and information about them. Prepare for difficult
situations such as waiting in queues, flying, travel (e.g.
sickness, toilet stops etc), dietary needs or meal times and
sleeping arrangements. Try to find out this information before
arriving and see if you can avoid them if possible by talking to
tour operators or airlines and arranging special facilities.
Flying on a Plane
If you have to fly you should prepare for the likely issues of
air pressure changes, moving about, turbulence, meals and noise
levels. In some cases, discussing these with airline staff when
booking can help.
Things to Take With You
Amongst the many things to pack, make sure you have all the
medication, medical notes about the condition, language guides
and any special equipment. The medical notes may be useful if
you have arranged special requirements beforehand.
Language problems
Use useful guides to help you with language barriers such as
phrase books and pocket translators. It will help to be able to
speak a few words to give people an explanation if you should
get into any difficulty with your child's condition abroad.
Behavior
Lay down some ground rules at the start and refresh them in your
child's mind again when you arrive. Also try to observe changes
in your child's behavior that may indicate they are in some way
uncomfortable or distressed. This will happen when they
experience discomfort from any of the changes in the
environment. The resultant behavior that your child exhibits may
not be so obvious as they may respond differently and
unpredictably to the new place.
Final Note
Have a wonderful and stress free trip and enjoy yourself and
your child as much as possible.
|
|
Article Source: http://www.friendsofvista.org/articles/article26586.html |
|
|
|
|
|
