Samaher Saif Al Yazal
An expert and consultant for special education and director of the “Ma’an” Center for Special Education, Osama Madbouly, confirmed that traveling with a child with autism spectrum disorder is in fact a complex and multi -faceted journey, and represents a direct challenge to the familiar routine, faces sensory sensitivities, tests communication skills, and calls for the utmost patience and flexibility of parents. However, every moment of this journey, whether successful or full of obstacles, contributes to refining the child’s skills in adapting, enhancing his ability to understand the world around him, and enriches his sensory and communication dictionary.
Madbouly said that with careful planning, effective communication with the child and his surroundings, and the use of appropriate tools and strategies, what seems impossible to convert to possible. It is a unique opportunity to strengthen family ties, discover new aspects in the child’s personality and capabilities, and contribute to increasing societal awareness of the needs of autistic people, especially since travel is not just a way to move from one place to another, but rather a comprehensive educational experience that opens new horizons, adopts unforgettable memories, and confirms that the world can a place for every individual, regardless of his capabilities, to explore and enjoy it. It is a message of hope and optimism, confirming that life is full of opportunities, and that traveling is an integral part of this life that everyone can benefit from and enjoy its beauty.
Madbouly indicated that the secret of a successful journey lies in pre -planning with love and intelligence, as pre -planning is the basis of a successful journey with the autistic child; Whenever our planning and detailed planning, the less tension on the child, and we are as parents.
He explained that there are several points that must be taken care of, namely: 1- Choosing our charming destination: Let’s search for destinations that are concerned with autistic children, some cities and hotels have become aware of their needs, and provide special facilities, such as calm sensory rooms, areas of quiet play, or even entertainment programs that suit them. Let’s think how sensitive our child to sounds and lights; Quiet and natural places, such as mountains or coastal villages, may be better than loud cities, and do not forget to make sure that there are hospitals or clinics close to our destination in the event of an emergency, and we keep their phone numbers.
2- Creating our child psychologically: fun surprises, no concerns! Social stories are an invaluable treasure; We can make a detailed story that explains every step on the flight: airport, plane, hotel, new places that we will visit. Let’s use real pictures or attractive drawings. We can also watch videos and pictures of the airport, plane, hotel and places that we will visit together; This helps our child to understand what will happen and expect it. Even playing roles at home, such as “security inspection” or “sitting in the plane”, will help him get used to new ideas. A visual assessment of the countdown count can help our child know how much time remains until the time of travel, which reduces his anxiety.
3- Our magic equipment in the handbag: Make sure that we have enough amount of all necessary medications, while keeping medical prescriptions in the handbag. It is indispensable to sedative sensory tools: noise cancellation headphones to reduce high sounds, sensory games that help focus and calm, and a favorite bumper or pillow to feel safe and comfortable. Bring enough snacks and favorite drinks for our child, especially if he has certain sensitivities. They equipped a small box full of its popular activities: small games, coloring books, puzzles, or tablet device loaded with movies or games to entertain the child while waiting. They chose loose and comfortable clothes that did not cause him any inconvenience, with backup clothes in the handbag for any surprises.
Travel investment .. Benefits go beyond mere fun
He said that traveling with an autistic child is more than just leave; It is a real investment in its growth and development, and it enhances the unbelievable family ties, as it carries benefits from it: 1- Our child becomes more flexible and able to adapt: every challenge our child overcomes, and every new situation that he deals with successfully, contributes to building his flexibility and his ability to adapt to change in the future. This is an invaluable life skill! Travel breaks the routine in a way that may be useful, as it exposes the child to situations that he does not face in his daily life, which encourages him to develop new strategies to deal with the unknown.
2- His social skills glow! Exposure to new people and different environments can provide natural opportunities to develop social skills. The child may have to use new gestures or words to express his needs, and we, as parents, can take advantage of these opportunities to teach the child how to seek help, or how to express his feelings in different contexts.
3- Unforgettable family memories: a real treasure! Common experiences, whether enjoyable or full of challenges, create strong and interconnected memories for the entire family. These memories are an integral part of the family’s history and story. Celebrating small successes while traveling, such as the child’s capacity to sit quietly in a new restaurant, or enjoy a visit to a place that was not expected, enhances positive family ties.
