Tips: Visits & Travel

If you are traveling to spend Spring vacation with your family, you may want to prepare your grandchild, in advance, for your visit. It is helpful to provide a visual schedule of activities before you arrive so your grandchild can anticipate the sequence of events you will share. Use drawings, cut out pictures or download them from the internet to help them understand what to expect. Put together a visual calendar of places you plan to go and activities you will share and send it to them before you arrive.

Be sure to include your picture, too.

This visual planner is a great tool for plotting out Spring vacation activities – events can be viewed daily, weekly or monthly and you can add custom images (from your phone/iPad), record sounds, and add videos for modeling.

View the app here

Raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is extremely challenging for parents. Your children will always appreciate your support and reinforcement. Be sure to comment about how much your grandchild has improved since your last visit and compliment their parenting skills throughout the visit.

• Take a picture on your phone before you leave home so if lost, it will be easier to identify your grandchild and the clothing worn that day.
• Pin identification information and your cell phone number to the back of your grandchild’s shirt.
• Check the airport layout and find out how far you will have to go… and plan ahead how to accommodate to get there on time.
• Pack extra medication – pack double of anything important and keep one set in the checked bag and one set in your carry-on bag.
• Check to see what perks you have as a rewards member or cardholder to see if you can get lounge access or any other perks that will help you.
• Download your grandchild’s favorite calming music or games to play while you’re waiting for your flight at the airport… and on the plane.
• Let people know you are out with children with autism so they may be a little more helpful (you can do this subtly by wearing our Grandparent Autism Network caps.

TSA PASSENGER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS are available to families who are traveling with people with special needs. Families that are concerned about the check point process or that need special accommodation can ask a TSA officer or supervisor for a Passenger Support Specialist who will provide on-the spot assistance.

A Passenger Support Specialist can be onsite when you need them by calling ahead of time at 1-855-787-2227. The TSA website has a kids’ section with a cartoon video to help children understand the screening process at the airport. Check to see if the airport provides opportunities for families to rehearse the flight procedures prior to the traveling. If not, plan a visit there with your grandchild, before your departure, to lower possible anxiety.

More TSA info here

A free, lifetime pass – available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability – that provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies. At many sites the Access Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours). The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free).

The Access Pass may be issued to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of any age that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability that severely limits one or more major life activities.

A permanent disability is a permanent physical, mental, or sensory impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

The Access Pass is valid only at participating Federal recreation sites. Visit http://www.recreation.gov for information about Federal recreation sites.

* National Park Service http://www.nps.gov

At many sites the Access Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours).

For more information on how to obtain an Access Pass go to www.nps.gov and search Access Pass

Call ahead to amusement parks and other public places to inquire about special policies for people with disabilities. Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Legoland and other places may offer discounted admission and one or more line passes for a caregiver or aide to accompany the child. A physician’s letter or other documentation about your grandchildren’s condition may be required to qualify.