It's important to plan the trip well in advance, including transportation, accommodations, and activities. This can help to reduce anxiety and ensure that all necessary accommodations are in place. It goes without saying, however, that even the most perfectly planned trip can sometimes go sideways in one way or another, so planning points of rest and routine as a fall back to not being able to engage in desired activities can really save you from the frustrations of things not going to plan. 

If it is possible to do so, it's important to communicate openly and clearly with your neurodivergent individual about the trip to the extent that they can best understand. This should iclude topics on itinerary, expectations, and any changes or unexpected events that may arise. In doing this, you might be surprised at how much more effectively you can plan your trip for the best possible outcome for you and your loved one.

In many cases at varying degrees,  individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities often take comfort in routine and sameness, even if they are open to trying new things and seeing new sights. Wherever your individual is on these, its good to always bring familiar items from home, such as a favorite toy or blanket that can provide a sense of comfort and familiarity for the individual. Items like these can be useful in dealing with potentially negative responses to new sights, sounds or other stimuli. In contrast, having these items can make positive responses to new experiences all the better. 

Climate change is making for way hotter summers, way colder winters and despite how all those influencers on instagram make it seem, all tourist spots worth visiting get pretty crowded. If the individual has sensory sensitivities, be sure to provide them with the right accommodations such as noise-cancelling headphones, shades, weighted blankets and LOTS of extra clothes.

Despite the natural drive to do as much as possible to get the most bang for your buck and, thus, the most out of your travels, It's important to allow for breaks and downtime throughout the trip to prevent overload and burnout on you and your individual. "Vacate" is the root word for "vacation" which means that vacating your planned course of things to do every now and again is perfectly acceptable. Furthermore, its important to just stop every now and again to appreciate where you are and who you are with even if you aren't actively checking off items on your bucket list.

Using visual aids, such as discriptive objects, drawings or picture cards, can help the individual understand the itinerary and get a better idea of what to expect. You can also use these as fun callbacks when the time for the planned activity draws near. 

If the individual is on medication or supplements, be sure to bring them along in a safe and accessible place. Keeping your belongings whole and safe when traveling can be unpredicatible, especially when flying as well documented on social media videos. Keeping vital belongings like medication or supplements in water, crush and puncture resistant containers is in your best interest. 

You may be set on trying that restaurant you heard so much about on TikTok the day you reach your destination but what if your individual has trouble adjusting to the new environment right away? What if You reserved two non-refundable spots on a shallow-water tubing excurison but poor air quality from distant wildfires is making it so your individual has behaviors they would'nt otherwise have? Be prepared to adjust planned itineraries if necessary and remain flexible in order to accommodate the individual's needs. It's best to avoid locking yourself into planned, pre-paid, inflexible commitments. 

Be prepared for emergencies by bringing any necessary medical supplies or equipment, and familiarize yourself with local urgent care and hospital facilities. It's never too much to bring along a travel firstaid kit, just be certain to verify the expiration date of its contents; the last thing you need are ineffective items in your kit when you need them most. If traveling abroad, its important to familiarize yourself with how to call for and request emergency support if faced with a more dire situation within the country you're visiting.

Consider reaching out to support groups or organizations that specialize in travel for neurodivergent individuals, and seek advice or guidance as needed. Our Caregiver Empowerment Program is a wonderful resource for this with both parents and experienced, certified caretakers you can connect with for advice and insights on best practices. You can learn more about it here.