Top Tips for Traveling with an Autistic Child: How to Manage Anxiety and Enjoy the Holiday

 Planning a holiday with children can feel overwhelming, but for parents of an autistic child, those nerves can sometimes keep us from traveling at all. I’ve been there. I haven’t visited my own mum, who lives five hours away, because I worry about how my son will handle the long journey, the new environment, and the change in routine. While I’d love for my child to have special time with his grandma, my concerns often stop me from making the trip.

If you’re like me, wondering how your child might cope and whether the holiday will actually be enjoyable, I hope these tips can help. Here are some ways I’m planning for that eventual visit—and hopefully, they’ll help you feel more prepared for your next family trip too.

1. Identify What’s Causing Your Anxiety

For me, one of the biggest concerns about taking my son on a five-hour trip to see my mum is the fear of overstimulation and sensory overload. It’s difficult to know how he’ll respond to such a long drive, a new place, and unfamiliar people and routines. If your concerns are similar, recognising the specific things you’re anxious about can help you tackle them one by one.

2. Plan for Sensory Needs on the Road

Long journeys can be especially challenging, so prepare with sensory tools that might comfort your child. For my son, items like his favorite toy (bear!), ipad, noise-canceling headphones, and maybe a weighted blanket make a difference. For any parent of an autistic child, it’s essential to create a travel bag filled with calming items that can make a journey or new environment more manageable. If your child finds comfort in familiar sensory items, these can be lifesavers on a long trip.

3. Use Visual Schedules to Reduce Anxiety

For our upcoming trip, I’ve been thinking of using a visual schedule to prepare my son. Having a plan that shows each step of the trip—like the car journey, the arrival, and seeing his grandma—could help ease some of his anxiety. Creating a visual schedule that highlights every part of the day can make new experiences seem less daunting.

4. Bring Familiar Comforts for a Sense of Home

Going somewhere new can be unsettling for many autistic children, so bringing familiar items from home can help. This could be his usual bedtime blanket, some toys, or even his favorite snacks. I plan to pack as many of these comforting items as possible to make our destination feel a bit more like home.

Suggestion: If staying somewhere unfamiliar, try to maintain small routines that make your child feel secure, such as reading a favorite book before bed or sticking to their regular mealtime.

5. Schedule Plenty of Downtime

On our trip, I’m planning to have lots of time just for relaxing or unwinding in a quiet space. Over-scheduling or trying to do too much in one day can lead to sensory overload. With a slower pace, I hope we’ll both enjoy the holiday more.

6. Remember That It’s Okay to Change Plans

Lastly, I’m reminding myself that it’s okay to adapt. If my son isn’t coping well or feels overstimulated, we’ll skip activities or even come back another day if needed. The goal is to make the holiday experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible, both for my son and myself.

Feeling anxious about taking an autistic child on holiday is completely normal. If, like me, you’ve been putting off trips to see loved ones, know that you’re not alone, and that there are ways to make travel more manageable. With thoughtful planning and plenty of patience, holidays can become a cherished family experience rather than a source of stress.

Have you taken a trip with your autistic child? I’d love to hear your tips or stories in the comments—let’s support each other in making travel a joyful experience!