Children with autism and transportation. What can help your child or an adult with autism cope with travel? Think of traveling to school with a taxi bus or to work with public transport. Read Lienke’s tips to make the turmoil and tension during travel more bearable.

Autism and public transport travel

Delays, disruptions, outages, adjusted timetables… For the average Dutch person, travelling by public transport is sometimes frustrating enough. For children and adults with autism, this problem is many times greater. Autism is an invisible disability, but has a lot of influence on daily functioning and life. Travelling with, for example; Public transport is not as obvious to someone with autism as we think.

Unexpected events during travel

Planning a trip and buying a ticket generally does not bring so many problems. If everything goes according to plan, there is nothing to worry about. But then…
In the event of a malfunction or delay, panic can break out in someone with autism. Planning is falling apart, structure is falling away and there is uncertainty. The search for an alternative and/or asking for help has often become more difficult, because people have become overstimulated.

Extra incentives in public transport

The crowds in public transport cause excessive stimuli, or overstimulation. As a result, the journey for someone with autism is experienced more intensely. Exuberantly smiling and (loudly) talking and/or talking on the phone often cause enough frustration and irritation for the average traveler, but the senses of someone with autism become overstimulated all the faster. And addressing someone about their behavior or just talking to a stranger is a ‘no go’ for someone with autism. So it can be a big stumbling block for someone with autism to travel by public transport.

Stressful

Children with autism often travel under the supervision of a parent and/or caregiver, but for many children the hectic crowds with public transport are unclear, exhausting and stressful. Children with autism are generally sensitive to touch on the skin. Having to stand or sit next to a stranger on the bus, train, tram or metro can therefore be cause for panic.

If the situation allows, it is good to leave the child seated during such a trip. Preferably at the window so that he / she can concentrate. In a bus, tram or metro, for example, you could sit in the front of the driver and as a parent / caregiver / supervisor you sit next to the child, so that he feels “safe” from all the crowds (stimuli) around him / her. Knowing this, you understand that it is not so strange that people and children with autism avoid using public transport as much as possible. After all, you want to arrive at your final destination relaxed and relaxed. The alternative can be: travelling under supervision (buddy), car or taxi.

10 tips for people with autism in transport

1-Make sure you have headphones or earphones with music (so you won’t be bothered by the loud noises).
2-let the person with autism choose where he or she can take the best place, for example at the window or with his or her back to others;
3-make an explanation card so that when a bystander wants to offer help, just read what the person with autism needs at that moment
4-Use a ChewigeM Flip emotion bracelet to better indicate how the person with autism is feeling.
5-bring something to fidget
6-er there are also APPS for your mobile phone, to make transport as pleasant and clear as possible.
7-do not let the person with autism sit next to strange people, this can cause extra stress
8-allow when the person with autism wants to put on his or her hood, in order to exclude stimuli
9-Make sure the person with autism can always reach someone!
10-make a clear step-by-step plan in advance about the expected moments during the trip

Fidget Toys support people with autism when travelling

In addition to the above tips, you can certainly also support children and adults while traveling by using Fidget Toys. Check out our favorites here.

Simple Dimple Fidget

Simple Dimpl is a fidget keychain from Fat Brain Toys and is a great fidget toy for young and old. One touch and your fingers can’t stop pushing, poking and popping! The Simpl Dimpl is available in four brilliant colour combinations. Fidgeting with this fidget is simple and tempting. The Simple Dimpl encourages tactile stimulation. Ideal for tactile stimulus seekers. Playing and fidgeting with this fidget provides calmness and better focus. Can you still resist this friemel toy? With the mini carabiner clip you can easily attach your chip toy to keys, wallet or backpack. I always have the simpl dimpl hanging on my backpack and you can then inconspicuously fidget in your pocket, for example!

Fidget cube

The fidget cube is the most popular fidget toy for young people and adults. It is handy, trendy and effective!
This friemelkubus has a fidgeting effect on each side. A side with a ball that you can roll, a side with a click button, a side with radars to turn, a side with a fingerprint that feels smooth for tactile stimuli. I always have these in my backpack or pocket and I can fidget wonderfully!

Stress controller

With this fun Stress Controller (Fidget Pad) you will never be finished! Wobble, click, press or scroll. You can fully enjoy yourself on this ultimate Stress Controller. Ideal for those who want to fidget while learning or listening in class/work.

Tangle palm classic

The Palm Tangle is twice the size of the junior classic tangle. With this learning tool, children can process stimuli while fidgeting and concentrate better. Or as a distraction during an exciting trip!

Worry Stones

These chewigem care stones are derived from a mother’s jewelry. Many mothers found the 3 large flat stones too big. Nevertheless, the texture of these stones was experienced as very pleasant. As a result, Chewigem created this friemelsteen set. The set of worry stones consists of 3 different colors of care stones that fit nicely in the palm and pocket. And is also ideal fidgeting material to relax for young people and adults. I myself have these chewigem worry stones and have them in my pocket as standard! You can even chew it and it has a blissfully thin texture! An advantage of this fidget is that it does not make any noise and does not disturb anyone!

Chewigem hand fidget

The hand fidget is a chewing and fidgeting product from Chewigem. This fidget fits nicely in the palm of the hand and challenges to fidget and is 100% safe to chew. Use Chewigem’s fidget in class, while learning, or on the go. I have these together with the chewigem strap on my backpack and therefore always at hand!

Muffik Fidget Keychain

The sensory Puzzle Mats are not only wonderful to explore tactilely with hands and feet, but are also a nice fidget. Muffik has designed mini puzzle mats to attach to a keychain or to your backpack or to a chain cord.

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