I know some of our friends look at us strangely when we tell them we’re headed on ANOTHER trip. Pre-pandemic, I would estimate that we traveled somewhere monthly. A lot of those are smaller/more statewide trips to the beach, mountains, or visiting family.. but there are a few bigger trips thrown in there also. We LOVE to travel. It’s all I think about, if I’m being totally honest. My husband jokes that I’m already planning our next trip before we’ve even finished the one that we are on! #accurate
So why is travel important to us? For starters, it’s something that we are both passionate about. Pre-kids, we ventured all over the continental US.. but also to Alaska, Hawaii, the Carribbean, and Italy. We love trying new things.. and exploring new places!
After receiving Merritt’s diagnosis, we realized just how IMPORTANT travel would be for him. For a kid on the Autism Spectrum, dealing with people (and society in general) is not high on his list of priorities. He could care less what anyone thinks of him and is un-ashamedly himself at all times. I envy this about him.. as I am the TOTAL opposite. I worry too much about what others think.. and have been known to put their needs above my own.
With that self- inclusion comes the inability to function “normally” in society.. and also the want for a predictable schedule that doesn’t vary at all. So as parents, who want to see him thrive outside of his bubble, we push the limits. Constantly. We have him try new foods, we take him to new places that have new experiences, and we allow him to step out of his comfort zone. Are some things a constant?! Absolutely. We wouldn’t dare take away that predictability that helps him manage day to day.. but we do this while also adding in some new elements to change things up. In therapy, we would refer to this as preferred and non-preferred task.
As a teenager, it’s hard to tell what options will be available for Merritt. Will he be able to go to college? Will he need to live in a garage apartment at home? How self-sustaining will he be?! I long to know these answers NOW… but I know that time will tell and that God has an intended plan for this kid of ours.
Since we cant predict what the future holds, we do everything we can now to prepare him for life. He’ll always be academically gifted.. as he retains A LOT of information easily. But talking to people in public, having interactions, ordering food, paying for items, riding public transportation, and maintaining his composure in public are the ultimate goals at hand. These are the things that he will likely struggle with forever. So we travel! Because those experiences are molding him into a stronger and more confident person. And well, because it’s just really fun to explore also!
If you have a child on the Autism Spectrum, I encourage you to do the same! Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. You may have a child that reacts poorly in public.. but there’s a strong chance that you will never see those people again! And if anything, it may open their eyes to what a family of a child on the spectrum deals with. Be adventurous.. and have fun doing it!
travelingonthespectrum.com 