Why we travel.

Alex just returned from a trip to England, and I wanted to share some pictures on my blog. And what a better time to discuss what travel means to our family. Travel is important to all families. It gives us a chance to connect with one another, without the distractions of work or school. For a family that is living with autism, travel couldn't be more important. Sure, there are some major challenges, but with it are such sweet rewards.

Buckingham Palace.

Alex captured so much of London in this shot. The London Eye ferris wheel and classic architecture to the left, Big Ben, a double decker bus, and a collection of British flags straight ahead.

We never let our kids diagnosis stop us from going out and exploring things. Even from a very early age, we tried to get out there and expose the kids to different things. Sometimes, it was just a quick weekend trip to San Diego, or Palm Dessert. Other times, it has required 5 hour flights across the country, then a 4 day cruise. Always fun to be on a plane for 5 hours with a 1 year old, right?

As the kids began to display signs of autism, we did have to adjust a bit. Let's face it, there are stares from other passengers when your kid is hand flapping, rocking, or doing whatever he does to cope with the world around him. So traveling involves some thick skin.

And it's so important for us to plan. Every little detail is thought out. If we are flying, is it a non-stop? Are our seats together? Can we sit toward the front of the plane? Noah get's anxious waiting his turn to exit the plane. And while we are on the subject, he can get nervous getting on the plane. Is there pre-boarding? How about TSA procedures? We try to pick early flights, hoping to avoid some of the crowds. What about flights, non-stop, direct, change of planes? Let's talk gear. Each kid get's their own backpack, filled with things to keep them occupied and fed. Snacks, books, ipads, portable dvd players, sticker books. The list seems long, but it ensures that the kids stay occupied, and aren't a nuisance to other passengers.

So you are probably saying to yourself that you do all of this with your kids too. You pack carefully, consider their needs. Of course, these are the things that every parent should do. But preparing a child with autism has a totally different meaning. You have to consider their needs carefully. I guess what may set us apart, is the fact that my kids can potentially have a huge meltdown. As in meltdowns to end all meltdowns. I don't mean the "I want this toy and if you don't give it to me, I will scream and cry" type of meltdown that a toddler might have. I mean cries as if in pain, rocking back and forth, etc. Thank God we are past all that now. And I really do believe that our journeys have contributed to our kids moving past that. 

Pub established in 1549.

So back to preparing for a trip. Social stories are always used. I work on pictures and stories to tell the kids what they can expect. I try to be as detailed as possible. Hotels, different museums, what food will we eat, etc. And I try to include as many photos as possible. My kids are visual learners. 

With every journey, both big and small, we always try to push a little more each time. In the early years, we tried to keep things short and sweet. If we were at Disney World, we were only in the park for a few hours in the morning. We probably spent more time unwinding at the hotel, than at the theme park. Waste of money, you say? Not in our eyes. We built in learning experiences. At EPCOT, we did the passport around the world, where Nik (Noah was not verbal enough) went around the different countries to get his passport stamped, making eye contact and saying hello. He even learned how to say hello in Japanese. My kid, who was struggling to speak at that time, said hello. Sure, he could have said hello to someone at home. But not with the added stimuli of a crowded theme park, while learning to patiently wait his turn. Money well spent.

Another old pub, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Charles Dickens used to hang out here.

I can recall Nik and Noah's teachers back in California, saying they could tell that we take our kids out into the world. Noah could barely talk, but told his para about a pelican that he saw on his cruise. They could talk about things that they saw in the Smithsonian. It's one thing to read about something, but to see something first hand, really hits home with my kids. And they are little sponges in museums, absorbing every little detail. Years later, and the kids can recall something that we saw in the Field Museum. Sue the dinosaur was a big hit with them. 

Shakespeare's Globe Theater

Tower of London

Traitor's Gate.

Life would be so much easier if we didn't go anywhere. But it would be boring. Life would be easier if we just continued to go to Disney vacations. Disney is safe. Our kids know it so well. They have fun. They know what to expect. We love Disney vacations. And we would be quite content just continuing to go to theme parks. But if we continue to do that, there is limited opportunity for growth. How can we continue to push for progress, if we don't try to move outside of our comfort zone? The answer is simply this. We must take the road less traveled at times. The road where our kids will have to learn how to maneuver unknown surroundings, cope with different cultures, explore the and unfamiliar. In other words, it's time to move away from the mouse and see the rest of the world.

Ok, can you tell that I love Tower of London?

Oh, ok, maybe one more. 

Candy store!

Fish, chips, and mushy peas.

Other than the Bahamas, we haven't left the country with the boys. That is the next big test for us. We are fortunate that Alex is our guinea pig. He travels for work, and paves the way for us. His experience in New York City was a big help in us preparing the kids for our trip there. I have no doubt that Alex's latest trip to England, will some day pave the way for us again. Sure, it scares me a little to go so far away from home with our kids. Especially when we will have to contend with differing diets, time zones, and cultural differences. But I know our boys will rise to the occasion. They always do. And there will always be a Mc Donald's.