Travelling – Visuals and Social Stories to support your travels
Navigating Travel with Ease: A Guide for Families Using Social Stories and Visuals
Traveling can be an exciting yet challenging experience, particularly for families with children who have additional needs. For those living in rural or remote areas, traveling is often essential to access vital services, visit family, or enjoy a vacation. The unpredictability of new environments and routines can be overwhelming for children with disabilities. This is where Social Stories come in as invaluable tools to prepare children for the changes and experiences they will encounter during travel.
We have been fortunate to travel all over Queensland (and more planned!) as well as the world when we lived overseas. Travelling with kids is not for the faint hearted BUT it is rewarding and amazing with some planning!
Side note to the visuals, I highly recommend the Life Admin Hacks book and their chapters on lists. I have used checklists for packing and it is life changing!
Why Social Stories Are Effective for Travel
Social Stories are personalized narratives that describe situations, skills, or concepts in simple, understandable terms. They help children know what to expect, reduce anxiety, and teach appropriate behavior in various settings. For travel, Social Stories can:
- Provide Predictability: Outline what will happen during the journey, from packing to boarding a plane or car ride, helping children feel more in control. Pick key phrases you used e.g. hold hands in the airport and reinforce these throughout the trip.
- Reduce Anxiety: Familiarize children with the steps involved in travel to alleviate fears of the unknown.
- Teach Social Norms: Explain expected behavior in different travel environments, such as staying seated during a flight or using headphones when watching a movie. We often talked about the ‘serious part’ of the airport e.g. security and customs so I can ensure the kids will ‘pull it together for that 5-15 minutes.
- Prepare for Sensory Experiences: Prepare children for sensory experiences like the noise of an airplane or the feel of a seatbelt. You can watch YouTube videos or watch planes taking off or landing as help to prepare.
Preparing for the Journey: Tips and Resources
Here are practical tips and resources to help you use Social Stories effectively and make travel smoother and more enjoyable for your family:
1. Creating a Travel Social Story
Why We Love It:
Crafting a personalized Social Story tailored to your child’s specific travel situation is a powerful way to prepare them. The story should outline the sequence of events from start to finish, including packing, the mode of transport, and the destination. Be sure to include sensory experiences your child might encounter, such as loud sounds or crowded spaces. Use simple language and plenty of visuals to make the story engaging and relatable.
Who’s It Best For:
Parents, therapists, teachers, and support workers.
Cost:
Free! Create your own using your child’s favorite images and simple text.
Where to Get It:
Create these stories at home using everyday materials or a digital tool that allows you to incorporate photos, text, and audio.
2. “My First Plane Trip” Social Story by Carol Gray
Why We Love It:
This ready-made Social Story by Carol Gray provides a structured and reassuring way to introduce children to the concept of flying. It covers everything from checking in at the airport to taking off and landing, with clear explanations of what to expect. The story is designed to reduce anxiety and help children understand the steps involved in air travel.
Who’s It Best For:
Parents and therapists, especially for children who are traveling by plane for the first time.
Cost:
Approximately $15.
Where to Get It:
My First Plane Trip by Carol Gray
Some social stories and visuals we have used in our family for travelling:
This is some of the visuals we used to support our kids when we moved countries.
I also then had a paper version I would do with the day plan e.g. AM and PM – this wasn’t flash it was just scribbled drawings with the day separated, and included any important info e.g. if I was gone for the morning/ an appointment etc.
Tips for Using Social Stories in Travel
- Start Early: Introduce the Social Story several days or weeks before the trip to give your child time to become familiar with it.
- Read Regularly: Incorporate reading the Social Story into your daily routine leading up to the trip. Repetition helps reinforce the information.
- Involve Your Child: Let your child participate in creating the Social Story by choosing pictures, helping write the text, or narrating the story.
- Use Visual Supports: Include photos of actual locations, vehicles, or people your child will encounter to make the story more relatable.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Practice some of the scenarios described in the Social Story, such as sitting in a car seat, wearing headphones, or using a tablet for entertainment during travel.
- Bring the Story Along: Take a copy of the Social Story with you on the trip as a comforting reminder and a useful tool for reinforcing what your child has learned.
Conclusion
Travel can open up a world of possibilities, from visiting new places to connecting with family and friends. With Social Stories and Visual Aids, families can prepare children for the adventure, making travel a more enjoyable experience for everyone. By equipping children with knowledge and expectations of what to anticipate, Social Stories help reduce anxiety and build confidence, turning travel into a journey of discovery rather than a source of stress. Whether flying across the country or taking a road trip to the next town, Social Stories are your reliable companion for smoother, happier travel experiences.
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