Local Ideas to Help Prepare for Your Next Vacation
Sometimes, we get a bit overwhelmed when it comes to traveling with our family members who have Down syndrome or Autism. However, there are things we can do locally to help prepare for the bigger trips or adventures. We are so lucky that we live in a city that is so close to many amazing natural and cultural activities. These places allow us to practice closer to home so that we're all prepared when the time comes to take the bigger vacation.
MARTA - Just by taking a ride on the train, you can practice purchasing tickets, reading route maps, being in crowds, and navigating the stations. Many other countries rely on rail as a major form of transportation, so our local train can be very helpful.
Six Flags Over Georgia - If you are planning a trip to theme parks, you might as well practice with our local park! Here you can practice being in crowds, navigating the lines, waiting, etc. If you feel like you or your child could benefit from additional services, you can sign up for the IBCCES Accessibility Card - https://accessibilitycard.org/
Take a Hike - If you are planning to go somewhere that may require a lot of walking or time in nature, hiking is the best way to prepare. There are amazing hiking trails super close to the city! Georgia also has some great National Park Service locations to check out. Some may qualify for the Access Pass - https://www.nps.gov/subjects/accessibility/interagency-access-pass.htm. My family loves to hike on the National Park trails and the state of Georgia State Park trails.
Take a Sightseeing Tour - If your dream vacation includes a museum or a city tour, you can prepare in our amazing city before you ever get on the airplane. Atlanta has movie tours, foodie tours, civil rights tours, and more! If you want a private tour or a small group tour, you can likely find it. The bonus is that you make a friend in your guide, and you will be more prepared to wait, listen, and learn. There are also lots of amazing museums you can visit locally to practice these same skills. This will help you know what your time limit should be when you're in another country as well.
Stay in a local hotel - We have so many hotel options it's kind of silly! Whether you want to stay in a luxury property or just keep it simple somewhere with a complimentary breakfast, there are a lot of options! I personally love the Perimeter area because there are options for walking around and exploring for a price point that many can swallow. Plus, you can likely find an indoor pool to enjoy as well. I also really enjoy staying in Stone Mountain so you can combine some of the outdoor activities, waiting in line, and the resort itself. It's a lovely place to practice.
Do a practice run at the airport - Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) works with Wings for Autism to enable you to experience things such as:
Check-in to receive a boarding pass
Pass through the TSA security checkpoint.
Waiting in the boarding area
Board an aircraft (that does not take off)
This can be a great way to get to "know" the airport and what to expect when the real travel day comes along. Here is the link so you can learn more - https://thearc.org/our-initiatives/travel/
We are very fortunate to live in a state full of exciting destinations and some of the best travel infrastructure in the country. Adventures in your own backyard can help you prepare to see the world!
-Stephanie Cantwell, CTA, VTA