Piecing together the journey

​

It's interesting to see the journey of a parent preparing their autistic child for a week-long trip to Mesa, Arizona. A well-organized plan will ensure a smooth trip.

​

A Parent's Journey to Prepare for An Adventure To Arizona and the Sonoran Desert

​

When I first decided to take a week-long trip to Mesa, Arizona, with my autistic son, I realized I wanted this vacation to be more than just a getaway—it needed to be a joyous, stress-friendly adventure. So, I started my preparations a few weeks ago. Each morning at the breakfast table, I'd pull out a map of Arizona or a photo of the mountains and say, "Here's where we'll be soon!" He would ask curious questions—some as simple as "Is it hot there?" and some more anxious, like, "What if the airplane is too loud?" But opening up that conversation early helped calm those nerves.

​

Soon, I turned our dining-room wall calendar into a mini-masterpiece of "Arizona Countdown." We placed pictures of airplanes, hotels, and desert cacti on each day leading up to our departure. It became a visual schedule—my child could see what to expect. It felt reassuring for them to check off one day at a time, the same way we'd do a countdown for a big holiday.

​

Next, I gathered familiar comfort items: a trusty plush toy, noise-canceling headphones, and a small blanket that carries the cozy smell of home. As we practiced for the trip, we'd wear those headphones in noisier spaces—a grocery store on a busy Saturday, the local shopping mall—so he could get comfortable with his feelings in different environments.

​

​​​​​PAGE 15 OF 21