October 2, 2026

Preparing an Autistic Traveler for a Trip: A Caregiver Checklist

Preparing for a new adventure can be exciting, but it can also bring plenty of questions, especially when a traveler will be experiencing unfamiliar places, people, routines, and activities.
For autistic adults, knowing more about what to expect before leaving home may help make some of those unfamiliar experiences feel more manageable.
Every autistic traveler is different. Some may want to know every detail of the trip, while others may only need a general idea of what to expect. Some may be excited about busy attractions, while others may benefit from preparing for new sensory environments.
There is no one right way to get ready.
The best preparation starts with knowing your traveler and thinking about what will help them feel informed, comfortable, and excited about the adventure ahead.

Use this checklist as a starting point as you prepare for an upcoming trip.

Before the Trip: Your Preparation Checklist

1. Review the Trip Information Together

Knowing what is coming can make a new experience feel more familiar.

Review the available trip information together, including where the traveler will be going, how long they will be away, and some of the activities they may experience.

You do not have to memorize every detail. The goal is to give your traveler a general idea of what their days may look like.

2. Look at Pictures of the Destination

Turn some of the unknown into something recognizable.

Look at photos of the city, hotel, attractions, transportation, or other places included in the trip.

You can talk about what looks exciting, what may be different from home, and what your traveler is most interested in experiencing.

3. Talk Through Travel Day

The journey itself may involve several unfamiliar steps.

Talk about where the traveler will meet the group, what transportation they will use, where their luggage will go, and what will happen when they arrive.

Depending on the trip and the traveler’s location, Special Journeys provides pickup information and transportation to the tour bus or central meeting location.

Walking through these steps beforehand can help make departure day feel less unfamiliar.

4. Create a Countdown

A visual calendar or countdown can help make the timing of an upcoming trip more concrete.

Mark the departure date and count down the days together.

This also creates opportunities to revisit the trip naturally as it gets closer instead of trying to cover everything at once.

5. Talk About Changes to Their Normal Routine

Vacations naturally look different from everyday life.

Meal times, bedtime, transportation, and daily activities may change. Think about which routines are particularly important to your traveler and what typically helps them navigate changes.

If there is something the Special Journeys team should know about a routine or preference, communicate it before departure.

6. Think About Sensory Needs

Consider the different environments your traveler may encounter.

Restaurants, attractions, transportation, hotels, sporting events, and shows can introduce different sounds, lights, crowds, smells, and surroundings.

Think about what typically helps your traveler feel comfortable and whether there are familiar, appropriate items they should pack.

At amusement parks and other large venues, Special Journeys may divide travelers into smaller groups based on attraction and activity preferences.

7. Practice Communicating Needs

Talk about what your traveler can do if they need help while they are away.

Depending on how they communicate, it may be useful to practice:

“I need help.”
“I need a break.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m hungry.”
“I need to use the restroom.”
“I don’t want to do that.”

If your loved one communicates differently, make sure their communication preferences are clearly explained to the people supporting them.

The goal is to help your traveler feel comfortable communicating their preferences and needs throughout the experience.

8. Pack Together

Packing can be another part of preparing for the experience.

Let your traveler participate as much as appropriate. Choose clothing together, talk about what they may need for different activities, and pack familiar personal items that can help them feel comfortable.

Knowing what is in their suitcase can also give them greater ownership of the experience.

9. Share Important Information With the Travel Team

You know your loved one best, and sharing that knowledge is an important part of preparation.

Make sure the team understands relevant information about your traveler, including:

Communication preferences.
Important routines.
Food needs and preferences.
Medications.
Mobility or personal care needs.
Things that may cause discomfort or distress.
Strategies that typically help.
Interests and activities they enjoy.

Special Journeys provides support with areas such as medications, meals, luggage, restroom prompting, shopping, spending money, personal care, and other daily needs based on the individual traveler.

Travel Companions provide individualized supervision, guidance, and assistance throughout the trip, with additional support from Tour Leaders and other designated team members.

10. Make Excitement Part of the Preparation

Not every conversation before the trip needs to be about routines, needs, or potential challenges.

Talk about the fun, too.

What are they most excited to see?

Which activity sounds the best?

What kind of souvenir would they like to bring home?

Are they excited to meet new people?

Preparing for a trip should help travelers understand what to expect while also giving them something wonderful to look forward to.

Preparation Is About Knowing Your Traveler

A successful travel checklist will look a little different for every person.

Your traveler may benefit from reviewing trip information several times. They may want to see photos of every destination. They may want to help pack their entire suitcase. Or they may need a completely different kind of preparation.

That is okay.

Special Journeys’ philosophy emphasizes treating every traveler as an individual, respecting their choices and autonomy, and recognizing their unique strengths, abilities, and interests.

The goal is not to prepare for every possible situation.

It is to help your traveler know what to expect, communicate what they need, and feel supported and excited as departure day approaches.

Because sometimes a little preparation can make a big adventure feel much more possible.

Thinking about your loved one’s next adventure? Connect with the Special Journeys team to talk about your traveler, ask questions, and start planning for the journey ahead.

Join Us on the Journey

If you are looking for a meaningful way to make a difference, volunteering with Special Journeys may be exactly what you have been searching for.

Your time creates confidence.
Your kindness creates connection.
Your presence creates unforgettable memories.