Traveling With an Autistic Child: Snorkeling, Helicopters & Sharks, Oh My!

Traveling with an autistic child can be an adventure. Especially when you're wondering what happens if your child gets overwhelmed somewhere you can't just leave. So what happens when you take a seven-year-old autistic child snorkeling in the ocean AND on a helicopter ride? Carrie took Zoe to Maui, and let's just say there were a few things she hadn't planned on. Zoe loves swimming and playing in water, but she'd never experienced the ocean. Would she be OK with the snorkel and mask? What would happen when she tasted saltwater (spoiler: it’s salty)? Would she like seeing fish underwater or get scared? And could Carrie stop thinking about sharks long enough to enjoy any of it? Then came the helicopter. The noise, the headphones, the unfamiliar experience, and Zoe's trusty toothbrush. Yes, a toothbrush. Which Carrie was desperately hoping would not end up flying toward the pilot. In this episode of Autism Rewritten, we're chatting about traveling with a child with autism, introducing new experiences, knowing when to stop, and when to just take the win. We also get into water play, snorkeling, sensory considerations, and why Carrie believes giving Zoe opportunities to explore the world in her own way is so important. And yes, the snorkel ended up on Zoe's forehead… and she still had a blast. Because autism can be serious without every conversation about it having to be. CHAPTERS 00:00 Sharks, Snorkeling & an Autism Family Vacation 00:20 Taking Zoe to Maui 01:20 Why Water Is Such a Big Part of Zoe’s Life 02:20 Trying Snorkeling for the First Time 04:20 Sharks, Safety & Getting Into the Ocean 06:20 Zoe Discovers a Whole New World Underwater 08:40 Knowing When to Take the Win 10:35 Taking an Autistic Child on a Helicopter 13:20 What If She Gets Overwhelmed Mid-Flight? 14:25 A Luau, Sensory Needs & Knowing When to Leave 16:40 Why New Experiences Matter