Field trips provide children with the opportunity to further consolidate the knowledge they’ve acquired in the classroom through real-life experiences. They also allow them to form stronger bonds with their peers outside of the classroom environment.

In short, they are an essential part of your child’s academic development. In fact, one study found that “children who take school trips have better grades (59%), higher graduation rates from high school (95%) and college (63%), and greater income (12% higher annually).”

However, for children with autism and related disorders, field trips may be a little anxiety-inducing.

Why are field trips harder for children with autism?

Children with autism and related disorders work best within a routine, both in and out of school. For example, they often like to know what they are doing and when. This knowledge is often empowering as they feel more confident heading into their day, knowing they will not encounter any unexpected challenges.

As a field trip is a direct deviation from their routine, this can lead to some upset. However, that’s not to say that children with autism do not enjoy field trips, especially when specific accommodations are put in place to support them!

How to help your child prepare for a school field trip.

• Put together a schedule for the day. Asking your child’s teacher to spend some time curating a schedule for the day can go a long way toward ensuring your child feels as prepared as possible for their trip. Read the schedule with your child beforehand, and provide them with a printed copy to refer to if necessary. You should also add the trip to their calendar in advance.

• Look at the destination’s website. Whether your child is visiting a local zoo or museum, checking out their website ahead of time is another excellent way to prepare your child for the trip. This is because it will give them greater insight into what to expect from the day, especially if they can view a virtual tour or check out pictures beforehand.

• Consider being a parent volunteer. Many schools ask for parents to volunteer to act as chaperones during school trips, so you may want to consider taking on this role if possible. This way, you’re on hand to help should your child be having a hard time.

• Pack noise-cancelling headphones. Field Trips can be noisy affairs, especially when children are excited to have a day off school. As such, you may want to pack some noise-canceling headphones in your child’s backpack, which can help ensure they do not feel overwhelmed or overestimated.

• Discuss the trip in therapy. If your child is currently receiving therapy, discuss the upcoming trip with their therapist. This is because they will be able to suggest other ways in which you can prepare your child and may also teach them some effective coping strategies that they can use on the day if necessary.

School trips are essential in more ways than one, and as such, you should encourage your child to participate in these activities as much as possible. The above guidance is a great way to prepare them for this challenge!