| Taking a child with special needs out of the | | | | carry around extra batteries and tools, if necessary, to |
| environment where they are comfortable can be a | | | | replace the dead ones. Nothing is worse than a child |
| harrowing experience for their parents. Yet, parents | | | | sent on playing these things and you don't have a way |
| need to take their children to appointments, run errands, | | | | to make them work. Also make sure you carry along |
| church, visit family and friends and even out to dinner | | | | the extra games, DVDs and CDs for when they tire |
| at a restaurant. Consider packing a "survival backpack" | | | | of the ones they are using. If your child likes to listen to |
| for those occasions. | | | | stories, libraries of recorded books on CDs which are |
| First, consider the needs of the child. Do they have | | | | easily transferable to MP3 players. This is a source of |
| sensory needs? Are they easily bored? Do they need | | | | hours worth of free and educational entertainment. |
| a change of clothes? Do they have medications? Do | | | | Once you know what kinds of things you'll want to |
| they have a security blanket, doll, or stuffed animal? | | | | pack, purchase a high quality backpack with the |
| Brainstorm as much as you can on a list. Don't worry | | | | features you'll need. For example, you may want |
| about it being a comprehensive list. After taking your | | | | several pockets. One can be for you to pack the |
| survival pack out with you a few times, you'll learn | | | | extra batteries, tools, medications, or wallets. Make |
| what you're missing or what you don't need. | | | | sure your child knows this is your pocket and not for |
| For example, if a child needs to chew on things, bring | | | | them. Some backpacks have holes where |
| the chew items in the pack. A picky eater may need | | | | headphones can be fed through so the child can listen |
| to have snacks and drinks they'll consume on hand if | | | | to something, carry the back on their back and still |
| there is nothing else available. If the child is rigid and | | | | have hands free to do something else. There are |
| won't use someone else's cup, plate, utensils, etc., | | | | pockets on the side for drink holders, cellphones, and |
| make sure you bring theirs. If the child is easily bored | | | | pencil pouches. |
| bring traveling games, books, paper and pencils and | | | | If you child is school age, consider buy an additional |
| listening devices. | | | | backpack for school and one for "survival." This will |
| The superstores have a great variety of travel size | | | | save you time from unloading and reloading. Keep the |
| games such as Chess and Scrabble have magnets or | | | | survival pack by the door or in the car so that it will |
| peg boards so the pieces don't move or get lost. You | | | | always be available to you and the child. Make it a |
| can stay low tech and find Etch-O-Sketch, magnetic | | | | habit of regularly checking it to be sure it is stocked |
| drawing boards, and dry erase boards. Pack small | | | | with what keeps the child satisfied. Add to the pack or |
| figurines, action figures, plastic dinosaurs, farm animals, | | | | remove from it based upon where you are going and |
| and cars. Other children might be more content with | | | | low long you'll be there. |
| Small journals, coloring books or sketch pads. Keep | | | | I've used this pack for eight years now. Not only for |
| pencils, washable markers, crayons in pouches. | | | | my autistic son, but for his younger "typical" sister. It |
| High tech options include handheld games (Nintendo, | | | | has bought me additional time on errands and saved |
| PSP, Leapster), portable DVD or CD players and MP3 | | | | me from additional stress while at appointments. I hope |
| music. If you go with high tech options make sure you | | | | this works well for you. |