School trips with a child with autism

[Mrsrosetta]

My dd is going through the autism assessment process currently.

She has a school trip coming up, doesn’t want to go, different start times and finish times, worried about the bus, the museum, the noises the smells or typical asd things I think.

How much should I push her? She’s not sleeping very well because of it, worrying about it, also late to school again because she is so worried.

Just wondered if anyone has any experiences to share. Do your asd children go on school trips?

My son has refused to go on trips since he was in about year 3, he is in year 7 now. He couldn’t cope with all the change and didn’t like not being in school as school should be leaning not fun!

He is now considering the possibility of some school trips that he deems educational enough but I always leave the decision to him

My daughter also sees school as learning and absolutely hates when the school have an afternoon of “fun activities “.

Are the school ok with him not going?

Yes. I have been very lucky with the schools but they have always supported the decisions. To be honest I think they realise that it makes it easier all around rather than taking him knowing he would be distressed.

Think I need to be honest and more direct with the school, as have already said she has been worried.

Thanks @Sirzy

Do you think a social story would help? Could you/the school show her the museum online? Some museums have a section for people on the spectrum detailing the layout, what to expect etc.

I don't know how practical it is but could you take her there before the trip?
Maybe take her on the route she would be going and show her the bus timetable etc? Work with the school so she knows what is going to happen on the day - what time they will be leaving, what bus they're taking etc.

I'm not suggesting you force her to go - you know your DD best but I wonder if her anxiety is in part due to the unknown aspect of it.

How do you prepare your DD for holidays/day trips outside of school? Or is it specifically school trips she struggles with?

My Ds has autism and he likes to know in very specific detail what is going to be happening every day beforehand. It seems to help his anxiety. Although of course that can be a bit of a double-edged sword if there are any unexpected changes!

@Toomanyminifigs

Thank you, all very very helpful advice and has helped me to think of other things we can try with her.

I have already shown her the website, but unfortunately not too many pictures to get a real feel of the place.

I think your right it’s the unknown that worries her a lot, plus not being able to always speak up when she is anxious, she almost goes mute and just can’t talk.

For our holidays, we tend to go to similar places, but we always do a lot of talking in advance and looking at pictures. Which is what I’ve tried to do for the school trip but she is still worried. First one since before COVID so think that makes it more difficult too.

It also occurred to me, if your DD doesn't go on the trip, what will school do with her? When my Ds didn't do certain class activities, he had to go into another class - which he actually found worse as the teacher didn't know him and he couldn't cope with the other children.

Would it be worth speaking to school about you going on the trip too? You don't say how old your DD is. I know at primary, schools often ask for parent volunteers. When my Ds was younger, I would go on trips with him so if it got too much for him, I was there to whisk him out. (He now has an Ehcp he has protected full time adult support.) I remember one time when the class went to the aquarium he had a massive meltdown as it was so busy and crowded.

Of course, you mustn't feel you have to go in order for your DD to attend. Your DD is entitled to have the same experiences as the rest of the class so that may mean the school getting an additional adult to go to support her.
There's also the issue of if you do go, would she then expect you to accompany her on every school trip?? It is such a minefield!

That’s very true, she won’t like going in a different class either. She certainly won’t cope with that. The only good option for her would be to keep her home, although I’m not sure school would support that.

She’s a fussy thing. I could go with her, that’s a good option, as then I can take her out if needed.

School have just started the Ehcp application, so if that all gets sorted properly then hopefully in time she would have 1-1 support on trips.

Thanks again, as you’ve made me look at it from different perspectives.