Going Out and About With a Child With Autism: Tips from a BCBA

Public outings with ANY kids are scary. Common fears that I hear a lot are:

• What if we see challenging behaviors?
• Will other parents and families be judging me?
• I don’t want to buy a ticket to this event in case we can’t stay long.

All of these concerns are valid, it IS hard and there is always the possibility of challenging behaviors or spending time and money on an experience that doesn’t happen the way we wanted.

HOWEVER, it is crucial that we still go on outings despite all the challenges. First, fewer parents are judging you than you think. Most people with children have the memory of their own kid screaming at Food Lion seared into their brain. In my experience, other people are more likely empathizing than they are judging. And challenging behaviors may occur, but with some small adjustments (that we will talk about later) that risk can be minimized.

The benefits of taking your kid on outings will far outweigh the challenges, maybe not initially, but definitely over time.

• The only way to teach your little one to be successful on outings is to take them on outings.
• Outings provide opportunities to see different kids and different play types.
• They help expand your child’s play repertoire.
• They create core memories for your child and family.

It’s all well and good to talk about WHY we should take our kids places, but that leaves the question of HOW. We’re going to go through some strategies for before, during, and after an outing.

• Pack for your little one. Always bring familiar toys and activities to outings. Sometimes having our favorite stuffed animal in a new place can make it not so scary. If your learner benefits from a chewy or a blocking pad for self-injury, make sure you have those. Just between us friends, I think that bringing a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency iPad isn’t the end of the world either, I would just hide it until it’s needed.
• Give your child advanced notice. Talk about your upcoming trip to the water park a few days in advance. Children take in more information than they let on. Even if your little one can’t speak back to you, talking about it in advance will help them mentally prepare.
• Make your own plan in advance. Before any outing with my daughter, I already decided where we are going and when. Also, I think about what my goals are. If it’s a place my daughter doesn’t tolerate going, I don’t set my expectation that she will run around and play. Maybe being in a park without being upset might be a great first goal. Whenever possible, bring extra adults to help out.
• Talk to your therapy team. Whether your child is receiving service at Ally or elsewhere, they are being exposed to new and different experiences all the time. Maybe your learner’s BCBA has a tip that really helped your little one adjust to a new room in the clinic. Also, if there are specific skills needed for this outing, let your team know.

• Don’t put too much pressure on an outing. Start with low-risk environments like parks, grocery stores, or libraries. These are free and flexible if things don’t go as planned.
• Don’t have other missions. If your learner is working on tolerating a space, separate that from other tasks when possible. One trip can be for learning, another for completing errands.
• Have an exit. Choose environments where you can leave easily if needed. Children’s tolerance improves when they feel some control over the situation.
• See what your kid likes. Watch for signs your child is enjoying something and build on those moments.

• Repeat outings. Familiar places can increase comfort and success over time.
• Increase the activities. Gradually extend time or try new activities once your child is comfortable.
• Decrease the supports. Slowly fade supports like devices or snacks to build independence and flexibility.

Outings are challenging and can be stressful. HOWEVER, they are super worth it. Don’t view the first outing as the end line, it’s just the first step. Remember, progress can be slow at times but it builds on itself!

Ethan Katz – a Senior Clinical Director and Board Certified Behavior Analyst – has over 12 years of experience in ABA, including 8 years as a BCBA. A Fairfax, VA native, Ethan finds deep meaning in supporting the same community he grew up in, helping young children build skills that shape their futures.

What drives Ethan most is watching his learners not just acquire new skills, but use them in the real world. He finds it especially rewarding to give children the tools to make friends and advocate for themselves. Ethan approaches every learner with genuine care, building programs that are meaningful and individualized, because when a child is excited and engaged, that’s when the real progress happens.