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With The Holidays Approaching, Now Is The Time To Get Ready For Travel If You Have A Child With Special Needs

By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Holidays with family can be dicey under the best of circumstances, but when you're expecting guests with special needs, some care must be taken.

When traveling with a child on the autistic spectrum it's best to let your hosts know what special requirements are required to make sure your child and you have a pleasant experience.

Varleisha Gibbs, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at University of the Sciences says it just takes a phone call to the chef.

"They really should know some of the triggers, for instance, some children don't like to be hugged, some children may need time alone, a quiet space, so identifying that location, that area in the home for them will be beneficial in terms of their time to decompress.

If the child has a favorite food, make it at home and take it with you, so it's exactly what's expected and remember that even with the best planning, things can go wrong, so be prepared for surprises.

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