>I’ve heard it said that the Secretary of War should be an autism parent. We plan for every eventuality. We not only have a plan B, but a plan C, plan D, and more. We think through possible roadblocks and speedbumps, make exhaustive lists, prepare everyone thoroughly for the road, and we always, always, have an exit strategy.

Amigo, a teen with Asperger’s, is actually a very good traveler. He loves road trips. In fact, we print the route plan for ourselves and in Braille for Amigo. He is a great navigator, despite his lack of usable vision. When I drive, I put him in charge of the cell phone and the radio. It keeps my mind (and eyes) on the road, and lets him explore any region’s local color through its radio dial.

In order to stay the course with fewer hiccups, we plan more details than most parents. The route file for our upcoming trip includes these statements and more.

“After this stop, Mom will need to sit in the front to help watch highway signs in the big city for Dad.”
“This stretch will be a long haul.”
“We should get gas before we get on the tollway.”
“And now we stay on highway 80 until we reach Ohio. Easy, huh?”
“If we’re feeling spunky when we reach Cleveland, the Indians are playing at 7:00.”
“Are we there yet?”

Amigo has been an active participant in planning this trip. In fact, he’s already suggested getting up early the first day and hitting the road by 7:00 AM. Granola bars and cappuccino for breakfast anyone? I’ve already chosen my travel coffee mug. After all, besides an exit strategy, what’s more important to a road trip than coffee?

This post is part of Scribbit’s Write-Away contest for June. Her theme is “Going Places.” I can’t wait to read all the submissions; they’re always varied and fascinating.
Update: Readers from Scribbit might enjoy this vacation post. It was written too late for the contest, but it definitely fits the theme of “Going Places.”