3 Tips on How to Travel with Incontinence and Autism

Autism and incontinence come with their own unique set of daily challenges. Comforting and supporting your child, preparing for accidents, and avoiding sensory triggers may leave you exhausted at the end of the day. 

On top of that, you may soon have travel coming up. But how do you travel with incontinence and autism? Here are some things that may help.

1. Pack the essentials

The first step for a successful trip with an autistic child with incontinence is to be over-prepared with everything they may need.

Pack enough diapers for each day, and then pack a few extra. This may be a good time to consider switching to a more absorbent brief to keep your child comfortable during long car rides or extended periods without access to a bathroom.

Protective pads are great for protecting hotel mattresses or car seats from urine in case of an accident. Many can hold up to 24 ounces of liquid, keeping areas urine-free and making the cleanup process quicker and easier.

Speaking of the cleanup, you should take a few disposal bags with you. They will enable you to discreetly throw away soiled diapers and conceal their smell to prevent odors.

Plus, hand sanitizer and sanitary wipes will be great to have for quick clean-ups in any location and not just for incontinence. You know kids have the potential to get dirty or sticky fingers in any situation.

Antibacterial wipes can be lifesavers. They are available in space-saving packages and can be used to clean surfaces in public restrooms whenever a diaper change needs to be made.

If you need to make a quick change or clean up, you may need spare clothes. Be sure to pack extra outfits, including pajamas, so your child can be dry and comfortable.

On vacation, you might not find the best food options available. Sugary drinks and junk food can worsen incontinence. Pack water and healthy snacks for your child to enjoy.

2. Remain calm

Traveling somewhere new and disrupting your child’s normal routine can cause stress and anxiety. In some cases, this can worsen incontinence, so you can reassure your child by supporting them and remaining calm.

If an accident happens, don’t make a big deal of it. Quickly and discreetly clean up and change your child. Let them know that everything is fine.

Incontinence can be embarrassing, and your child might not want relatives to find out about accidents. Do your best to keep the situation under wraps.

You can also help your child by developing a code word for when they need to be changed or use the bathroom.

Another good way to help is to practice timed voiding. Instead of waiting for children to realize they need to go on their own, remind them every few hours by asking if they need to go.

If they’re too caught up in an activity to go to the restroom, remind them that the activity will still be there afterward. Go with your child to the restroom to minimize sensory triggers. Let them skip flushing if the noise is overwhelming or cover the mirror if it bothers them.

3. Find the right help

Connecting with a quality, durable medical equipment (DME) supplier can simplify managing incontinence by taking a lot off your plate. For example, they may help you save money by helping you qualify to have your child’s incontinence supplies covered through insurance.

A quality supplier will also pair you with an incontinence specialist to handle your child’s needs with understanding. They will help match your child with correctly fitting diapers and check in on a monthly basis to see if they need to make any changes to the supply.

This is because your child may need a more absorbent product and will need to change sizes as they grow. An incontinence specialist can also recommend the latest, most advanced products to assist with incontinence.

They also eliminate the need to run to your local department store to buy diapers. Instead, they will discreetly ship your child’s incontinence products to your home every month in blank packaging.

Learning how to travel with incontinence

The idea of traveling with incontinence may seem overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right DME, incontinence products, and a little extra planning, your family will have the vacation of a lifetime – filled with laughter, memories, relaxation, and much more.

This article was featured in Issue 86 – Working Toward a Healthy Life with ASD

FAQs

Q: How do people with incontinence travel?

A: People with incontinence travel by planning ahead, wearing absorbent products, and carrying extra supplies. They also identify restroom locations in advance and use protective bedding or seat covers for added security.  

Q: How do you pack incontinence pads for travel?

A: Pack incontinence pads in a waterproof bag or pouch to keep them dry and discreet. Store extra pads in carry-on luggage for easy access during long trips.  

Q: How do you help an autistic child with incontinence?

A: Support an autistic child with incontinence by establishing a consistent bathroom routine and using visual schedules or reminders. Choose sensory-friendly incontinence products and provide reassurance to reduce anxiety around toileting.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• Preparing for the Holidays
• Planning Parties for Kids with Autism or Sensory Processing Disorder
• 10 Ways to Keep Your Child Safe Online
• Terrific Tips for Surviving Theme Parks When a Child Has Special Needs
• 5 Tips for Moving With a Child on the Autism Spectrum
• 7 Simple Ways to Make Travel Easier with Autism
• Valuable Ways to Prepare Your Child with Autism for a Hospital Stay