Finding somewhere to go with an autistic child can take more thought than simply choosing a place from a list. Families may need to consider the setting, what will happen during the visit, and whether the experience will feel welcoming and supported.
PlaceAut helps families in Florida find autism-friendly places, events, and resources. It also gives parents a way to recommend places for review, so other families can share information about places they have considered.
Preparing before leaving home can help make a visit easier to understand. A simple story can show what may happen, in what order, and what your child may see during the experience. It gives families something familiar to look at together before they arrive.
Using the PlaceAut Social Story Creator
The PlaceAut Social Story Creator lets you pick any place and create a gentle, personalized, step-by-step social story. It is made to help your autistic child know what to expect before visiting a place.
You can use it to prepare for a visit at a pace that feels comfortable for your family. Read through the story together and talk about the place, the visit, and the steps shown. Your child can look at the story more than once before the day of the visit.
The story is free, printable, and shareable. You can print a copy for home or share it with people who will support your child during the visit. Keeping the story available can give your family a familiar plan to return to while you prepare.
Find places that fit your family
PlaceAut includes tools for discovering places, events, social stories, and sensory matches. Families in Florida can use these options when looking for places and resources that may suit their needs. You can also recommend a place for review if there is somewhere you think other families should know about.
The service is also useful for families who want information before making plans. You can look for a place, consider the available details, and prepare your child with a story before going. Each family can decide what information is useful for its own visit.
For families who want more support when choosing a place, PlaceAut offers in-person family evaluations for certified listings. Businesses can list and manage their places, giving them a way to share information with families looking for welcoming settings.
Before a visit, start by choosing the place you want to explore. Create the story, read through it with your child, and print or share it if that helps. Preparing the steps in advance can make the plan easier to follow when it is time to go.
Sign in to leave a comment.