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Travel Training

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Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Definition

Travel training is a systematic approach to teaching individuals on the autism spectrum to use mass transit. According to Groce (1996a), “Travel training is short term, comprehensive, intensive instruction designed to teach students with disabilities how to travel safely and independently on public transportation. The goal of travel training is to train students to travel independently to a regularly visited destination and back” (p. 2). Without the ability to travel independently, an individual with autism is isolated and must rely upon others to transport them to work, social activities, and other activities of daily living (e.g., grocery shopping).

Historical Background

The history of travel training is scant at best. With the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the 1990s, educators acknowledged the need to train individuals with disabilities regarding how to access and use public transportation to increase their independence and...

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References and Reading

  • Groce, M. M. (1996a). An introduction to travel training. Transition summary: Travel training for youth with disabilities (pp. 2–5). National Information Center Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHY), Newark, NJ.

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  • Groce, M. M. (1996b). A model of a travel training program: The New York City Board of Education Travel Training Program. Transition summary: Travel training for youth with disabilities (pp. 10–13). June 9. National Information Center Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHY), Newark, NJ.

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  • Solberg, M. M., Fickas, S., Lemoncello, R., & Hung, P. F. (2009). Validation of the action communities transportation model for individuals with cognitive impairments. Disabilities and Rehabilitation, 31(11), 887–897.

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  • Solomonow, S., & Gastel, S. (2010). NYC DOT, NYPD announce new initiatives to improve safety for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists. New York City Department of Transportation press release. Retrieved 11 May 2011, from http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pr2010/pr10_053.shtml.

  • Strunsky, S. (2011). Newark airport program helps autistic children cope with air travel. The Star Ledger. Retrieved 11 May 2011, from http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/nj_autistic_children_brave_con.html.

  • VanBergeijk, E. O. (2009a). Travel advice for higher functioning individuals on the autism spectrum. Exceptional Parent, 39(12), 44–45.

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  • VanBergeijk, E. O. (2009b). Travel training for higher functioning individuals on the autism spectrum. Autism Spectrum News, 1(3), 32–40.

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  • Voorhees, P. (1996). Travel training for persons with cognitive or physical disabilities: An overview. Transition summary: Travel training for youth with disabilities (pp. 7–9). June 9. National Information Center Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHY), Newark, NJ.

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  • WALB News. (2011). Program eases travel stress for families with autistic children. The Autism News. Retrieved 11 May 2011, from http://www.theautismnews.com/2011/01/31/program-eases-travel-stress-for-families-with-autistic-children/.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Threshold Program, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Ernst O. VanBergeijk

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  1. Ernst O. VanBergeijk
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Correspondence to Ernst O. VanBergeijk .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

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VanBergeijk, E.O. (2018). Travel Training. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1938-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1938-3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

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