Explaining Autism to New Friends in Small Towns: Practical Tips for Traveling Families

When we slow travel, sometimes we’re tucked away in total solitude. Other times, we share space with fellow campers — maybe a dumpster, a trail, or just the same view. In those moments, a simple introduction has been invaluable. Whether it’s to the facility office, the camp host, or even a visitor center, we introduce ourselves with a flyer that includes our phone numbers and a picture of our autistic son. It sets the stage for understanding and safety.

Before we hit the road, our son — who is minimally verbal with us, nonverbal with strangers — had several wandering incidents at home. Neighbors, not knowing him, would panic, call the police, and he'd be in a full panic before I could get there. Friends helped us create yard and trail signs so people would recognize him and know how to reach us. That practice carried over into our travels, and it has made all the difference.

Tip 1: Share Flyers or Post Signs

Create simple flyers with your child’s photo, name, and your contact numbers. Post them discreetly around the campground — on bulletin boards, dumpsters, or poles — and hand them to camp staff. This small step saves confusion and directs concerned campers to call you, not the police.

We’ve had many experiences where someone spotted our little guy wandering along a shallow creek, completely in his own world, and assumed he was lost. Thanks to the signs, instead of panicking, they gave us a call. We were able to reassure them he was safe — and it reminded us how important those simple flyers are for peace of mind, both for us and for the people around us.

Tip 2: Set Boundaries for Social Gatherings

In small communities, social invitations naturally pop up — potlucks, church events, volunteer opportunities. We’ve learned to be upfront about our limits: sometimes only part of our family attends, while one of us stays behind with our son so he can enjoy the quiet of nature. Setting this expectation early prevents overwhelm for him and eases the pressure on us.

More than once, we’ve had to gently say no when new friends or even extended family wanted to spend more time together. Sometimes that means limiting how long we stay, and sometimes it means Preston or I head back to our RV with Hyrum so he doesn’t get overwhelmed. While it’s hard in the moment, setting those boundaries has kept him calm and allowed the rest of our family to enjoy the gathering too.

Too many times, we gave in to the pressure to spend extra time with family and friends, even when it pushed Hyrum far out of his comfort zone. We always paid for it later — his anxiety would spike, and he’d have meltdowns that lasted a day or more. Eventually, we realized it wasn’t fair to put his body through that. Setting boundaries may disappoint others in the moment, but it protects Hyrum and allows all of us to enjoy life together more peacefully.

Tip 3: Protect Your Energy When Explaining

We’ve noticed that when we meet new people in a community, our situation almost always comes up. And while we want to be open, it can be draining to explain every detail over and over—especially with our son there. Over time, we’ve found it works best to keep it simple. Usually, we’ll just share that our family has some special needs and that we’ve adjusted our life around them the best we can.

It’s not about being secretive—it’s about protecting our energy and respecting our son. Constantly rehashing the “whys” behind his behaviors and for why we’re living this lifestyle gets exhausting, and honestly, it’s not fair to him either. Other autism parents we’ve met on the road say the same thing: explaining and justifying their child’s differences to every new face wears them out. So now, we save the deeper conversations for the people we truly connect with and trust.

Final Thoughts

Traveling as an autism family means balancing openness with privacy. By introducing ourselves, sharing flyers, setting boundaries, and choosing carefully when to explain more, we’ve found smoother transitions into each new town. Most importantly, these small efforts create safety for our son, peace of mind for us, and a warmer welcome into each community we pass through.