Autism Friendly Vacation Spots

Trippin' with Jamie understands that planning vacations is not always easy. There are so many variables and moving pieces, it can seem overwhelming. Add in a family member with autism and the challenges become even more complicated. While traveling with special needs may never be easy, the travel industry has been slowly changing to better accommodate families that may require a bit more planning and preparation. We want to highlight a few vacation destinations that have committed to not just accommodating families dealing with autism, but to helping them have the best vacation possible.

Tradewinds Resort:

Located at St. Pete's Beach on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, this resort provides a great autism-friendly destination without the need for a passport. Going above and beyond for families with special needs, all the staff have been through the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities training and Tradewinds has been designated an Autism Friendly business. Families dealing with autism can request a "safety kit" that provides a door alarm and corner cushions to keep all family members safe. The resort is equipped to handle a variety of special diets and are willing to work with families to make sure everyone is accommodated. The children's program has sensory activities for children with autism and a variety of drop-off programs to allow parents some alone time.

Franklyn D. Resort and Spa:

An all-inclusive located in Jamaica, this resort has been recognized as a top travel destination for families with special needs. Upon arrival, each family is assigned a "nanny" for the entire trip. The nanny is available from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm and can be hired for longer if parents would like an evening out. These nannies can provide an extra set of eyes and hands to allow families to enjoy their vacation and give parents some room to relax. During down times, the nanny will keep the rooms clean and tidy and allow families to enjoy their vacation. Family suites provide space for everyone to spread out and relax, but also keep parents close enough to keep an eye on everyone.

Disney:

Disney has been recognized for years for their impeccable service and willingness to go above and beyond for their guests. This mentality does not waver when it comes to families dealing with autism. For families dealing with autism, Disney offers the Disability Access Service Card that allows families to avoid waiting in long lines. If there is a wait of more than 10 minutes for a ride, the attendant will give the DASC holder a return time which allows the family to wait in the shade, go indoors, or enjoy other aspects of the park. In addition, there are multiple break areas located throughout the park to provide a quiet area for relief from over-stimulation. Companion restrooms are also available in select locations which allow the family member with autism to be accompanied in the restroom if assistance is required.

For families dealing with dietary restrictions, Disney has been known to be one of the most accommodating vacation destinations. While the restaurants in the parks and at the resort are able to accommodate most allergies and restrictions, Disney allows guests with special needs to bring in food as needed. In addition, the hotels located at the resort have staff trained and accommodations in place to help accommodate families with special needs. Easy access to the parks and the ability to take breaks mid-day are only some of the benefits staying at the resort offers.

Royal Caribbean Cruises:

The first to offer Autism Friendly Cruising, Royal Caribbean has become a fantastic vacation choice for families with a family member with autism. All youth staff are specially trained on how to best accommodate children with autism, and there are a variety of additional services available for these special needs families. Priority check-in, boarding, and departure allow for families to avoid large crowds and noise, and the cruise staff are capable of handling a wide range of dietary accommodations.

New in 2014, the cruises have started offering autism friendly movies in a low sensory environment with the ability to move around as needed. A toy lending program as well as autism friendly activities are also available to give families multiple options of fun things to do with the entire family. For children ages 3-11, the youth programs allow children with autism to be placed in ability-appropriate groups rather than by age.

Smugglers' Notch Resort:

Located in Vermont, this 4-seasons resort can be a great vacation destination in any weather for families that have a family member with special needs. Specially trained staff are experienced in a variety of special needs including, decreased mobility and autism spectrum disorders, and are willing to work with families to provide the best possible experience.

This resort has a program called the Smugglers' Notch Adaptive Program that focuses on providing vacation activities for children and adults with special needs and their families. In the summer, the program offers swimming, water slides, hiking, crafts, kayaking, horseback riding, rock climbing, sing-alongs, and more. Children are able to also attend the children's programming with assistance or can be one-on-one by trained staff. All activities are tailored to the individual and they are able to do as little or as much as possible.

In the winter, the Adaptive Program offers children and adults the opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard with the assistance of specially trained instructors. Students can be taught one-on-one or with two or more additional instructors if needed. They can also take participate in regular lessons with extra assistance from one of the adaptive instructors. Smugglers' Notch provides adaptive equipment which includes mono-skis, bi-skis, a slider, and snowboarding options.

We hope these vacation destinations has sparked your interest! A variety of options for whatever floats your boat (although if you're not interested in cruising, maybe think about a mountain resort or all-inclusive)! We want to help you find the best option for your family, so give us a call! Maybe one of these is shouting your name, or maybe you have a dream destination you've been wishing you could make work. Either way, give us a call and let us help you plan your next (or first) trip!