With years of experience of living and working with those with autism, Endless Family Travels specializes in autism friendly holidays and vacations. Here is our expert guide to planning your next vacation with autism as a focus.
What is Autism
Likelihood is that if you have found this page, you already know what autism is. However, for completeness, here is a brief description of why autism has specific travel requirements.
Autism is a developmental disability and is characterized by challenges in the areas of social skills, communication, and behavior. 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)). The ways in which people with autism learn, think, and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged.
Autism Travel
As the diagnosis of autism has increased, so has the need for autism-specialized travel. Routine deviations, unpredictability, noise, crowds, and unfamiliar environments can cause many challenges for individuals with autism while traveling. These challenges can be overwhelming; and can cause parents to be apprehensive to tackle the daunting task of planning a vacation.
However, the challenges that families with special needs children face are not ones that are insurmountable to overcome. Many strides are being made to ensure that accommodations can be made for special needs individuals within the area of travel. The industry has certainly recognized the need for such information and resources in order to empower families to travel with confidence. That is where Certified Autism Travel Professionals (CATP) and Certified Autism Centers (CAC) come in.
What is a Certified Autism Travel Professional (CATP)?
A Certified Autism Travel Professional is defined as a professional who has demonstrated that they are both knowledgeable and capable of providing support and travel related services to an individual on the autism spectrum; as well as their family.
– IBCCES website
In order to obtain this specialized certification, a travel advisor has to complete comprehensive training in autism-related travel through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). In order to maintain the certification, the advisor must complete continuing autism-related education requirements each year.
What is a Certified Autism Center (CAC)?
A Certified Autism Center is an organization, recognized by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), having highly trained staff (at least 80% trained and certified in the field of autism) and are fully equipped to serve individuals with autism and their families. These Certified Autism Centers also undergo an onsite review by IBCCES experts includes a comprehensive report with suggested changes or modifications to better serve individuals on the spectrum and other challenges and sensory guides for activities.
A CAC can range in specific specialty areas such as educational facilities, healthcare, recreational, etc. A CAC would primarily be a facility or organization that has a dedication to serving individuals with autism. And committed to ongoing autism training.
Certified Autism Centers include Sea World Orlando, Aquatica, Sesame Place, and the Georgia Aquarium, just to name a few.
What is an Advanced Certified Autism Center (ACAC)?
An Advanced Certified Autism Center is the next level in autism certification. Recognized by the IBCCES, certified organizations go above and beyond to prepare for guests with cognitive disorders. This level of certification was created by board of industry experts including physicians, therapist, parents, travel executives and individuals with autism and other cognitive disorders. With the ACAC certification, not only are 80% of guest facing staff trained and certified in the field of autism, leadership and high contact staff have a minimum of 40 hours of autism training. The organization provides ongoing special services and activities for visitors with special needs. And the center also undergoes an annual onsite review and audit by IBCCES professionals; including a comprehensive report with suggested changes or modifications to better serve individuals on the spectrum and other challenges and sensory guides for activities.
CATPs are just part of the travel industry team dedicated to helping families with special needs plan a worry-free vacation. Were you aware that there are also designated destinations and attractions that are trained in serving individuals with autism and their families?
Beaches Resorts in Turks and Caicos, Beaches Resorts in Negril, and Beaches Resorts in Ocho Rios are all Advanced Certified Autism Centers.
Both Certified Autism Centers and Advanced Certified Autism Centers provide families with the guarantee that their needs and accommodations will be met with trained and caring individuals dedicated to serving families with autism
How can Endless Family Travels Help?
We are Certified Autism Travel Professionals here at Endless Family Travel. We are knowledgeable in the special needs aspects of travel and autism friendly holidays / vacations. Knowing we are here to make your trip the best it can be takes the stress out of the process. We are the advocates that will help make your travel experiences positive ones.
Let us help you plan your next trip with autism specifications,
with our qualified Travel Agents!
Resources for Autism Travel
As families prepare to take that step to travel with their special needs children, here are some extra resources:
IBCCES Accessibility Card (IAC)
Created by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), the IBCCES Accessibility Card is a free resource for individuals with cognitive or physical impairments, such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired, PTSD, Limited Mobility, Alzheimer’s, and Dementia. The printable & digital card identifies the services needed at certified autism attractions and destinations. It should be noted that the IAC does not guarantee entry to any attraction (admission ticket purchase is required); and any special accommodations provided are at the sole discretion of that attraction.
TSA Notification Card
The TSA Notification Card is a printable card that can be presented at the airport during security screenings. It is to inform airport personnel about any medical conditions, medical devices, or disabilities that could impact the security screening. These cards do not exempt passengers from screening; but the card enhances communication by discretely conveying essential information to security personnel.
TSA Cares
The TSA Cares helpline was launched in 2011 by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In order to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions with preparation regarding screening policies, procedures, and what to expect at the airport prior to their arrival. Passengers should call 72 hours before traveling to discuss any concerns. Call TSA cares on: (855) 787-2227 or email them.
Passenger Support Specialists are also available at the airport to provide assistance during the screening process.
Airport Rehearsal
A new environment with loud noises, unfamiliar faces and different expectations can prove to be overwhelming for individuals with autism. Fortunately, there are airport rehearsal programs that can assist in the preparation of the flying process. A number of airports, such as Atlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, offer opportunities for a “practice run”. To go over the air travel process including ticketing, security screening, and boarding/exiting the plane; as well as in-flight safety protocols.
The Arc, the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual / developmental disabilities, has been instrumental in establishing these airport rehearsal programs through the “Wings for Autism / Wings for All” initiative. Local Arc chapters, in collaboration with local partners and airport / airlines / TSA personnel host Wings event each year across the United States.
Online Resources
You can find many travel tips online for autism-related travel. Below are a few of our favorite websites we’d like to share with you.
Autism Travel has some useful travel tips including what to expect during a TSA Pre-Check. Including water safety, managing expectations, creating a sensory travel toolkit, and child safety.
The organization Autism Speaks also offers beneficial travel tips, along with an awesome social story about traveling on an airplane.
Autism Travel Agencies
Using a travel agency like ours that specialises in autism friendly holidays and vacations can make all the difference to your trip. Contact us to discuss your vacation plans specific to your needs.
Products for Travel
Naturally, all parents usually pack their child’s favorite items to take on vacation. A preferred toy or book, a tablet, and even favorite snacks. We have included some additional “sensory-friendly” items that may also be beneficial to a smooth travel experience.
- Noise canceling headphones reduce the decibels (noise level) that the ears process; preventing auditory sensitive children from being over stimulated in louder environments.
- Weighted lap pad – provides proprioceptive feedback in order to help individuals soothe / calm / self-regulate
- Fidget toys – help manage anxiety, improve focus, and help calm.
Planning your autism friendly vacation
Are there challenges faced during travel with individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities? Absolutely. Is travel with a special needs child impossible? Absolutely not.
It is our hope that the travel industry will continue to embrace the exceptionalities within our clients and their families. And continue to strive for the utmost dedication to providing them with memorable travel experiences that they will always cherish.
Autism Gives Me Superpowers! – A book by Payton Biggers
Would you like to learn about autism from an actual autistic person’s perspective? Our daughter Payton published her first book in 2022, and we couldn’t be more proud of her. The book has already touched the lives of many and we love hearing the stories. Do you know someone who could benefit from reading her story?
“In this book, I talk about autism through my point of view, so you can see what it’s like in my eyes, the best way to learn about it! Maybe you can learn more about it, or maybe you’ll understand it better, or you may even be able to relate to some of my experiences!”
– Payton Biggers
Buy Payton’s Book Barnes & Noble OR Amazon
Or visit Payton’s website.
