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Navigating Autism-Friendly Family Travel: Tips and Resources

Navigating Autism-Friendly Family Travel: Tips and Resources

October is Autism Awareness month in Canada: The perfect time to learn more about the disorder, as well as the challenges families with autism face when traveling.  

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect how one communicates, learns, behaves, and socializes with others. This is a complex, lifelong condition that varies widely case to case.

Best estimates suggest roughly 1% of the global population today is autistic. Approximately 1 in 50 children in Canada have an autism diagnosis, while in the U.S. the rate is closer to 1 in 36. What these numbers don’t reflect is the number of people whose lives are impacted by each diagnosis. Often, autism is a family journey.

Travel in particular can be a challenge for families with neurodiverse members. Ange Faminoff, a B.C.-based travel advisor (Travel with Ange) who specializes in accessible travel, told TMR many parents “out and out fear” traveling, citing worries over stressful flights or a lack of support at the destination.

Slowly but surely, the travel industry is addressing such fears. Programs like Autism Double-Checked and The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards are helping to combat such anxieties and make travel more accessible to neurodiverse individuals of all ages. There are still many barriers that can get in the way of an enjoyable, stress-free trip, however, which is why a knowledgeable, trusted travel advisor is such an important part of the accessibility equation.

Sesame Place Philadelphia is the first U.S. theme park to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program.

Travel advisors specializing in the autism niche

Many of the travel advisors who specialize in the autism accessibility niche have lived experience with the disorder. Faminoff has worked with neurodiverse children and adults in various capacities over her four-decade career. Just before COVID she embarked on her travel advisor journey, using her experience in education to assist neurodiverse travellers.

Bobbi-Jo Roback took the opposite path to becoming an autism specialist. Roback is a destination wedding expert based in B.C. who has been in the industry for 25 years. She started exploring accessible travel after her two children were diagnosed with various disorders, including ASD.

Roback is in a position to use her industry knowledge and connections to spread autism awareness, encourage change in the industry, and help families with autism to pursue their travel dreams. She’s part of the Barrier Free Accessibility Panel, which has appeared at trade events like Travel Market Place Calgary.

“This is about opening the eyes of the industry, not just the hoteliers, but of of consumers as well,” she told TMR.

South of the border, TravelAble founder and CEO Sarah Marshall is working hard to promote true accessibility in the travel industry. Marshall also has a child on the spectrum, and she’s using her lived experience to “empower families to live adventurously.”

Marshall is a sought-after public speaker, and has presented in Los Angeles and Chicago at the Abilities Expo, as well as various societies, therapy centers, parent universities, and other community gatherings. In addition to being a certified travel advisor (CTA) and a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), she is a proud partner of the ALS Association and the MS Society.

Initially, Marshall focused her business on neurodivergent travel. When she went to her first Abilities Expo, her booth was a hit: people with various disabilities lined up around the corner, wanting to discuss their challenges and receive feedback. The experience made her realize there was a whole community that needed her help.

“I transformed myself into being fully accessible, doing as much as I could for anyone that has a challenge in traveling,” she explained.

Beaches Resorts is leading the charge on neurodiversity accessible travel. All staff receive 40 hours of autism sensitivity training, provided by IBCCES.

Getting into the neurodiversity niche

There is a growing need for autism accessibility specialists in the travel industry, and it’s not necessary to already possess personal or expert knowledge. The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) offers autism and neurodiversity training and certification for the travel industry, including a Certified Autism Travel Professional (CATP) program.

For advisors considering accessible travel as a niche, it’s imperative to listen to your clients, try to understand their specific needs, and be authentic.

“One of the things I always tell my agents when I’m training them is you have to listen and you have to ask all the questions,” Marshall told TMR. “It’s not as simple as just asking, ‘what is your diagnosis?’ You want to make sure that they feel like they’re people as well. It’s thinking about all of those different things about travel that we take for granted, but might be really important to a neurodivergent person.”

Faminoff suggested advisors looking to do accessible travel should get some familiarity with the communities they want to serve. “Volunteer somewhere. Talk to the families. The families are the experts: They can tell you what’s going to work and what’s not going to work.”

Research is important too. Marshall recommends advisors join the Accessible Travel Network Facebook group. Created by Kristy Durso, this online group aims to help travel professionals better understand the needs of travelers with disabilities by sharing information and resources.

The best suppliers for families with autism

Roback told TMR the industry has a long way to go to be truly inclusive for neurodivergent travelers. Still, she’s happy with the progress made so far – especially the suppliers that have really embraced autism readiness, like Beaches Resorts and Karisma Hotels & Resorts.

Beaches is leading the charge for making travel more accessible for families with autistic children. It was the first resort to get the Certified Autism Certification from IBCCES, and remains the only hospitality organization in the world to hold the Advanced Certified Autism Certification.

Faminoff likes to send families with neurodiverse children to the Beaches resorts because she knows “they will be embraced.” Jordan Izzo, the director of accessible travel at Travelmation, told TMR “Beaches Resorts are such great options that really paved the way for all-Inclusive vacations for families who have neurodivergent travelers.”

TMR was invited to attend the resort brand’s second-annual Autism Inclusion Week, which was held at Beaches Negril from Sept. 22 to 27. The resort offers a special itinerary filled with activities designed for children on the spectrum, as well as sessions for parents to connect and learn.

“I think what Beaches is doing is phenomenal,” Kate Swenson, the parent of an autistic child, told TMR. “Vacationing is hard for us.”

Carrie Cariello, another “autism mom,” said she and her family vacation regularly at the Beaches resorts because the staff made them feel welcome and safe. “No on stared,” she said.

Karisma is the other leading supplier for autism-readiness. Karisma has partnered with Autism Double-Checked, which is similar to the IBCCES certification for travel companies but is a bit more robust.

“Karisma Hotels & Resorts is the first resort brand to offer the Autism Concierge in partnership with Autism Double Checked. All staff who are in contact with guests have taken courses to be prepared to handle situations that may arise,” Izzo told TMR.

“Overall, most families just want awareness and understanding for the way they need to travel,” she added.

Autism Double-Checked offers three levels of certification, a searchable directory on its website, and visitor guides with information relevant to neurodiverse individuals to help families prepare.

“Preparation ahead of time is so important,” said Roback.

The autism specialists TMR spoke to also recommended the Disney and Universal theme parks. These can be a good “test” trip for a family because the flights are shorter. Universal Studios in Florida in particular is great for children with autism because it has a quiet room where over-stimulated guests can escape the crowds and calm down.

“Disney and Universal tend to be the best just because the characters are familiar, but also they’re trained on customer service,” said Marshall. “They have a lot of features that make it easy to go.”

On the cruise side, Royal Caribbean has a great reputation for autism-friendly travel. Autism on the Seas, which offers special staff assisted cruises, has been collaborating with Royal Caribbean since 2007. Today, Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises are also partners.

Travel can change lives

For the advisors specializing in autism accessible travel, they’re not in it for the money: every person TMR spoke to was clearly passionate about spreading autism awareness and empowering families to self-advocate and adventure.

The benefits of travel for well-being and personal development are clear. Arguably, families with autistic children, who often have fears and anxieties about traveling, stand to benefit the most.

Cariello’s autistic son benefited from his trips to Beaches. She explained that her and her husband could relax their supervision, offer their son a safe environment to explore independence: “Beaches was the first place we could give [their autistic son] a little freedom.”

Marshall told TMR there is a therapeutic benefit of travel for children on the spectrum. “Travel is transformative,” she explained. “Things have happened for my son developmentally that I don’t think would have happened if he had stayed at home in his routine.”

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