Are you overwhelmed at the thought of planning a family vacation for your child with autism?
We get it.
After all, there is a lot to consider, from how to avoid travel-induced anxiety attacks, to what kind of foods a resort offers, to not knowing how your child will respond to a disruption in their routine.
But travel can also be a great experience for a kid with autism. Travel can be a family bonding experience and offer a gentle push for a child with autism to try new things. Traveling also can open your child's eyes to new interests and open your eyes to strengths you didn't even realize your child had.
Leaders in the hospitality industry have stepped up to help families with kids who have autism overcome some of the biggest hurdles when it comes to traveling by working to make their resorts more autism-friendly.
To call attention to those resorts and attractions -- and offer parents some peace of mind -- the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) has begun recognizing resorts that have gone through the work of obtaining an autism-friendly certification as “Certified Autism Centers.”
The resorts and attractions that have earned the designation worked with IBCCES to complete extensive training from leading autism experts. They've also designed specialized programs for guests with autism and other sensory disorders.
The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Florida became the most recent resort to join the ranks as a Certified Autism Center -- a fact that its guests appreciate.
“It was great to make memories with a family experience this weekend at the Sawgrass Marriott, who truly reflected an environment of being autism-friendly," one parent wrote in a review of the Sawgrass Marriott. "My son, who is on the autism spectrum, had such a great time while his little brother and I felt at total ease."
Zoos, hotels, aquariums, resorts, and museums are among the more than 30 destinations that have earned the certification of a Certified Autism Center from IBCCES since it started offering the designation to the hospitality industry in 2017.
Of those, five are resort and rental home companies. They include, in alphabetical order:
- Beaches Resorts, Jamaica, and Turks & Caicos
- Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa, Dominican Republic
- Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, Punta Cana
- Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort And Spa, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
- VillaKey, Orlando, Florida
For the full list of Certified Autism Center attractions, along with travel resources for families with children with autism, visit AutismTravel.com, a free online resource by IBCCES.
