What are the options and opportunities for families with a child on the spectrum who are wishing to travel?
Recent research of over 1000 parents who have a child on the spectrum has shown:
Do you currently take vacations as a family? 87% said NO.
Would you be more inclined to travel if Autism Certified Options were available? 93% said YES
Are you currently satisfied with current travel options for families with Autism? 97% said NO
To most parents with a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), there questions are not a surprise. To the rest of us, they are. Parents with members on the spectrum are dealing with their powerful family dynamics 24 hour-a-day. They find it hard to even think about traveling or taking a family vacation. When would they have time to understand and become familiar with all of the options and programs that are available?
They wouldn’t. That’s where we come in.
It’s all a matter of planning and knowing what is accessible. The decision to travel becomes much easier.
Travel is by it’s very nature someplace different and usually a bit “unknown." When you are dealing with a child on the spectrum, you are constantly vigilant as to the sensory levels of any place where your child is present. Over the years you have created a safe and secure environment in the child’s room and throughout the entire house. No surprises is a good day. Taking a trip on an airplane or a cruise ship requires exposing your child to the “unknowns.”
From your child’s perspective:
- What is it like to go through security at an airport?
- How to you board a plane?
- How big is the room on a cruise ship?
- Will I be able to eat the foods that I like and prefer?
There are a lot of question and fortunately there are also a lot of answers available.
Did you know that there are cruise lines that will allow you go through the boarding process, visit different staterooms, walk around all of the areas of a large ship where there are scheduled activities and even treat you in the main dining room for a meal specially prepared for your child, like gluten-free?
The travel industry, and especially the cruise industry, is, by far, the most accommodating industry when it comes to people and families who want to travel but have special needs and requests.
Take a look at this: Royal Caribbean’s Access Friendly Ships. This is just the beginning of the details of the resources available to make that family vacation come true. Visit here for all of these details.
As a Certified Autism Travel Professional, I can provide valuable advise and information about how, where and when to travel. As part of out planning services, we get in touch with the access departments at whichever cruise line or resort that you are wanting to go to. Additional services can be made available to families that travel together as a group.
Give me a call and let’s start the conversation. With the right planning and advise, you family, and we mean the whole family, including mom and dad and all of the siblings, could be having the family vacation of a lifetime. It’s all out there to enjoy.
Don DePasquale
CRUISE PLANNERS
CERTIFIED AUTISM TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL (CATP)
don.depasquale@cruiseplanners.com
832-727-3592
