Moms Boujee | Travel With Autism

Moms Boujee | Travel With Autism

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© 2024 Moms Boujee

Blog

Purpose of the Blog

The primary objective of this blog is to provide valuable insights into the best destinations Ive gotten to so far. By highlighting places that prioritize luxury comfort and safety, we aim to help families navigate travel with autistic children, ensuring a more pleasant and stress-free journey.

This blog is my option based on data and experiences with my son and family, of other guests and staff.

“wood song” © 2024 Moms Boujee

Autism-Friendly Travel Certification: Hotels and Resorts Leading the Way

Introduction

Traveling can be a daunting experience for individuals with autism and their families. However, a growing number of hotels and resorts are stepping up to make travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Through specialized certifications and training programs, these establishments are transforming their services to better accommodate autistic guests.

Certified Autism Center (CAC)

Offered by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), the Certified Autism Center (CAC) certification requires that staff complete comprehensive training on autism awareness and strategies to accommodate autistic guests. This certification also involves regular recertification to ensure that staff maintain up-to-date knowledge. Hotels and resorts with this certification are equipped to provide a supportive and understanding environment for autistic travelers.

*Hotel Suggestion**: **Beaches Resorts** (e.g., Beaches Turks & Caicos) are renowned for their autism-friendly services and have achieved the CAC certification. They offer autism-friendly kids camps and low-sensory zones throughout the resort³.

Autism Double-Checked Certification

The Autism Double-Checked Certification ensures that travel businesses provide autism-specific resources and staff training. This certification focuses on preparing businesses to handle the unique needs of autistic travelers, such as offering visual guides and sensory-friendly spaces. By achieving this certification, hotels and resorts demonstrate their commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all guests.

*Hotel Suggestion**: **Karisma Hotels & Resorts** (e.g., Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya) have earned the Autism Double-Checked Certification and provide comprehensive autism-friendly amenities and staff training⁵.

Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue

Provided by KultureCity, the Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue certification aims to create inclusive spaces for people with sensory sensitivities, including those with autism. This certification involves comprehensive staff training and provides sensory bags, quiet areas, and signage to accommodate guests. Hotels and resorts with this certification are well-prepared to support guests with sensory processing challenges, making their stay more comfortable and enjoyable.

**Hotel Suggestion**: **LEGOLAND Resorts** are certified sensory inclusive venues, offering sensory guides, quiet rooms, and sensory bags to ensure a comfortable experience for autistic guests³.

Autism-Friendly Certification by the Champion Autism Network (CAN)

The Autism-Friendly Certification by the Champion Autism Network (CAN) involves training travel industry staff to understand and meet the needs of autistic individuals and their families. CAN-certified locations, like Myrtle Beach, offer various autism-friendly amenities and programs. This certification ensures that hotels and resorts are equipped to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for autistic travelers.

Hotel Suggestion**: **Myrtle Beach Resorts** are known for their autism-friendly certification by CAN, offering a range of amenities and programs tailored to autistic guests³.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program does not require formal certification but provides training and awareness for staff in airports, airlines, and other travel-related services. It uses the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard to discreetly identify individuals who may need additional support, making it easier for staff to assist autistic travelers. Hotels and resorts participating in this program show their dedication to inclusivity and support for all guests.

Hotel Suggestion**: **Hilton Hotels** participate in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, ensuring staff are trained to recognize and support guests with hidden disabilities, including autism³.

Creating Autism-Friendly Environments

Understanding the medical and psychological aspects of autism is essential for creating autism-friendly environments in hotels and resorts. Sensory kits, quiet areas, and autism-friendly amenities play a crucial role in making travel more manageable and enjoyable for autistic individuals. Sensory kits, for example, often include noise-canceling headphones, weighted lap pads, fidget toys, and other items that help manage sensory sensitivities and reduce anxiety.

By implementing these practices and achieving these certifications, hotels and resorts can lead the way in making travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. These efforts ensure that all guests feel welcome, understood, and supported, creating a more inclusive travel experience for all.

Conclusion

As a specialist in travel with autism, it’s heartening to see the strides being made by hotels and resorts worldwide to create more inclusive and supportive environments for autistic travelers. The certifications and training programs discussed—Certified Autism Center (CAC), Autism Double-Checked Certification, Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue, Autism-Friendly Certification by the Champion Autism Network (CAN), and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program—are leading the way in transforming the travel industry.

These certifications ensure that staff are well-trained in autism awareness and equipped with the knowledge and tools to accommodate the unique needs of autistic guests. From sensory kits and quiet areas to autism-friendly amenities and visual guides, these accommodations make a significant difference in the travel experience for individuals with autism and their families.

By achieving these certifications, hotels and resorts demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and support, ensuring that all guests feel welcome, understood, and comfortable. As more establishments adopt these practices, we can look forward to a future where travel is accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their sensory or communication needs.

In summary, the efforts of these certified establishments are not just about meeting standards but about genuinely understanding and supporting the diverse needs of their guests. This commitment to inclusivity is paving the way for a more compassionate and accommodating travel industry, making it possible for autistic individuals and their families to explore the world with confidence and ease.

Travel Providers

If you're a travel provider looking to make a meaningful impact, consider pursuing one of these autism-friendly certifications. By doing so, you'll not only enhance your services but also create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all guests.

Take the first step today

Explore Certification Options: Research the certifications mentioned—Certified Autism Center (CAC), Autism Double-Checked Certification, Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue, Autism-Friendly Certification by the Champion Autism Network (CAN), and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program.

Invest in Training: Ensure your staff are well-trained in autism awareness and equipped with the tools to support autistic travelers.

© 2024 Moms Boujee

Autism Double-Checked Certification

Introduction

Traveling can be a daunting experience for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) due to sensory sensitivities, communication challenges, and the need for routine. Autism Double-Checked, founded by Alan Day, is revolutionizing the travel industry by providing autism awareness training and certification programs for airlines, hotels, and travel businesses. This initiative aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for autistic travelers and their families.

Autism Spectrum Disorder affects approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States, presenting unique challenges in social communication and sensory processing. For autistic individuals, the sensory overload found in busy airports, unfamiliar environments, and changes in routine can lead to heightened anxiety and stress. Recognizing these challenges, Autism Double-Checked has developed a certification program to train travel providers in accommodating the needs of autistic guests.

© 2024 Moms Boujee

© 2024 Moms Boujee

© 2024 Moms Boujee

Sensory Sensitivities and Routine

Autistic individuals often experience sensory overload in environments like airports and crowded tourist attractions. Bright lights, loud noises, and unfamiliar smells can be overwhelming, leading to anxiety and potential meltdowns. Autism Double-Checked addresses these issues by training staff to recognize and mitigate sensory triggers, offering sensory-friendly accommodations, and providing quiet spaces.Routine and predictability are crucial for individuals with autism. Travel disrupts these routines, causing distress. The certification program emphasizes the importance of structured itineraries and pre-travel preparation, helping autistic travelers adjust to new environments with minimal stress.

Co-occurring Medical Conditions

Many autistic individuals have co-occurring conditions such as gastrointestinal issues or anxiety disorders, which can complicate travel. Autism Double-Checked-certified properties are equipped to handle these medical needs, providing dietary accommodations and access to medical care.

© 2024 Moms Boujee

Communication and Social Interaction

Communication barriers can make travel challenging for autistic individuals. Many have difficulties with verbal communication and interpreting social cues. Autism Double-Checked trains staff in effective communication strategies, ensuring that autistic travelers receive the support they need throughout their journey.

© 2024 Moms Boujee

In Closing

Autism Double-Checked is paving the way for a more inclusive travel industry. By providing a framework for autism-friendly accommodations and raising awareness about the needs of travelers on the spectrum, this initiative is making it possible for more families to experience the joy of travel together. As we move forward, it’s crucial that we continue to support and advocate for these inclusive practices, ensuring that the world of travel is truly open to everyone.

© 2024 Moms Boujee

Join the movement for autism-friendly travel. Whether you're a travel provider, a family member, or an advocate, you can help make travel more accessible for autistic individuals. Visit Autism Double-Checked's website to learn more about their programs and how you can get involved in creating a more inclusive travel experience. This article combines factual medical and psychological insights with practical solutions offered by Autism Double-Checked, aiming to inform and inspire action towards more inclusive travel practices.

© 2024 Moms Boujee

© 2024 Moms Boujee

6 Days 7 Night Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas Coco Bay Bahamas & Nassau

Imagine a vacation where the ocean is your playground, the staff knows your needs before you do, and every day is tailored to make sure everyone—especially your autistic child—feels at home.

Imaginary.

In reality, on a trip with or without autism, that ocean isn't a playground. Many of the staff know little English, and each day is tailored by a massive multimillion-dollar corporation with investors, shareholders, and stocks.

However, aboard Royal Caribbean's massive Symphony of the Seas, you can forget all those realities for a week.

As a mother navigating the world of autism-friendly travel, finding a destination that truly caters to my family's unique needs is a daunting and unrealistic task. But on this 7-day cruise in a floating city on the Atlantic Ocean, I discovered a luxurious haven that is inclusive and sensory-friendly. From fresh, modern staterooms to the dedicated staff who genuinely understand, this voyage wasn’t just a trip to the Bahamas—it was a reminder that the world is full of places where our children can thrive. Let me take you through our journey, where Symphony of the Seas exceeded our expectations and where they fell short.

© 2024 Moms Boujee

© 2024 Moms Boujee

© 2024 Moms Boujee

© 2024 Moms Boujee

© 2024 Moms Boujee

© 2024 Moms Boujee

© 2024 Moms Boujee

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