By Sandra Caplesc
For parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, coming up with ideas for a family vacation is exciting—and stressful. You dream of a magical time on the beach, but then you remember your autistic child never went on a vacation before. You start to wonder how he’ll react when you put him on a plane or when he sees crowded places. These troubling thoughts are what kept you away from planning anything special—until now.
Finding autism-friendly vacations is not that hard, especially now that autism awareness is on the rise. Planning a vacation dramatically alters everyone’s daily routines and, for a child with autism, this might be somewhat overwhelming. If he’s not ready for it, he might bolt out of the overwhelming situation or cause a fuss. Before selecting your vacation spot, why don’t you read these Tips for an Autism-Friendly Holiday Season to efficiently handle going on a vacation with your autistic child?
We all need a break. You might think that a vacation will only bring more stress and anxiety, but taking a family vacation is hugely beneficial. It provides a change of scenery, a time to bond as a family, and it gives a new experience for your child, even if it’s different from their routine. Besides, planning a family vacation takes a lot of time and effort to make it perfect.
Nowadays, going out with an autistic child is more accessible than before. More and more facilities offer autism-friendly services for the whole family. The hospitality industry is better equipped to help families with autistic children. Most hotels and resorts are creating programs and training staff to deal with guests with special needs. Museums, water parks, zoos, aquariums—all are committed to offering certified autism-friendly services. So finding a place to go on a family vacation is not that hard anymore.
10 Best Autism-Friendly Destinations
Be careful, though. One destination may work for a child, but it might not work for another. We’ve included a variety of places you can check that satisfy any budget or destinations you can visit in a day. Each of these destinations is autism-friendly and accommodates autistic children.
Let’s take a look.
Disney
Disney is a leader in entertainment, so you won’t be disappointed no matter where you go. While you might not think it’s a good idea since it’s crowded and active every day, Disney will go to great lengths to accommodate people with special needs. Disney cast members can assist those with cognitive, visual, hearing, and mobility disabilities and have quiet zones where autistic children can take a break. Their tagline is, after all, “The happiest place on Earth.” Alternatively, if your child likes Sesame Street, you can go to Sesame Place.
Yellowstone National Park
Welcome to the hydrothermal and geological wonder! If your child on the autism spectrum loves nature and animals, then Yellowstone National Park is undoubtedly a thrilling experience for your little one. Your youngster will see colorful hot springs, mud pots, and the famous Old Faithful geyser. These are all fascinating things to see, but be careful: some have a sulfur smell that might be disturbing. While the place has autism-friendly lodging, they tend to fill up quickly, so make sure you book in advance.
Morgan’s Wonderland
This is the first theme park where EVERYONE can play. It was born out of the heart of a person who wanted to create opportunities and places where those with disabilities and autism spectrum could come together for fun and better understand each other. Many are experiencing the sensation of flying through the air, so this amusement park offers more than 30 adaptive rides, playgrounds, and a water park. It even has an indoor sensory village that encourages creative play and a giant sand play area.
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is one of the best family vacation spots in the US. Beaches resorts bend over backward to offer families with children the best summer vacation. A beach vacation sounds fantastic in the summer, and it’s the perfect retreat where you can avoid stimulation. It’s also a certified autism center, making the city autism-friendly. A unique thing about Myrtle Beach is the CAN Card (Champion Autism Network), a no-questions-asked pass for families at places where overstimulation is an issue. You can use this card to skip lines, get private seating, or avoid check-in at hotels. Myrtle Beach has many sensory-friendly features, and you can find many quiet places beside the beach.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Royal Caribbean is the first autism-friendly cruise ride. In a fun yet controlled environment with various activities, your autistic child will surely enjoy the ride. Make sure to book in advance. The cruise has many modified kids programs, autism-friendly movies, and sensory toys available onboard. In addition, the staff members received training in autism awareness. The children can explore the different parts of the ship and relax in quiet and easily accessible rooms.
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is a wonderful autism-friendly destination if your child loves animals and wildlife. There is a lot to see, and since animals don’t like crowds either, there are plenty of quiet zones where your kid can admire the animals without overstimulating. The zoo also has an Easy Access Pass. With it, you can skip lines and receive information about appropriate rides and attractions.
TradeWinds Island Resort
It’s one of the only five hotels in America declared autism-friendly by the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities. Staff members are trained in autism awareness and are always willing to lend a hand and a worry-free experience for the entire family. The resort offers many family-friendly amenities, such as a water park, pirate show, parasailing, and dolphin-spotting cruises. The hotels provide safety kits, and the doors have safety alarms to prevent wandering.
Snow Mountain Ranch
More of a resort than a ranch, this place is perfect for spending time around animals. Horseback riding is therapeutic for children with autism, and the programs are designed to entertain kids. You can let your child’s imagination run wild while running with the huskies, learning about the great outdoors, or building forts. And even if the cooking is traditional cowboy-style, dietary adjustments can be made quickly. This camping experience is perfect for your little explorer.
Splore
Splore is great for an outdoor adventure that has no match. This non-for-profit program provides wonderful experiences at affordable prices for families with children on the autism spectrum. The staff organizes events such as rock climbing, river rafting, horse rides, hikes, mountain biking, and scenic flights. Special accommodations can be made at mealtimes, so everyone is happy.
LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND Florida has recently partnered with Autism Speaks to become entirely dedicated to autistic people. There is a quiet space where there are a lot of sensory-stimulating activities for those who need it. Of course, staff members receive training in autism awareness and sensitivity, and passes can be arranged.
Make New Memories
It’s normal to feel pressured and worry about ten million things. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on stuff your child won’t enjoy. But it’s imperative to have fun. You never know what your child will like, so it’s best to explain beforehand what he should expect and what he can see. More and more destinations understand the importance of an autism-friendly approach, so it takes a load off your back.
Your dream vacation is waiting for you—you have to search for it!