Defoes Lifestyle Travel Team

Blog featuring travel tips, packing guides, videos and photography from around the world.

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Where to go if you have an autistic child

When a child has autism, it can be hard for that child’s family to travel. Autism spectrum disorder (also known as ASD) is a form of developmental disability that, according to the CDC, is brought on by changes in the brain. Autism makes it hard for kids to talk to each other and get along with others. They may also have different ways to learn, move, and pay attention.

Kids with autism are often sensitive to smells and loud noises. They can also be difficult and cause anxiety in social situations.

The encouraging news is that vacation spots are beginning to offer specialised programming for children with autism.

Beaches Resorts has fun and creative programmes for kids with special needs. In fact, the properties have set up the first camps in the Caribbean for kids with autism.

What does it mean? The staff is trained in a variety of areas, such as sensory awareness. The staff has also been taught how to help kids with autism who have trouble with their motor skills, social skills, and communication. The staff has had a lot of training on what autism is and how to help people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), such as how to make a fun and relaxing environment.

Also, all three beach resorts have places where kids can go to calm down for a while. And what child would that not help?

Three different resorts are owned by Beaches in the Caribbean. Beaches Turks and Caicos are in Turks and Caicos. Beaches Negril and Beaches Ocho Rios are both in Jamaica. Beaches Turks and Caicos are the most well-known of the three. It’s also the largest and most spread out.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that kids with autism don’t usually learn to talk until they are older. This makes it hard to know what they want or need. They may be too busy, too quick to act, or not pay attention. They often have problems with their digestive system, like being constipated.

They also eat or sleep in strange ways and have strange moods or emotional responses. When trained adults aren’t watching over autistic kids, they are often misunderstood and called bad kids.

Beaches are the first resort company in the world to pass the rigorous IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards) and Autism Certification, which is the gold standard for training and certification for cognitive disorders around the world. Beaches are the only business in the world that has been recertified as an Advanced Certified Autism Center through the year 2023. This happened in 2021. Members of the Beaches team had to spend at least 40 hours learning how to treat people with autism with care.

So, how does it work? Parents can call a special number to talk to Beaches’ certified Special Services Team as they plan their trip. The trained staff can suggest activities and tell you where to put your suit to limit stimuli. You can also ask for cleaning products to help with smell sensitivity, and they can even tell you the best way to get to the airport.

With the help of Beaches’ Culinary Concierge, families with allergies or special diets can plan meals ahead of time (many kids with autism are on specific diets, including gluten-free). Parents can also ask for an IBCCES-approved one-on-one Beach Buddy who has been trained in autism. This friend can stay with the child for the whole time or just for a few hours.

Beaches Resorts’ Sesame Street programmes now include training and information about autism. Julia, who is four years old and has autism, has a part on Sesame Street. Julia gets to talk to the other characters and the kids through Amazing Art with Julia. Julia, who likes to paint, uses this activity to show how art can help people show who they are.

One of the most popular things to do at Beaches is the PADI-certified scuba diving lessons. These teachers have also been approved by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The Beaches team has also spent at least 40 hours learning how to treat people with autism with care. Everyone can go scuba diving at Beaches because the staff is trained to work with people who have autism.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (ASDF) says that swimming can help children on the spectrum improve their speech, coordination, balance; social skills; self-esteem; cognitive processing; communication skills; and oral motor skills. Many people on the spectrum are drawn to water.

Vacations can be hard for the whole family when one child has autism. Siblings of kids with ASD may feel like their needs aren’t being met, and their parents may always be on high alert, which isn’t relaxing.

The whole family can go on vacation if the autistic child is at a camp designed to meet her needs or with a one-on-one buddy who has been trained in ASD.