Have Autism, Will Travel: Lara Sandora, Advocate, and Pernell Wint, Beaches Resorts

As summer approaches, we are happy to feature two perspectives on traveling with autism. First we speak with Lara Sandora, a parent advocate, travel blogger, and special needs vacation home provider. She and Jill discuss "tips and tricks" for traveling with severe autism, including air travel, choosing a destination, and simplifying along the way.
Then we speak with Pernell Wint, a Business Development Manager with Unique Vacations which operates the Beaches Resorts chain in the Caribbean. The Beaches resorts located in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos are certified Autism Centers with trained staff and onsite amenities that cater to autism families.
Lara also wishes to add: Individuals with disabilities have free access to all National Parks, and also free/discounted admissions to some State parks/systems. If the individual has a disabled parking placard then there may be parking areas, roads, and/or campgrounds that are specifically accessible only to those with placards that may also make this type of travel more accessible.
Links:
Lara's Travel Blog: www.thepieceof...
Vacation Home in Kona, HI: www.konacoastv...
Beaches Resorts: www.beaches.com
Beaches Autism Progam: www.beaches.co...
Contact Pernell: [e-mail]
AutismConfidential.org/
A podcast sponsored by:
National Council on Severe Autism nscautism.org/

[@jk6919]

We travel, to a certain extent, with Kiddo. We don't use service providers when we travel.
Our adjustments include:
-Preplan everything. I even pre plan down to how we will eat food Kiddo wants while we are out.
-Have a plan for what to do if it completely tanks.
-Travel by car. We don't fly, though we have tried a plane travel test. He did well, but back to the first point, I don't have a plan if something goes wrong on a plan. We have tested trains, but by car has been cheaper for us.
-We pack all of his stuff. He always has more luggage just in stuff that the rest of us combined. He has two bags for which he is "responsible" (stuff animal bag and a small pull case) which gives him something to focus on.
-We always plan to start brief, but extent extend out.
-We communicate our needs to staff. We have been amazed at how willing various museums, amusement parks, parks, and historic sites have been to help us experience differently.
The big point is being willing to fail. We've had trips just tank, we've had major meltdowns. But we've also been surprised. Turns out Kiddo *loves* Colonial Wiliamsburg. The first few times, we only did outside activities....but on one trip he was insistent on going in with the other people. I was on edge, but told him we had to keep our hands behind out backs...and he did it. We ended up going into each building from then on and visiting other sites. (Oddly, the Brother House at Old Salem still sets him off).
COVID put a crime in our style, but I do find the more we adventure out, the better he handles being out.
Kiddo isn't a runner; however, his service dog is trained to search to for him if he were to ever wander. She is also trained to stay with him of they were ever to get separated from us, and bark on command.
I will have to look into Beaches. It sounds wonderful. Maybe with enough support we could swing a flight.
Kiddo's favorite places are Disneyworld, amusement parks (especially Scarwinds) and historic sites.sited. We generally see about 6 weeks of improved behavior after a Disney trip.

[@ckboss56]

So great to hear about accommodations for autism travel!! Didn't know about TSA Cares. I always put my son in a wheelchair when we get to the airport. He likes it and it keeps him contained and quiet.

[@eScential]

There are only children to accomodate😢