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Traveling with your family can be exhilarating, but because people with autism often struggle with changes in routine, going on vacation can also be taxing. That's why we asked Jamie Davis Smith—a writer and parent of four, including two kids with autism—to share her favorite autism-friendly family vacations, with sensory-sensitive attractions, quiet spaces, and thoughtful accommodations designed with neurodiverse families in mind. #autismtravel #familytravel #neurodiversetravel #traveltipsforfamilies

CHAPTERS
0:00 – Intro
1:18 – Hotels and resorts
2:28 – Cruises
3:13 – Cities
4:04 – Theme parks

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/43iZQt5
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CREDITS
Jamie Davis Smith - Host
Jonathan Kramer - Video Editor
Tiana Attride - Senior Editor, Social and Video
Elizabeth See - Designer
Sarika Bansal - Editorial Director
Michelle Heimerman - Photo Editor

MUSIC
"Keep On Running - Instrumental" by The Light The Heat
"Here We Go feat. We Lepers" by Ivywild

FOOTAGE / PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith
Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort footage courtesy of Hyatt Hotels
Additional footage courtesy of Shutterstock, Videvo, Storyblocks

Category

🏖
Travel
Transcript
00:00Hi Afar, this is Jamie Davis-Smith. I travel frequently with my four children, two of whom
00:06are autistic. My family loves traveling, but changes in routine, new sights, sounds, and tastes,
00:13and the general unpredictability of being away from home can be trying for my kids and other
00:18people with autism. Our solution? We look for autism certified vacation destinations.
00:24Before we get started, today's video is sponsored by Visit Myrtle Beach.
00:28I want you to take the next few seconds and picture yourself in Myrtle Beach. You're warm,
00:34relaxed, and incredibly content. Now let's get you there. Head to visitmyrtlebeach.com
00:39to start planning your trip today. Visiting autism certified places has been a game changer for my
00:45family. Several organizations like IBCCES and Autism Double Checked help designations from hotels to
00:54entire cities become autism friendly. They offer tools like sensory guides and social stories so
01:01that guests know what to expect and train staff to help them understand that requests for quiet rooms
01:06or special diets aren't just preferences. They're a vital part of a smooth trip for guests with autism.
01:13Here are some of our favorite tried and true vacations. Resorts are a great vacation choice
01:20for my family and many people with autism. Staying in one place helps my kids quickly adjust to their
01:27surroundings, food, and activities. Plus, we're never far from our room if they need time to decompress.
01:33Autism certified beaches resorts in Turks and Caicos and Jamaica are among our favorite vacation spots.
01:40All beaches resorts are autism certified, meaning staff, including those in kids camps,
01:45receive advanced training in autism, communication, and sensory awareness. For more support, beaches can
01:52provide individualized care with a qualified nanny. Plus, Julia, a non-verbal Sesame Street character
01:59with autism, often joins a kids camp to help kids feel more comfortable. And a culinary concierge can
02:06create custom menus for picky eaters. If you want to go a little farther afield, the picturesque Hyatt Regency
02:13Akaba Alia Resort on the Dead Sea in Jordan is another great autism certified choice. There,
02:19staff is trained to support guests with autism with sensory kits and aids such as headphones and fidgets,
02:25which are available to make their stay more comfortable. Cruises are another great option
02:31for people with autism since there are so many activities and restaurants available without ever
02:36leaving the familiar environment of the ship if you don't want to. Plus, there is easy access to
02:42your quiet stateroom if you need a break. But there's an even better way for people with autism to
02:48cruise, Autism on the Seas. This organization partners with Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity,
02:54and Disney, among other cruise lines to provide trained staff, sensory-friendly events, and extra
03:00support like priority boarding, special meals, and autism-friendly shore excursions on select,
03:07regularly scheduled sailings. There are also entire autism certified cities where key hotels, attractions,
03:15and businesses are trained to support travelers with autism. For example, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,
03:22you'll find autism certified hotels, events, water parks, museums, botanical gardens, and even go-kart tracks,
03:29as well as Surfside Beach, one of the few beaches in the world to hold an official sensory-friendly designation.
03:37Dubai also received autism certification in 2025. Several major attractions in the city are autism certified,
03:46including the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, Atlantis Dubai, and the Dubai Aquarium,
03:52as well as hotels like Atlantis The Royal and The Palm. Emirates Airline, which is based out of the city,
03:58is even on track to become the first autism certified airline. Autism certified theme parks are also
04:05great for families. Great Wolf Lodge, Six Flags America, and Legoland Resorts are all autism certified.
04:12That means that kids with autism and their families don't need to miss out on these quintessential
04:17childhood experiences. My family has visited several autism certified theme parks, and we appreciate the
04:24compassionate staff, low sensory areas, and the ability to find out in advance if attractions have
04:30bright lights or loud sounds that might bother my kids. Travel may look a little different for people
04:36with autism, but trips can be just as fun if you choose your designation carefully. Looking for autism
04:42certified locations is a great place to start. Let us know in the comments if you plan on checking out
04:48any of these autism certified designations or if there are any others you recommend. Thanks so much for
04:54watching, happy exploring, and see you next time.