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!
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