Traveling with a child who has ADHD, autism, or other special needs, can feel like a rollercoaster—nonstop movement, sudden changes, sensory overloads everywhere. These kids are creative, compassionate, and have so much going for them, but sometimes little things make their world a little tough. I have one of these kids, and airports can be the worst: long lines, loud announcements, packed terminals. Waiting. Waiting.
Even when we start a trip with the best intentions, things can unravel with meltdowns and other problems that can create an isolating feeling like no one really gets what you’re going through. When we traveled with my son when he was younger, on many occasions our friends didn’t understand what we were dealing with. But recently I found out that a trip to a Beaches Resort can feel like a total game-changer, for parents and kids both. I think it’s great that a company has put the effort in to help all of us.
Beaches is a family-friendly resort, and they really walk the talk when it comes to supporting special-needs families. They’re actually the first resort company in the world to earn the Advanced Certified Autism Center™ (ACAC) designation from IBCCES. You can check it out on their website. What it means is, most of their staff have been trained to understand autism—things like sensory needs, communication styles, social things, and emotional regulation.
Here’s how they do it. From the minute you book, expect things are going to be different. First, you fill out a pre-arrival form sharing your child’s likes, dislikes, triggers, and needs. This helps the staff personalize everything—from picking the right room to planning activities that works for you. When you arrive, you will be introduced to your “Beaches Buddy,” a staff member specially trained to help you and your child have a great experience. They are with you the whole trip, helping with everything. This includes the waterpark, doing crafts, or finding a quiet spot to regroup. They go out of their way to make the kids feel included. And all of this is included in the price you pay for the resort!
These Autism-friendly resorts (they have them in Turks & Caicos, and Negril, Jamaica) are all about being sensory-friendly. They have informational guides that rate each area based on sensory input—so you can choose what works best for your child on any given day. The Kids Camp is also ACAC-certified, with a staff who really gets it and know how to work with kids on the spectrum. And if you have a child with food allergies, or other issues, the culinary concierge makes sure you have food that meets your kid’s dietary needs without any stress or drama, too.
Overall, Beaches Resorts offer parents a kind of peace of mind. You can just relax, and not worry if your child is doing well on the property. You get a chance to enjoy time together as a family, and they deliver a vacation you always hoped for. My son is older now, so he’s enjoying traveling on his own, but he would have loved to have had access to all the fun things that would make his vacation time better. It’s all about feeling comfortable in your surroundings, especially for children with different perspectives.
You can read more about Beaches Resorts’ accomplishments on their website. And if you need help booking a vacation, please reach out to me. I’m all about helping people make “perfect” memories and fun adventures. Enjoy your relaxing sunset.
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