One of the Sesame Street characters at Beaches is Julia, a 4-year-old girl with autism.
For families who have a child with autism, traveling can sometimes be a challenge. According to the CDC, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Kids with autism often have problems with social communication and interaction and may have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.
Kids with autism often have sensitivity to smells and loud noises. Social situations can also be difficult and anxiety-provoking for them.
The good news is that resorts are starting to create programs specifically for kids with autism.
The staff at Beaches has gone through extensive training on what autism is and techniques to help ... [+]
Beaches Resorts has innovative programming for kids with special needs. In fact, the properties have launched the Caribbean’s first autism-friendly kids camps.
What does this mean? The staff is trained in several different areas, including sensory awareness (knowing that kids with autism can quickly feel overwhelmed by too much stimuli).
The staff has also been instructed on how to work with kids with autism who have motor challenges, as well as social and communication challenges. The staff has gone through extensive training on what autism is and techniques to help those with ASD including how to make a soothing and fun environment.
Additionally, all three Beaches resorts have low-sensory areas/zones for kids who need a minute to decompress. And what child could not benefit from that?
Beaches Turks and Caicos is an expansive resort with several pools, restaurants and accommodations.
Beaches has three different properties in the Caribbean: two in Jamaica—Beaches Negril and Beaches Ocho Rios—and one resort in Turks and Caicos. Beaches Turks and Caicos is the flagship property and the biggest and most expansive of the three.
According to the CDC, kids with autism often have delayed language skills so it’s hard to know what they want or need. They may be hyperactive, impulsive or have inattentive behavior. They often have GI issues (like being constipated), unusually eating or sleeping habits and unusual mood or emotional reactions. Without trained professionals overseeing kids with autism, these kids are often misunderstood and labeled as misbehaving.
Beaches is the first resort company in the world to complete the rigorous IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards) and Autism Certification, representing the gold standard in global cognitive disorder training and certification. In 2021, the brand became the only company in the world to recertify its credentials as an Advanced Certified Autism Center through the year 2023, with Beaches team members completing at least 40 hours of autism sensitivity training.
Parents can also request a One-on-One Beaches Buddy who has been accredited in advance autism ... [+]
So, how does it work? Parents can call a dedicated number to speak with Beaches’ Special Services Team, certified by IBCCES, during the planning stages of their vacation. The trained team can assist in recommending experiences and advise on specific suite locations to limit stimuli, request cleaning products to alleviate sensitivities to smells and even recommend the most convenient airport transportation to take.
Kids with autism may have specific dietary requirements or sensitivities to smells.
Through Beaches’ dedicated Culinary Concierge, families can pre-plan meals according to allergies and specific diets (many kids with autism are on specific diets including gluten-free). Parents can also request a One-on-One Beaches Buddy who has been accredited by IBCCES in advance autism training. This buddy can stay with the child for their entire stay or just for a few hours.
Beaches Resorts have also incorporated autism awareness and training into their Sesame Street offerings. One of the Sesame Street characters is Julia a 4-year-old girl with autism. Julia interacts with the other characters and the children through the activity Amazing Art with Julia. Through this activity Julia, who loves to paint, highlights how people can express themselves through art.
Families—even kids with autism—can explore scuba diving with a trained instructor.
One of the most popular programs at Beaches is their PADI-certified scuba diving lessons. These instructors have also been certified through IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards), with Beaches team members completing at least 40 hours of autism sensitivity training. The certification makes scuba diving at Beaches accessible for everyone because of the autism-certified staff.
Many individuals on the autism spectrum are drawn to water, and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (ASDF) highlights that swimming can help children on the spectrum improve speech, coordination and balance, social skills, self-esteem, cognitive processing, communication skills and oral motor skills.
Kids can have fun learning how to surf.
Often vacations can be a challenging time for families with a child with autism. Siblings may feel like their needs are not being met and parents of kids with ASD are hypervigilant at all times—which is not relaxing.
So knowing that a child is in good hands—either at a kid’s camp specially designed to meet their needs or with a one-on-one buddy trained in ASD—allows the whole family to enjoy their getaway.
