Home / Lifestyle / Autism Travel Breakthrough: Families Fly & Stay With Ease
Autism Travel Breakthrough: Families Fly & Stay With Ease
30 Jan
Summary
- Autism-certified brands create welcoming travel experiences for neurodiverse guests.
- Past travel was a 'nightmare' due to complaints about autistic behaviors.
- Specialized training helps staff accommodate guests with autism needs.
Families with autistic members often face significant challenges and hesitancy when traveling, with a study indicating around 78% feel reluctant to visit new locations. Past travel experiences for Flavia and her 16-year-old daughter Felicia were described as a "nightmare" due to frequent complaints from others about Felicia's autistic behaviors on planes and in hotels.
This situation began to change in July 2023 during a trip to New York City. The mother-daughter duo exclusively utilized brands that have achieved autism certification, a recognition signifying that organizations have trained their staff to better serve individuals with autism. This approach aims to make travel more inclusive and comfortable.
Brands in the travel industry are actively partnering with organizations like Autism Double-Check. This collaboration helps airlines, resorts, and hotels become more welcoming to neurodiverse guests. Flavia noted that during their stay at Virgin Hotel New York and flight with LATAM Airlines, staff consistently used Felicia's first name, making her feel acknowledged and valued.
