It’s one thing to say your business is “autism friendly,” but it’s another to walk the walk versus simply talk the talk. Recent trends show travelers are prioritizing authenticity, and they expect the people and companies they work with to do the same. In response, theme parks, destinations and attractions are prioritizing their commitment to visitors with autism and other sensory needs by turning to the experts at the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to train their staff, create soothing spaces and provide resources to help visitors prepare and feel comfortable.
For travel advisors, working with clients who have special needs can provide an opportunity to go above and beyond their agency’s traditional booking standards and strategies by diving deeper into research and getting even more strategic with planning. Helping along the way are Certified Autism Centers (CAC), vetted organizations that know just what it takes to create complete inclusion and acceptance in the fast-growing market of travel for those with special needs.
Certified Autism Center FAQs and Tips for Travel Advisors
What Are Certified Autism Centers?
According to IBCCES, a CAC is a facility or organization that has proven that at least 80% of its staff is highly trained, fully equipped and certified in the field of autism. CACs can range in specialties like education, healthcare, entertainment, transportation, government and safety, hospitality and tourism and more, and their staff is committed to continuing training and education in the field.
In addition to helping organizations and facilities become CAC certified, the IBCCES also offers training and certification for individuals interested in becoming a certified Autism Travel Professional — perfect for travel advisors! Upon completing the course, Autism Travel Professionals are added to an online directory and given access to breakdowns outlining the target market and sales tactics.
Tips for Qualifying Neurodivergent Clients
It’s important for travel advisors to have all the essential details when working with neurodivergent travelers. During their first meeting with a potential client, advisors should ask qualifying questions surrounding processing issues, motor skills and the need for special devices to get to know their client’s specific needs. If they’re working with a parent(s) of a neurodivergent child, advisors can ask them how their child communicates: do they speak, require a communication device or use other methods of communication? Similarly, advisors can ask if the child prefers high or low sensory input and inquire about any food allergies, sensitivities or preferences they should be aware of.
Helping Travelers Get There
When working with individuals with special needs, it’s essential for advisors to be accommodating and adaptable throughout the varying stages of the booking process. Every vacation, family and itinerary is unique, which is why some advisors like Nicole Thibault, founder of Magical Storybook Travels, have taken an a la carte approach to working with special needs individuals.
“Familiarizing clients with their vacation before they even leave is how I help the families I work with overcome anxiety about travel,” said Thibault in a 2022 interview for The Compass magazine. “Sometimes they’re nervous about what the bathroom will look like in the hotel. Sometimes they’re looking for a restaurant with chicken nuggets on their menu and that’s what will make or break their decision on destinations to visit.”
In the spirit of preparation, another way advisors can help their neurodivergent clients is by staging travel practice runs, something The Arc, a nationwide nonprofit advocating for people with disabilities, can assist with through its Wings for Autism program, an initiative where families and individuals can do airport “rehearsals” alongside staff prior to flying. Advisors can look for local chapters of The Arc near their clients to learn when upcoming rehearsals are scheduled.
Certified Autism Centers Around the World
This list is a short collection of the various Certified Autism Centers around the world. For a full, searchable list of other CACs, visit autismtravel.com.
In the US
- Arizona
- Butterfly Wonderland
- Hohokam Stadium
- The City of Mesa
- The City of Tempe
- The City of Tolleson
- California
- LEGOLAND California Resort
- Santa Barbara Zoo
- Sesame Place San Diego
- The City of Scotts Valley
- The City of Visalia
- The Greater Palm Springs Area
- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- Colorado
- Denver Zoo
- Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station
- Florida
- Aquatica Orlando
- Discovery Cove Orlando
- LEGOLAND Florida Resort
- Peppa Pig Theme Park
- Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando
- Georgia
- Georgia Aquarium
- Summer Waves Water Park
- Indiana
- Fort Wayne Zoo
- Michigan
- Great Lakes Children’s Museum
- Michigan Legacy Art Park
- The City of Traverse City
- Minnesota
- Mall of America
- Nickelodeon Universe
- Nevada
- Dinosaur Outpost
- LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta
- Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart
- New Mexico
- Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return
- New York
- LEGOLAND New York Resort
- Ohio
- The City of Sylvania
- Oklahoma
- Six Flags Frontier City
- Pennsylvania
- Hershey’s Chocolate World
- Texas
- Fort Worth Zoo
- Houston Zoo
- Meow Wolf Houston | Radio Tave
In the Caribbean
- Ramon’s Village Resort, Belize
- Beaches Resorts, Negril
- Beaches Resorts, Turks & Caicos
In Canada
- Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Toronto
In Dubai
- Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark
- Atlantis, The Palm
- Aventura Parks
- Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
- Dubai Ice Rink
- KidZania Dubai
- LEGOLAND Dubai Resort
- Mercedes-Benz Off-Road Experience Center
- Motiongate Dubai
- Play DXB
- Real Madrid World
- Sky Views Dubai
- The Green Planet
- The View Palm Jumeirah
- woo-hoo! Children’s Museum Dubai
In Asia
- LEGOLAND Japan Resort
- LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
- Water World Ocean Park Hong Kong
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