Planning a vacation with your child with autism or sensory needs should be exciting, not stressful! Fortunately, more hotels and resorts are stepping up to create autism-friendly experiences with trained staff and inclusive programs so your entire family can relax and enjoy the getaway.
1. Beaches Resorts (Jamaica & Turks & Caicos) 🌴
Certified: Advanced Certified Autism Center (ACAC)
Beaches Resorts is the first all-inclusive resort company in the world to become an Advanced Certified Autism Center (ACAC). This means their staff is trained to understand autism and sensory sensitivities, making travel stress-free for families.
What makes it autism-friendly?
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Quiet spaces to relax if sensory overload occurs
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Specialized kids’ camp with trained staff
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Dietary accommodations for picky eaters
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Personalized service to meet each family's needs
Learn more: Beaches Autism-Friendly Resorts
2. Great Wolf Lodge (Multiple U.S. Locations) 🐺
Certified: Certified Autism Center (CAC)
If your family loves water parks, Great Wolf Lodge is a dream come true. Their Certified Autism Center (CAC) status means they’ve worked with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to create a sensory-friendly environment.
What makes it autism-friendly?
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Sensory guides for each attraction so you know what to expect
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Trained staff to assist with special needs
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Low sensory activity spaces for downtime
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Customizable experiences so families can plan the best visit
Find a location near you: Great Wolf Lodge
3. LEGOLAND Resorts (Florida & California) 🧱
Certified: Certified Autism Center (CAC)
For LEGO lovers, this is the ultimate vacation spot! LEGOLAND Florida & LEGOLAND California are Certified Autism Centers, ensuring that every guest, regardless of neurodiversity, can enjoy the fun without the stress.
What makes it autism-friendly?
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Quiet rooms with noise-canceling headphones
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Special sensory guides for rides and attractions
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Staff trained in autism awareness
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Skip-the-line passes for families who need them
Plan your LEGO adventure: LEGOLAND Florida | LEGOLAND California
4. Sesame Place (Pennsylvania & California) 🎡
Certified: Certified Autism Center (CAC)
Sesame Street is all about inclusion, and Sesame Place brings that spirit to life with its Certified Autism Center status. This theme park-hotel hybrid is packed with sensory-friendly accommodations for little ones.
What makes it autism-friendly?
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Quiet rooms for sensory breaks
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Low-sensory parade viewings
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Staff trained in interacting with autistic children
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Ride accessibility guides
Plan your trip: Sesame Place
5. Karisma Hotels & Resorts (Mexico & Caribbean) 🏖️
Certified: Autism Double-Checked Approved
Karisma Hotels & Resorts goes above and beyond by offering an Autism Concierge and having staff complete Autism Double-Checked training to better assist families traveling with autistic children.
What makes it autism-friendly?
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Dedicated Autism Concierge for personalized support
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Staff trained through Autism Double-Checked courses
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Sensory-friendly environments in family-friendly resorts
Explore Karisma Resorts: Karisma Hotels
6. Dolphin Suites and Wellness (Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean) 🐬
Certified: Autism-Friendly Accommodations
Dolphin Suites is a small-scale boutique hotel designed to cater to guests with special needs, including those with autism.
What makes it autism-friendly?
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Spacious, calming rooms for sensory-sensitive travelers
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Special accommodations to meet individual needs
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Close to dolphin therapy centers
Book your stay: Dolphin Suites
7. Tradewinds Island Resorts (St. Pete Beach, Florida) 🌊
Certified: Autism-Friendly Resort
Located in St. Pete Beach, Florida, Tradewinds offers a relaxing, inclusive experience with special amenities for families with autistic children.
What makes it autism-friendly?
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Room safety kits to ensure a secure environment
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Quiet spaces for sensory breaks
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Staff trained in autism awareness
Plan your beach vacation: Tradewinds Resort
🎉 At Sense-ational You, we believe everyone deserves to experience the joy of travel just like they deserve to experience the joy of comfort in our clothes!
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