- Welcome Message and select excerpts of our first year blog
- Our New Blog
- Contact us
- Travel Advice
- Guidelines for travel agents
- Flying-all you need to know before you book your next plane ticket>
- Cruising-planning the perfect cruise>
- Car Travel
- Traveling by bus...in style
- Hotels-Creating the ideal autistic friendly hotel room>
- Packing -101>
- Ask away -Autistic Globetrotting Free advice service>
- Tid bits-travel advice from our readers in 100 words or less
- Autistic Travels' Golden Rules
- Guidelines for travel agents
- Autisticals-a personal view of autistic travel
- US 10 best in
- The 10 best of Boston
- The best 10 of Hilton Head,South Carolina
- The 10 best of New York
- The 10 best of Alaska
- The 10 best of Texas-San Antonio and Galveston
- The 10 best of Santa Fe and the surroundings
- The 10 best of Arizone-Grand Canyon
- The 10 best of Colonial Williamsburg,Jamestown and surroundinds
- The 10 best of Washington D.C.
- The 10 best of Las Vegas
- The 10 best of Boston
- International 10 best
- Mini autisticals- the darnest travel stories you'll hear
- The Sleeps-our biased and un biased hotel reviews
- The Eats-Tasty challenges from around the globe
- The Shops-what you can buy next
- Collector's Corner-How did these travel trinkets become a collection
- Recommended products
- Giveaways
- Monthly news roundup
- Interviews
- Q&A with Jackie Longino founder of Aspietravel
- Q&A with Tal managing director of ALUTEVA-autistic hotel in Israel
- Eva Bronstein-Greenwald-special needs travel agent and founder of We Belong
- Q&A with Trip it's
- Q&A with David Intercontinental Tel Aviv
- Keri Bowers- film producer of 'Normal people scare me'
- Jamie Grover-Autism on the seas
- Peter Shears
- Clive-guide dog extraordinaire
- John Brown of 'Devyn and Dad' -an inspirational adventure across the United States
- Rose Niehaus Olsen Morris inventor of the safety sleeper bed
- Annette White,counselor for Camp Autism
- Colin Brennan-Canada's new singing sensation
- Dennis Debbaudt-autism safety expert
- Gisela Sedlmayer- author of 'Talon'
- Q&A with Jackie Longino founder of Aspietravel
- Inspirational travel stories by our guest writers
- Danette Schott's-Revisiting family vacations
- Brian R. King-Meltdown at the airport
- Joy's visit to the Aquarium
- Denise Klipsic-An incredible encounter with Princess Tiana
- Tanya Savko- Hope on a river
- Tiffany Robison-Great Wolf Lodge
- Fiona Westner Ramsay -Making-room-for-autism-in-your-canoe
- Laura Shumacher-Traveling with autism: a true story
- Phyllis Fanzo Lombardi-s -Vacation Time with Joey
- Kristina Chew-18 Miles On the Bikes At the Beach
- Jeff Katz-Chicago
- Margaret Ann Franklin's visit to the Great Northern Carousel in Helena Montana
- Claire Sarcone-Chessington the aspie way
- Elaine Hall-Tips for summer vacation
- Steve LHeureux -Autism "Outings" need to be planned and appropriate
- Kelly Green-The Gardens of Gilroy
- Wolfie Blue-Tips I learnt by traveling with my family
- Gluten free Disney cruise experience
- Danette Schott's-Revisiting family vacations
- North,Central and South America-pictures,videos and AG's tips
- Arizona,The Grand Canyon
- Alaska Cruise-USA and Canada
- Florida,Orlando-Universal Studios-looking for Harry Potter
- Florida,Orlando-Macy's mini parade in Universal Studios
- Florida-Everglades Park ,Miami,Key West
- Hawaii's big island with a glimpse of Pearl Harbor
- Louisiana,New Orleans-French Quarter,Christmas Parade,Nanchez Steamboat
- Louisiana,New Orleans-in the footsteps of Katrina,Garden district
- Massachussetts-Boston ,New England Coastal towns of NH and Maine
- New York-NYC
- New Mexico-Santa Fe and Bandoliers National Park
- Pennsylvania-Philadelphia
- Texas-San Antonio and Galveston
- Canada-Niagara Falls,Montreal,Quebec,Toronto
- Caribbean-Bahamas- the Atlantis resort
- Caribbean-Castaway Cay-Disney's bahamian paradise
- Caribbean-Roatan,Honduras>
- Caribbean-Grand Caymans-Hell,Turtles,Wild Hens and Stingrays>
- Mexico-Cabo San Lucas(Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Puerta Vallarta (Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Acapulco and Manzanillo
- Mexico-Mazatlan(Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Playa del Carmen's Xcaret eco park>
- Mexico-Tulum and XelHa Eco Park
- Yucatan,Mexico- Chichen Itza,Cozumel's Paradise Beach
- Arizona,The Grand Canyon
- Europe,Asia,Australia and New Zealand,Cruise ships-pictures,videos and AG's tips
- Australia-Sydney and Melbourne
- Austria-Salzburg
- Belgium-Antwerp ,Brussels
- Canary Islands-Lazarote
- Croatia-the walled town of Dubrovnik
- Denmark-Copenhagen
- France-Normandy's D day beaches>
- France- Cannes,Nice,Eze
- France-Paris
- Finland,Helsinki
- Germany-Munich,Dachau
- Germany-Romantic Road
- Ireland-Dublin
- Ireland -Cork,Blarney,Kinsale>
- N. Ireland-Belfast>
- N. Ireland's Giant Causeway
- N.Ireland-Carrick -a -Rede-rope bridge>
- Italy-Venice,Pompeii,Rome
- Italy-Florence,Messina and Taoramina
- Israel-Jerusalem>
- Israel-Masada and the Dead Sea>
- Israel-Tel Aviv>
- Morocco-Casablanca
- New Zealand-Rotarua
- New Zealand-Fjord Park,Dunedin,Christchurch
- New Zealand - Auckland and sheep farm
- The Netherlands-Amsterdam,Delft,The Hague,Rotterdam,Madurodam
- Sweden-Stockholm and the Archipelago
- Russia-St Petersburg's Palaces
- Scotland-Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh
- Scotland-Edinburgh>
- Scotland-Inverness>
- Scotland-Loch Lommond,Luss,Sottish sheep show>
- Spain-Barcelona
- Spain-Cadiz and Seville
- Spain-The Alhambra Palace,view of Malaga
- Tasmania-Hobart
- UK-Liverpool and the Beatles>
- UK-London>
- UK-Stonehenge,Bath,Warwick Castle,Stratford on Avon,Oxford
- UK-Guernsey>
- Carnival -Legend
- Aboard the Carnival Legend
- Carnival -Ecstasy
- Carnival- Fascination
- Carnival Spirit
- Celebrity-Century
- Crown Princess>
- Sapphire Princess
- Royal Caribbean-Brilliance of the Seas
- Royal Caribbean-Mariner of the Seas (parades)
- Royal Caribbean- Mariner of the Seas
- Australia-Sydney and Melbourne
- Monthly guest's -Travel videos and pictures
- Web sites and blogs we follow
- Face Book discussions
- Guest Book
Creating the ideal autistic friendly hotel room
As Autism Awareness grows within the travel industry, many hotel managers have approached me asking for advice on how to make their establishment more autistic friendly. Although there is no exact formula to fit all autistic globetrotters nor for that matter hotel budgets, here are some useful guidelines that I thought might successfully accommodate most.
Safety-in general
Safety is the number one concern on multiple levels for parents and hotel management, as many autistic globetrotters can become disoriented in a new environment and react adversely to unknown situations. In today's world filled with the latest electronic gadgets it might become important for parents to invest in a personal GPS system, especially for the non verbal wandering traveler. The more affordable alternative the hotel can offer is to have the AG wear a lanyard or plastic bracelet with the hotel address.
Room-Preventing unplanned wandering
Unfortunately the exit door can be an attraction to some AGs, so an alarm or other noisealerting device on all exit doors, as well as a way to safely lock the door from the inside with a code or key would be best.
Preventing unintentional or intentional falls
One should never voluntarily put an AG in a room with a balcony or windows that fully open, but if the hotel or resort has only balcony rooms, then a keyed lock must be placed on the door leading to the balcony. Rooms with opening windows should also be equipped with a keyed lock, not just a regular window lock.
Room-interior
AG present two types of decorating challenges namely motor challenges that can render them clumsy or unstable resulting in them bumping into objects, along with unpredictable meltdowns during which they might use objects to harm others or themselves.
With these two issues in mind any and all type furniture.Mirrors, standingglass lamps and decorations, should be avoided, while TV and wall pictures should be securely bolted when planning a room that is autistic friendly.
In the bathroom. glass enclosures can be a liability and if they're already installed several vertical hand rails in the shower areas should be installed .Two mats should be supplied, rubber anti slip for the shower and a softer towel like one to wipe feet outside the shower to prevent the floor from becoming slippery.
Sensory IssuesTemperature
Most AG are temperature sensitive so the thermostat in the room should be adjusted according to their specific need;, assuming there is a central air conditioning/heating system .Additional fans or heating elements can help too. If the AG's bed is too far or too close to the room vent or window, adjust bed placement accordingly.
Light
If the AG is light sensitive adjust bed position or if cost effective install double curtains in the room.
A powerful built in night light is useful if the AG walks to the bathroom so he or she does not bump into anything
Noise
Many AG are sound sensitive so the room offered should be a quiet one-away from elevators, laundry areas, noisy stairs, busy streets and even ice machines as much as possible.AG rooms should face courtyardsor gardens, never streets, swimming pools or any kind of sports court. As AG can be quite noisy themselves a room at the very end of the corridor is usually best. The addition of a sound machine can be somewhat helpful too.
Food
Many AG take medicines and might be on specific diets so a room refrigerator is quite the necessity for water, snacks and then some. Have vending machines on the property if at all possible.
TV-
Block the porn channels for the AG kids and try to offer at least one if not more cartoon channel. Added bonus could be a DVD player with a small DVD library at the reception area.
Allergies
Many AG have allergies, so the room should be as hypoallergenic as possible-always a non smoking and no feathers
.For special food diets see our page on cruising with allergies.
.
Hygiene
Many AG have problems washing themselves independently so rooms with tub-shower combos are a good idea. Assume nothing- so if your establishment has anything different than a sink and toilet in the bathroom such as a bidet or Japanese style toilet then have a staff member introduce the AG to its particular use.
Offering a vending machine with small items such as tooth paste, deodorant and especially hand sanitizer might be a great idea since most parents to autistic kids are stressed and are bound to forget to pack an essential item or two that they might need in the middle of the night.
Offer Extra towels, sheets
Some AG may require extra housekeeping products but are too ashamed or shy to ask.
Offer personal shopping option
Some AG might require diapers or other items that are difficult to transport, so offering that extra help might definitely put the hotel at an advantage
Explain to your staff that AG might sometimes appear to be rude without meaning it. Ask them to be patient and repeat directions to a place or breakfast options more than once if necessary.
:
Safety-in general
Safety is the number one concern on multiple levels for parents and hotel management, as many autistic globetrotters can become disoriented in a new environment and react adversely to unknown situations. In today's world filled with the latest electronic gadgets it might become important for parents to invest in a personal GPS system, especially for the non verbal wandering traveler. The more affordable alternative the hotel can offer is to have the AG wear a lanyard or plastic bracelet with the hotel address.
Room-Preventing unplanned wandering
Unfortunately the exit door can be an attraction to some AGs, so an alarm or other noisealerting device on all exit doors, as well as a way to safely lock the door from the inside with a code or key would be best.
Preventing unintentional or intentional falls
One should never voluntarily put an AG in a room with a balcony or windows that fully open, but if the hotel or resort has only balcony rooms, then a keyed lock must be placed on the door leading to the balcony. Rooms with opening windows should also be equipped with a keyed lock, not just a regular window lock.
Room-interior
AG present two types of decorating challenges namely motor challenges that can render them clumsy or unstable resulting in them bumping into objects, along with unpredictable meltdowns during which they might use objects to harm others or themselves.
With these two issues in mind any and all type furniture.Mirrors, standingglass lamps and decorations, should be avoided, while TV and wall pictures should be securely bolted when planning a room that is autistic friendly.
In the bathroom. glass enclosures can be a liability and if they're already installed several vertical hand rails in the shower areas should be installed .Two mats should be supplied, rubber anti slip for the shower and a softer towel like one to wipe feet outside the shower to prevent the floor from becoming slippery.
Sensory IssuesTemperature
Most AG are temperature sensitive so the thermostat in the room should be adjusted according to their specific need;, assuming there is a central air conditioning/heating system .Additional fans or heating elements can help too. If the AG's bed is too far or too close to the room vent or window, adjust bed placement accordingly.
Light
If the AG is light sensitive adjust bed position or if cost effective install double curtains in the room.
A powerful built in night light is useful if the AG walks to the bathroom so he or she does not bump into anything
Noise
Many AG are sound sensitive so the room offered should be a quiet one-away from elevators, laundry areas, noisy stairs, busy streets and even ice machines as much as possible.AG rooms should face courtyardsor gardens, never streets, swimming pools or any kind of sports court. As AG can be quite noisy themselves a room at the very end of the corridor is usually best. The addition of a sound machine can be somewhat helpful too.
Food
Many AG take medicines and might be on specific diets so a room refrigerator is quite the necessity for water, snacks and then some. Have vending machines on the property if at all possible.
TV-
Block the porn channels for the AG kids and try to offer at least one if not more cartoon channel. Added bonus could be a DVD player with a small DVD library at the reception area.
Allergies
Many AG have allergies, so the room should be as hypoallergenic as possible-always a non smoking and no feathers
.For special food diets see our page on cruising with allergies.
.
Hygiene
Many AG have problems washing themselves independently so rooms with tub-shower combos are a good idea. Assume nothing- so if your establishment has anything different than a sink and toilet in the bathroom such as a bidet or Japanese style toilet then have a staff member introduce the AG to its particular use.
Offering a vending machine with small items such as tooth paste, deodorant and especially hand sanitizer might be a great idea since most parents to autistic kids are stressed and are bound to forget to pack an essential item or two that they might need in the middle of the night.
Offer Extra towels, sheets
Some AG may require extra housekeeping products but are too ashamed or shy to ask.
Offer personal shopping option
Some AG might require diapers or other items that are difficult to transport, so offering that extra help might definitely put the hotel at an advantage
Explain to your staff that AG might sometimes appear to be rude without meaning it. Ask them to be patient and repeat directions to a place or breakfast options more than once if necessary.
: