8 Autism Friendly Travel Programs

As a parent of an autistic child, you may start to get stressed out just thinking about traveling. After all, a slight schedule change, unusual smells, loud sounds, crowded areas, and so much more can pose a challenge for both you and your child. Trust me, I understand. When I first began to travel with my two autistic boys, I didn’t know what to expect. And I didn’t have anyone to help me figure it out. I don’t want you to go through any of these struggles alone. This is why I want to share some of the helpful resources I have discovered, and used, over the years. There are a few autism friendly travel programs available for autistic families. Each one can offer your family the support you need while seeing new destinations around the world. 

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8 Autism Friendly Travel Programs

Practice Hotel Stays

If you have never traveled with your autistic child before, you may be concerned with how they will do when they need to stay in a hotel for the first time. I always recommend starting small when it comes to traveling with autistic children. 

Autism Double-Checked offers partnerships with numerous hotels for practice hotel stays. A discounted rate is offered for one night at a local hotel. 

The idea is to introduce your autistic child to everything they will experience during a longer hotel stay while on vacation. The best part about this practice hotel stay is if your child is not ready, you can easily go home at any time during the night and sleep in your bed. 

TSA Cares

Conquering the security lines at airports is much easier for autistic families like yours if you take the time to request assistance from TSA Cares. A little pre-planning will ensure your family has the assistance you need to move through security. They can even help you to your gate if you need them to. 

When you utilize TSA Cares, you can let them know of any special medications or equipment in advance. Your autistic child may even be allowed to wear noise-canceling headphones through security. 

There are times when you may be allowed to skip to the front of the line. However, that is never guaranteed. Therefore, I do recommend signing up for TSA PreCheck to ensure you don’t need to wait in long lines at security. 

Wings for All

As amazing as TSA Cares can be for autistic families, your autistic child may need a little extra help if they are flying for the first time. This is where Wings for All can be helpful. 

Wings for All is available at some airports throughout the country. It is a “dress rehearsal” for your autistic child and yourself. Upon arriving at the airport, you will go through the entire process just like you will do when leaving for vacation. 

This includes checking a bag, going through security, and navigating the airport. You will even board the plane, get prepared for takeoff, and eventually go through the deplaning process. The plane will never leave the gate. 

Autism Flies

If you cannot find a Wings for All program at your local airport, don’t panic. Autism Flies may be the autism friendly travel program that is available at your airport. You must register in advance for this travel program. 

On the day of the event, arrive at the airport with your family. You will then check-in, receive your boarding passes, go through security, and find your gate. Once your flight is called, you will board the airplane, find your seat, and buckle your seatbelt. 

The airline staff will do all the usual onboard announcements. Afterward, you will leave the plane, head to baggage for your luggage, and return home. 

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

Sunflower lanyards have been a popular option around the world to alert airline personnel that a person needs extra assistance. This option is now gaining traction in the US. If you are searching for an easy way to alert staff that your autistic child may need extra help, simply have them wear a hat or shirt with a sunflower, or use the standard lanyard. 

Add a DPNA Code to Your Airline Ticket

DPNA stands for Disabled Passengers with Intellectual or Developmental Disability Needing Assistance. When this code is added to an airline ticket, the airline staff will know the passenger may need extra assistance. 

You may receive priority boarding, delayed boarding, or guaranteed seating with a companion when you use this autism friendly travel program. 

Autism on the Seas

It will be much easier to go on a cruise with your autistic family when you take advantage of the Autism on the Seas program. This autism friendly travel program partners with specific cruise lines that include Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises. 

It is simple to fill out a form, so the cruise line is aware of what special accommodations your family needs. 

During your cruise, you may receive private muster sessions, reserved seating for shows, and even respite care if available. 

Traveling with an autistic child can be both rewarding and challenging, but with the right tools and strategies, it’s absolutely possible to create amazing travel memories together. That’s why I created the How to Travel with Your Autistic Child course, designed to give you practical, step-by-step guidance on everything from planning and preparation to navigating sensory needs on the go. With special tips for easing into new experiences and resources tailored for families, this course will empower you to travel confidently and make every trip a positive adventure. Ready to get started? Learn more here!

Certified Autism Travel Advisor

All the above autism friendly travel programs are excellent options for avoiding challenges while vacationing together. However, there is one more option you should consider and that is working with a Certified Autism Travel Advisor like myself. 

There are so many details you need to consider when planning autism friendly vacations. Instead of juggling research, phone calls, emails, and everything else on your own, you can easily ask for help. 

I can take care of all those details for you while making suggestions to ensure your vacation is as perfect as can be. You won’t need to spend hours during the planning stages and can use that time to focus on your family and everyday tasks. 

I am available to assist you if an unavoidable event occurs while you are traveling. So, you won’t need to stop having fun to take care of pesky details when you are on vacation. 

These autism friendly travel programs are all designed to help you conquer traveling with your autistic family. You can easily start with a small local overnight trip before venturing out on a longer vacation a little further from home. And before you know it, your autistic child will be ready to fly halfway around the world to experience a new destination. Schedule a consultation with me so we can chat and make all of this a reality for your family. After all, travel is for everyone and you deserve to show your child the world!