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DoubleTree and SeaWorld:
Making Vacations More Fun for Families Impacted by ASD Family vacations are usually planned around children’s school schedules, parents’ ability to take time off work and budgets. However, when you have a family member with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), an entirely new set of factors dictates what vacations, if any, your family can experience. Words by Amy Nielsen
M
y youngest son is 5 years old and has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and ASD. Before he was born, my husband and our older three children enjoyed taking vacations and sharing new experiences. Those trips have since come to a screeching halt. Things such as severe sensitivity to sensory input, dysregulation due to disruptions in routines, safety concerns, extreme meltdowns, communication struggles and my worries about his behaviors disrupting others are just a few of the potential results of stepping out of our comfort zone. With 1 in 59 children now being diagnosed with ASD, some businesses are taking steps to open the world back up to families like mine. Two of those businesses are the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando and SeaWorld. My family recently had the pleasure of spending a weekend at the DoubleTree to experience their new Certified Autism Center accreditation, which they received through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). During the training, the hotel staff was given the tools and skills necessary to work with guests with ASD or other sensory needs in a variety of areas, such as sensory awareness, motor skills, autism
overview, program development, social skills, communication, environment and emotional awareness. Upon arrival, we noticed signs that read Certified Autism Center, which made my family feel welcome. During check-in, we were greeted by one of DoubleTree’s Autism Champions, David Perez. Perez, whose own family is impacted by autism, checked us in quickly. He also gave us a sensory bag full of items such as fidget toys and noise-canceling headphones. Although those things were appreciated, what stood out was Perez’s genuine interest in forming a connection with my son. He noticed my son holding a Star Wars Millennium Falcon, so he struck up a conversation about Star Wars and showed my son pictures of Star Wars characters on his phone. Perez knew how to interact with children like my son, and I could tell his interest was sincere. Once my family settled into our ground floor room, which was another appreciated accommodation, I met with Ana Isabel Mieses, the social media marketing manager, and Marje Jones, director of sales and marketing. Mieses gave me a tour of the beautiful property and pointed out areas such as designated Quiet Spaces, where families can bring a loved one who may be experiencing
26 PLAYGROUND Jun / Jul 2020
