Travel should be a fun adventure, not a source of stress. As a Certified Autism Travel Professional and a Mom to a child with AuDHD, I truly understand the unique challenges families face when traveling.
I am here to help you design a high-support, low-stress vacation that meets your family’s specific needs so you can actually relax and enjoy your time together. I take care of the heavy lifting by finding autism-friendly hotels, coordinating with vendors, and providing travel advocacy to help make your vacation smoother.
To help your family prepare for the transition to traveling, I can also build visual stories of the trip and create step-by-step schedules; these are just a few of the things I can provide. Let’s make your next trip smooth and memorable. Reach out today for your free 30-minute consultation.
We at Wondrous Travel Company personally understand that standard travel planning doesn't always cover everything that is needed when planning a vacation.
Traveling with Autism goes far beyond just managing sensory overload & transitioning to a vacation routine and more. It requires planning for all aspects of a person's well-being, including communication, safety, sensory needs, transitions, and medical & dietary needs. Our special services for your Autism family cover the difference, giving you and your whole family the support and preparation you need.
We help alleviate travel anxiety by planning all details before your leave for vacaton.
- Setting you up with a pre-travel step-by-step guide
- Pre-travel meal delivery
- Custom sensory bags
For each vacation, we will include step-by-step visual guides along with social stories as needed.
- Overnight laundry services: Getting ready
- Meal Delivery: Before & after vacation so you can have more time getting ready for vacation than worrying about meals for the family.
- Custom sensory bags: Our sensory bags are made to support you during your vacation.
We advocate on your behalf to ensure your vacation destination meets your expectations and requirements.
At the heart of Wondrous Travel Company is our deep commitment to service and to making travel accessible, predictable and full of joy for everyone.
Our planning process is built completely around your needs.
- After you complete our Autism Vacation Form, please schedule your free 30-minute consultation where we start by listening to you. We want to hear about your goals, needs, routines, sensory triggers, dietary needs, and the specific "wins" you hope to achieve on this vacation.
- We will then provide you with a personalized proposal for you to review. Once the quote is accepted, we will create a detailed itinerary and a step-by-step visual guide to help you prepare for your vacation.
- Before you pay any deposit, we contact vendors directly to verify if they have autism certifications, trained staff, room needs, sensory-friendly spaces, and sensory bags, weighted blankets, and other accommodations available for your needs.
- Once the deposit is made, we finalize your dining reservations, transportation, and specialized excursions. We then build your detailed itinerary, along with a step-by-step visual vacation guide and a social story, to help prepare your traveler for the upcoming sights, sounds, smells, and transitions.
- Once final payment is made, your travel documents will be sent approximately 30 days before your departure, depending on the type of vacation you have booked.
- You are never on your own; we are here to support you during your vacation.
Your family's safety, comfort, and happiness are our top priorities, and we look forward to creating a truly memorable travel experience for you.
The Sunflower lanyard is a symbol designed for those with hidden disabilities. Wearing the lanyard informs people you meet at airports, hotels, and other places that you need additional support, understanding, and time.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower promotes acceptance and understanding and helps individuals navigate public places more easily. It started in London in 2016 and now has a global network of businesses and organizations supporting those who wear the lanyard. Ultimately, it fosters a culture of inclusivity and acceptance for individuals with disabilities who are not always visible. For more information, visit the Hidden Disabilities website.
TSA Cares has modified procedures to ensure your screening is seamless. You can request TSA Cares Passenger Support Specialist (PSS) to guide your family through security at a pace that works for you. Contacting them at least 72 hours before departure, you can arrange for personalized assistance that minimizes sensory triggers and keeps your screening process predictable and calm.
Give yourself enough time to take breaks when needed. Arriving 2-3 hours early for domestic flights will allow you frequent breaks or "pressing pause" if a meltdown feels imminent.
Have a plan after you go through the TSA security line to purchase drinks and snacks to take aboard the plane, as airline meal services can be unpredictable.
There are several ID card options available to help you discreetly communicate your needs to airport staff, ensuring a smoother, safer travel experience. You can customize many ID cards to include QR codes or emergency contact details.
- IBCCES: Focuses on digital apps and cards to keep your medical accommodations organized.
- Hidden Disabilities: Supplies physical wallet cards and emergency QR code cards that can be worn on their globally recognized Sunflower lanyards.
- Invisible Disabilities Association: Offers a National Disability ID card as well as custom emergency Medical ID cards.
- Amazon: offers pre-made medical alert cards and write-on Autism awareness alert cards.
- Etsy: Offers a variety of independent sellers offering customizable, durable plastic luggage tags and wallet cards.
Navigating an airport can bring unpredictable sensory triggers; packing the right tools can help you control your environment. Organizing these essentials into an accessible travel kit ensures a calmer journey from check-in to touchdown.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones: Block out loud airport announcements, jet engine noise, and crowded terminal noise.
- Fidget and Tactile Tools: Provide a discreet, calming outlet for anxiety during long security lines.
- Chewable Jewelry or Snacks: Offer oral regulation input while also easing pressure changes in the ears during flight.
- Weighted Items: Apply deep pressure therapy using lap pads or blankets to reduce physical anxiety.
- Familiar Scents: Mask overwhelming airport smells, like jet fuel, with calming essential oil rollers.
- Preparing for a Disney park vacation involves a few steps, like putting together social stories and step-by-step visual guides. Watch videos of the rides and park layouts ahead of time to build familiarity. Also study the park map to know where the restrooms and "Need a Break" quiet areas are.
- Pack a dedicated bag for the Disney parks with sensory and everyday essentials you may need.
- Register for the DAS Pass (Disability Access Service) in advance if you qualify, via a live video chat up to 30 days before your visit.
- First Aid centers at Disney Parks provide quiet, air-conditioned spaces with privacy cots to help you reset from being overstimulated and unregulated. You can review Disney's official guidance through their Services for Guests who are Neurodivergent resource.
What can a tropical vacation to Hawaii look like
Giving back to the Autism Community
Our commitment to giving back and to the Autism community. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of raising and traveling with an Autistic child, we understand the importance of support. With a full heart of gratitude, we want to contribute to a community that has been supportive to our family. This is why we are pledging 10% of our profits to The Stoney Autism Travel Fund and to building up the Autism Travel Guides. Our goal is to create a better world for our children and the families we serve.