AAA Traveler - Fall 2018 - 31

YOUR STORY
speech. After doing some research, we had her tested and
found out that she's on the autism spectrum, but very high
functioning."
In addition to the worries that any parent would have for
their child, there was also a concern that Brooklyn would
not be able to travel very far from home.
For Andrews, a AAA Travel Agent in the Summerville,
S.C. office, trips to Disney World, visiting family and
exploring other destinations together are a cherished part
of family life.
He was born in New Jersey, a self-described "Army brat,"
in a Disney-loving family.
"One of my first memories is when I was 3 years old. It
was the 10th anniversary of Disney World in 1981. I
remember sitting on a curb waiting and watching for a
parade to start."
After four years in the Coast Guard, he completed a
degree in tourism and hospitality and joined AAA in 2010
as a drive trip specialist. For the last several years, he has
focused on Disney and cruises.
Andrews visits Orlando each year for research trips to
learn all that's new at the parks. He had long looked
forward to sharing Walt Disney World with Brooklyn,
now 6, and his youngest daughter, Katherine, age 4.
However, shortly after Brooklyn's autism diagnosis came
another diagnosis - epilepsy - making travel even more
a concern. But the family was determined
not to let the conditions stop her.
One of Brooklyn's first travel
experiences was a Royal Caribbean
International cruise with her aunt,
Liz, who helps with home therapy and
is also her classroom aide.
Any concerns were soon forgotten soon
after Liz and Brooklyn boarded the ship.
Like many cruise lines, Royal Caribbean offers
children's programs and staff who are trained to
care for autistic children. The ships even have
"sensory rooms" that are not as bright or as noisy as
other areas in the children's activity zone.
Some autistic children need quiet and calm
environments in which to soothe themselves, and
Andrews has found such spots are critical to smooth trips.
He now makes it a point to ask about such facilities and
staff training, including at all-inclusive resorts he's visited
on research trips. He's discovered that Beaches allinclusive resorts, for example, offer children's programs
with counselors trained in working with autistic children.

Each child with autism reacts a little differently to the
new experiences that come with travel, Andrews said. For
Brooklyn, hot temperatures, loud noises and flashing lights
can trigger a meltdown or an epileptic seizure.
"We have things, like a cooling vest, to keep her body
temperature down. And we know that sometimes we need
to take a break and go back to our room."
In addition, because autistic children need structure and
schedule, preparation is key, he says.
"I would recommend that families make the child part
of the planning process so they have an idea of where
they're going and what they're going to do. Keep
reinforcing the message in the days before the trip that
their schedule will change because they are going on
vacation, to ease the tension for the child."
Andrews explains that a family vacation to a quiet park
or to a familiar relative's home can be relatively easy, but
Disney World and other theme parks are more of a
challenge because "over-stimulation" can happen if steps
aren't taken.
Under Disney's program for special needs children,
families are allowed to designate their child's stroller as a
wheelchair.
That's an important service because strollers are not
allowed in the lines at Disney World. Also, Disney's
Disability Access Service allows families to check in at a
ride and receive a time to return to board so
there is little time spent waiting in line,
Andrews says.
"She wouldn't be able to do any of the
rides because of a prolonged exposure to
waiting in the heat. With the noise level
and all the people, it would be overwhelming."
With trouble-free travels now under her belt,
Brooklyn shares her father's thrill for visiting
Walt Disney World and the family is looking
forward to many more such vacations.
"We can't wait for the opening of Star Wars:
Galaxy's Edge in the fall of 2019 at Disney in
Orlando," says Andrews. "And then there's the
50th anniversary of Disney World in 2021 with
lots being built and lots of new rides. It's going
to be even more phenomenal."

Call your local AAA Travel Agent about
programs for special needs travelers,
800-750-5386.
TRAVELER FALL 2018

AAA Traveler - Fall 2018

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