Traveling Different

Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse

Dawn M. Barclay

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
• Year: 2022
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781538168677
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Travel

The award-winning travel bible for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and/or mood and distraction disorders.

"An essential read, not only for parents of autistic or otherwise neurodivergent children but for all families."—Library Journal, Starred Review

Traveling with children is always challenging, but for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and/or mood and attention and distraction disorders it can be especially intimidating. In Traveling Different, Dawn M. Barclay presents travel strategies and anecdotes from Certified Autism Travel Professionals™, parents of special needs children, associations and advocates, and mental health professionals, broken down by mode of transportation and type of venue. The heart of the book outlines suggested itineraries for spectrum families as well as venues that cater to the unique special interests that are characteristic of individuals with autism.

Culminating with a guide of travel agents who specialize in special needs travel and lists of organizations that advocate for special needs families, Traveling Different is the essential resource to make the cultural, educational, and bonding benefits of vacations available to all.

Table of contents

• Acknowledgments
• Preface
• Part I: INTRODUCTION
• 1 Every Family Deserves to Travel
• 2 Traveling with Any Child Can Be Challenging
• 3 The Growing Focus on Traveling with Children on and off the Spectrum
• 4 Modifications Can Help Every Family’s Travel
• Part II: SETTING THE STAGE
• 5 Starting Small
• 6 Pre-Trip Preparation
• 7 Foreign versus Domestic?
• Part III: MODES OF TRAVEL
• 8 Navigating Airline Travel
• 9 Road Trips—Negotiating Car and Bus Travel
• 10 Chugging Along—Train Travel
• 11 Smooth Sailing—Cruise Travel
• Part IV: ONCE YOU’VE ARRIVED
• 12 Staying the Course—Various Accommodations Options
• 13 The Great Outdoors—Camping, RVs, and More
• 14 To See or Not to See—Tours and Venues
• 15 Taking the Bite Out of Restaurant Dining
• 16 Other Suggested Modifications
• Part V: DESTINATIONS AND SPECIAL INTEREST TRAVEL
• 17 Suggested Itineraries
• Part VI: RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE
• 18 Resources
• Notes
• Bibliography
• About the Author