That’s where Certified Autism Center dental practices come in. Through specialized training and intentional changes to the environment, these teams learn how to support neurodiverse children, adapt care to each child’s needs, and communicate in clear, comforting ways. The goal is simple: a dental visit that feels respectful, inclusive, and manageable for every family in Southwest Florida.

Why does sensory-friendly dental care matter for neurodiverse kids?

Dental offices are full of sights, sounds, and sensations that most adults barely notice—but many autistic and sensory-sensitive children feel them intensely. The hum of a handpiece, the brightness of overhead lights, the smell of materials, or the gentle vibration of a small instrument can still feel like “too much.”

Autism and sensory differences are common. Worldwide, about one in 100 children are diagnosed with autism, and diagnoses continue to rise. As more families in Collier and Lee Counties seek care, it’s essential that routine services, including dentistry, are accessible without fear or dread.

Simple, thoughtful adjustments can make a big difference for kids who experience the world differently. Many autism-friendly dental practices work to:

• Offer quieter tools when possible to reduce overwhelming sounds.
• Dim overhead lights or provide sunglasses to soften bright light.
• Move at a slower pace so children can process each step.
• Let kids see, touch, and explore instruments before they are used in the mouth.
• Create calmer spaces with fewer visual distractions in the room.

When a child feels more comfortable and prepared, the visit usually goes more smoothly for everyone. Families are also more likely to keep up with regular checkups, which is key during childhood, when early habits and early treatment shape long-term oral health. If you’re new to dental care, you can also explore general kids’ dental care tips to understand what to expect over time.

What can you expect from a Certified Autism Center dentist?

A dental practice with the Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation has completed specialized training through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This evidence-based training is developed with input from autistic self-advocates, parents and caregivers, and clinical experts.

Dental teams learn about sensory processing differences, communication styles, and how neurodiverse children may show stress or discomfort in ways that are easy to miss. They also commit to ongoing education, so they stay current on best practices rather than treating autism training as a one-time checklist item.

Training often covers practical skills such as:

• Understanding sensory processing and communication differences in autistic and sensory-sensitive kids.
• Reducing overstimulation in the clinic, from lighting and sound to pace and visual clutter.
• Using clear, supportive communication strategies before, during, and after procedures.
• Recognizing and responding to behavioral cues that signal stress or the need for a break.
• Adapting the structure and timing of appointments to the child’s comfort level.

For families, this means a team that is prepared to meet children where they are. Some children benefit from visual guides or social stories that walk them through each step. Others may need a quieter room, fewer people in the operatory, or extra time just to explore the chair and tools before any exam begins.

An autism-friendly dentist in Collier and Lee Counties will work with you to find what helps your child feel acknowledged and supported. This individualized approach can ease anxiety not only for kids, but also for caregivers who have experienced difficult medical or dental visits in the past. And because oral health affects overall well-being and school success, partnering with a skilled pediatric dentist—like those highlighted in our story on how dental care boosts kids’ confidence—can support your child in many areas of life.

How is Southwest Florida expanding autism-friendly dental care?

Here in Southwest Florida, Healthcare Network’s pediatric dental team recently completed CAC training and earned the Certified Autism Center designation. This step shows a commitment to designing care environments where neurodiverse children—and really, all children—can feel safe, respected, and understood during dental visits.

When care is designed around autistic and sensory-sensitive children, everyone benefits. A calmer, more predictable experience helps first-time patients, children with developmental differences, and kids who are simply unsure about the dentist. Families who have faced stressful visits in the past may feel real relief knowing that more practices are pursuing autism-specific training and adapting their environments accordingly.

For organizations, becoming a Certified Autism Center signals a long-term promise to inclusion and accessibility. This can help build trust across Collier and Lee Counties, especially for families of children with special needs who are already navigating many appointments and services. You can also connect with local programs through resources like Neapolitan Family’s Special Needs Resource Guide and other special needs parenting articles.

How can you find autism-friendly dental care for your child?

If you think your child would benefit from an autism-friendly dentist in Collier and Lee Counties, you can start by looking for dental practices that hold the Certified Autism Center designation. IBCCES maintains information about CAC programs and what the certification means for families at ibcces.org.

Locally, you can also explore pediatric dental options through Healthcare Network’s Certified Autism Center team. To learn more or to schedule a pediatric dental appointment, visit HealthcareNetwork.org.

As more dental teams invest in autism-focused education and sensory-friendly environments, the hope is that dental appointments become not just manageable, but truly comfortable and empowering. Every child deserves a dental experience that feels safe, encouraging, and tailored to who they are—and families in Collier and Lee Counties now have more options than ever to make that possible.

The post What an Autism-Friendly Dentist and Certified Autism Center Means for Kids in Collier and Lee Counties appeared first on SWFL Family.

Their wishes are about to come true. The new Autism Collier Charter School was recently approved and will open in August 2025. The school is a dream for Stephanie Nordin whose twin sons have bounced from public school to private and back to public, as she seeks the right environment for them. 

“Collier County Public Schools has come so far, but we have a lot of kids with a lot of different needs,” Nordin said. Starting Autism Collier Charter School “is what we can do where everyone wins.”

Locally, public schools offer programs for children with special needs, but there is not a program specifically for youngsters with autism who do not have significant behaviors. Most public schools also don’t offer before and after care for students who have significant needs and there are few clubs and activities for them. The new school will have all of this and much more. Best of all, it will be tuition free.

“Families are going to be so excited to have an option,” said Jen Mitchell, president of the board of the new charter school. “It has to be tuition free because cost is a barrier for so many families.”

“Here, everything will be with the autistic learner in mind, from the furniture and the lighting to the staffing,” explained Emily Kafle, the school’s new principal. “And we are making sure we are true to the 3-1 student-to-teacher ratio.”

Plans are for nine children with a teacher and two aides in each room. 

“The 3-1 teacher-student ratio will help to keep [my daughter] on task,” Maloney said. “She has trouble focusing and retaining. Having that kind of attention for each student will make a difference in retention.”

Plethora of programs

Nordin said one of the biggest benefits of the new school is the wide range of after-school programs that will be offered – drama, dance, music, sports, and more. Plus, students will have the freedom to create clubs aligned with their interests. ACCS also will offer an extended school year program and summer camp, which is enthusiastically supported by local families, given the limited summer camp options for children with special needs.

A dream realized

Nordin worked tirelessly to bring the dream of this school to fruition. In February 2022, one of her twins almost died when he jumped through a glass window on the second story of his private school. Nordin vowed to find a better place for her children’s education.

“The concept of the school was my idea,” Nordin explained. “I started looking into what other options were available for students.” Charter schools for children with autism are taking root around the nation. An internet search led her to South Florida Autism Charter School in Hialeah. “I called them and asked about a tour.”

She corralled Mitchell, who had just completed her term on the CCPS school board, to join the mission to bring a similar school here.

“Jen [Mitchell] said yes and we had a big group go over to Hialeah. That is where the vision took root,” Nordin said.

Pleased parents

Parents of children with autism are beyond excited about a school created just for their children. They feel secure knowing that staff will be trained to handle their child’s specific needs, and they are happy that their children will have access to the same things as students in traditional classes.

“Gavin loves music,” Nordin said about one of her twins. “Last year he didn’t even have a music class.”

Maloney drives her 16-year-old daughter to Starability, Special Olympics, and the Naples Players. “To get kids to all the different activities is tough, so it would be great [to do] all this under one roof,” she said. 

Maloney has been homeschooling her daughter due to some bullying and the larger class sizes in public schools, so she looks forward to having her child return to the classroom.

“I am ecstatic,” she exclaimed. “This is a dream of mine. We have needed this in Collier for her whole life.” 

“I am super excited about this,” added Melodie Beaver, who adopted three children ages 5, 6, and 9, all of whom have autism. The public school system “is great for some [children with autism] … but not for others. It does not work well for my children. I can’t tell you how excited I am for this. There is such a need in Collier County.”

Beaver is especially pleased about finally having after-school care. She had to quit her job when the after-school program at her children’s school refused to let them attend. “That is a game changer,” she exclaimed.

Steve Hartz’s 13-year-old son loves technology, so Hartz is looking forward to his child joining a club focusing on tech. He also is happy that his son will have some traditional school experiences.

“They have talked about having Homecoming,” Hartz noted. “As a parent, these are the things you think [your kid] will never have an opportunity to do.”

Olivia Narizzano’s son will start kindergarten next fall. Until she heard about the new autism school, she was worried about her his future. “There are so many options [for school], but none of them really work,” she said. “This is such a relief. There will be some place in town where my son will be embraced and accepted.” 

Winning the lottery

These parents are hoping their children will be in the inaugural class next August. But not everyone will be able to attend right away. The first year the K-12 school will have space for only 65 students. That will double to 130 the following year and then increase to 260 the next, and eventually to 300. Students will be chosen using a lottery system. More than 215 applications already have been filed.

“It is heartbreaking that we don’t have room for them all,” Mitchell said. “There is so much interest.”

There are about 1,500 CCPS students who are on the autism spectrum.

Mitchell said the school has to start small to ensure success, which means hiring the most highly qualified, well-trained staff. 

All classes will be taught by certified teachers. Kafle has been working in special education for 20 years. She worked at a charter school for autism in Minnesota and was most recently director of special education for CCPS. Kafle, Mitchell, and Nordin are also co-founders of the school.

The school is being embraced by Collier County education officials.

ACCS “highlights that, while Collier County boasts excellent schools and strong support for students with disabilities, ACCS will provide another choice for parents specifically tailored to the needs of students with significant autism and their families,” said Leslie Ricciardelli, CCPS superintendent. She noted that the school is open to students from any Florida county. 

Funding fundamentals

Funding for ACCS is from the same source as other public schools – the state – and is based on the number of students. The operating budget for the first year will be $2.8 million. The Autism Collier Resource Center was recently created to pay for all the extras, like the before and after care, clubs, and sports. “ACRC is seeking grants and fundraising to [pay for these extra programs]. If you are looking to help, reach out,” Mitchell said.

Getting ready

The site for the new school will be announced soon. Applications are available online for future students and staff. Now parents are hoping their children can secure a place through the lottery.

“I am excited about a school that will have everything,” Maloney said. “It is needed here in Collier.”

“I am so excited to have a school that is dedicated to these kids,” Beaver added.

Nordin’s life changed the day her son jumped out the school window. It set her on a path to champion for a better life for children with autism and their parents. She has fought for laws to be changed in Tallahassee and won that battle, and now she is winning her quest for a better education for her twins and so many others in the community.

“The day of the tragedy, I turned it into something positive,” Nordin concluded. 

Visit www.autismcolliercharter.org for information about an upcoming virtual open house and student interest form.

The post A First-of-Its-Kind Collier County School Designed to Help Students with Autism appeared first on SWFL Family.

ACCS is committed to providing an innovative learning atmosphere where students with autism are the primary focus. The school’s mission is to offer a safe, nurturing, and cutting-edge educational experience designed to meet the unique needs of each student. The vision is for students with autism to be empowered to reach their full potential and experience uninhibited growth.

Innovative Approach to Education

Currently, families of neurotypical children have a wide array of educational options that do not extend to those with significant autism. ACCS is focused on addressing this gap by providing families in Collier and surrounding counties with a choice that meets their child’s specific learning needs.

Meet the Founding Team

• Stephanie Nordin: A mother of four, including twin boys significantly impacted by autism. Stephanie has been a tireless advocate for disability services, working with state officials to pass legislation that improves access to needed services for adults with disabilities. Senator Passidomo recently appointed her to the advisory council for the website clearinghouse on developmental disabilities. Stephanie is also the founder of Autism Collier, Inc., a nonprofit that connects families with community resources, and We the People, by the People, a grassroots advocacy movement focused on increasing legislative support for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Jen Mitchell: A former Collier County Public School Board Chair, Jen is a mother of four and a dedicated community volunteer. She serves on multiple boards and volunteers at various organizations across the region.
• Emily Kafle: With over 20 years of experience in special education across multiple states, Emily brings leadership experience at the building, district, and charter school levels. She is an expert in autism education and previously served as Director of Special Education for Collier County Public Schools. Emily has personal experience with autism, as the condition significantly impacts her niece.

Community-Focused Programming

Autism Collier Charter School’s commitment to improving the quality of life extends beyond the classroom. By partnering with local organizations, the school will provide a variety of family-centered programs that address the needs of students and their caregivers alike. These programs include health and fitness activities, specialized training, and community integration initiatives, all designed to offer support for the entire family unit.

For more information, visit the Autism Collier Charter School website at autismcolliercharter.org or follow us on social media. To contact the school principal for additional inquiries, email emily@autismcolliercharter.org.

The post Collier County Public School Board Approves Autism Collier Charter School in Naples appeared first on SWFL Family.

It’s not their fault, and as a parent, you want to do everything possible so they remain safe, especially at home, which should be a place of happiness and security. Here are some modifications to ensure it remains precisely that. Many are the same as precautions for a toddler, but they should be continued at a more advanced age for children who are on the autism spectrum.

Secure Heavy Cabinets

As they often misinterpret your wishes and don’t understand what’s dangerous, there’s a good chance your child will attempt to climb on your furniture, which could topple over and cause grievous injury. Eliminate this potential disaster by securing top-heavy cabinets to a wall stud using brackets, braces, anchors or straps. Furthermore, toys, candy and anything else that’s tempting should never be stored on a high shelf.

Install Safety Locks

These will keep your child out of drawers or cabinets where you’ve stored your knives, cleaning products and other dangerous items. There are a variety of different kinds on the market, such as magnetic locks and adhesive locks, as well as models specifically designed for stoves, toilets, doors and windows. The latter are particularly important to keep your child from falling out a window in the upper story.

Put Up Some Barriers

There are likely parts of the house that are “no-go” zones, such as the basement, garage or kitchen. That’s why baby gates come in handy, as they can block your child from entering anywhere dangerous while allowing you full freedom of movement. They come in a variety of measurements and materials, though whatever you buy should be certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.

Conceal Cables and Wires

Not only are they trip hazards, but younger children may put them in their mouth and chew while you’re not looking, and that’s something you don’t want to even imagine. Duct cord covers, which look like little rubber speed bumps, keep cords running along the ground and protected from prying hands that try to snatch them up. While you’re eliminating electrical hazards, you may also consider some child-proof covers for the outlets.

Create a Safe Space

This could be an entirely separate room or just a quiet corner with natural light, a table and some chairs where they can work on their arts and crafts projects, says Your Modern Family. Your child will be naturally drawn to this space rather than other areas of the house that can be a bit overwhelming. To make it more attractive, paint it in cooling colors and keep it free of clutter with an easy-to-use storage system.

Get a Service Animal

Service dogs that are specially trained to work with people with autism create unique bonding opportunities for your child and help them socialize with other children. The greatest

advantages, however, come from the increase in safety, which will put your mind at ease when you know the dog is near. Among their skills, these service dogs are trained to run interference in situations where the child is in danger and keep the child from wandering off.

With their safety taken care of, you can move onto other things, like helping your child develop their motor and cognitive skills, or maybe just play together and have fun. They deserve it.

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“Autism doesn’t have the physical indicators other conditions do,” said Sgt. Dan McDonald of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, who trains deputies on how to recognize signs of autism. “Kids with autism may have an aversion to bright lights, loud sounds, and groups of people they are unfamiliar with, and that can be a stressful situation for them.” Those with autism might not respond to commands or questions and may have difficulty expressing themselves. They might not make eye contact and could be extremely adverse to touch.

In October, special legislation went into effect in Florida that will improve the way law enforcement interacts with children and adults with autism. House Bill 39 requires that all law enforcement officers in the state receive specialized training related to autism through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Sgt. McDonald took part in the curriculum workshop for this training, which is now being field tested by Florida Department of Law Enforcement before it can be widely used throughout the state. Sgt. McDonald is confident that the new legislation will continue to improve the skillsets deputies have when it comes to interacting with various individuals in the community. 

“I think it’s a win-win to the benefit and safety of the com-munity,” he said. “It’s going to help first responders and families here in Collier County.”

Collier County deputies are ahead of the curve in receiving special training for their interactions with those with autism through the Crisis Intervention Team training program. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk wants 100 percent of deputies to complete the training, which began in 2008 and teaches deputies how to interact with individuals who may show signs of mental illness, autism, or other developmental disabilities. The 40-hour training program is offered four times a year and has been proven to reduce injuries and death to police and individuals with mental illness or other diagnoses. So far, about 500 deputies have received the training.

“We teach recognition and response to autism,” said Sgt. McDonald.If a deputy encounters someone with autism at the scene of a traffic crash, for example, deputies learn to recognize signs that indicate an individual might have autism through their actions, limited communications, or behavior.

If that’s the case, Sgt. McDonald said deputies are trained to give an individual more personal space, to use simple language, and allow extra time for a response.Here are a few things you can do now if your child has autism:

1. Register your child in the C.A.R.E. data-base by contacting Supervisor Angela Larson of the Victim & Senior Advocacy Unit at 239-252-0232, or by email at Angela.Larson@colliersheriff.org.

This database tells deputies about your child’s physical appearance, tendencies, triggers, and preferences and can help locate him or her in an emergency.

2. Have your child outfitted with a Project Lifesaver bracelet, which will monitor his or her location if prone to wandering.

3. Get a free autism sticker for your vehicle. Place this sticker on the window where your child usually sits. The sticker lets first responders know that someone in the vehicle has autism and might be nonverbal.

Contact Sgt. McDonald at 239-252-0921, or by email at Daniel.McDonald@colliersheriff.org, with questions or to request a window sticker.

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Family air travel involves challenges, particularly flying with young children. For many families in our area, summer vacations include air travel to destinations all over the world. However, for some families with children on the autism spectrum or with other sensory disorders, air travel isn’t an option. Some avoid flying altogether because of the very real fear of the unknown – what if they plan a trip, pay for airline tickets, and then everything goes wrong once they get to the airport, are going through security, or in the middle of a flight? Not being able to fly can severely limit time with families and vacation or even medical care options.

How can families with children on the autism spectrum alleviate the stresses involved with air travel and make it possible and more manageable?

Organizations such as Autism Speaks and The Arc have teamed up with airlines to provide programs to help families take flight. In partnership with Autism Speaks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting solutions for the needs of individuals with autism and their families, JetBlue Airways hosts Blue Horizons for Autism events across the country. These events provide families with the opportunity to walk through the airport experience in a realistic setting to prepare them for travel. While the program has been offered in just a few cities so far, JetBlue and Autism Speaks are working to expand their offerings. For more information about future events, visit the Autism Speaks Facebook page: www.facebook.com/autismspeaks. Autism Speaks offers a helpful bibliography of travel tips and resources on their website as well. Visit www.autismspeaks.org and search “traveling tips” for a list of books and websites.

United, American, Delta, and Southwest also have dedicated assistance teams to provide any necessary accommodations. All recommend families contact the airline directly well in advance of any scheduled flight.
 The Arc, a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of individuals and families affected by developmental disabilities, sponsors the Wings for Autism/Wings for All program across the country. Like JetBlue, Wings for Autism provides airport “rehearsals” for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and intellectual/ development disabilities. Families are able to practice the entire process, from checking in to navigating through security to actually boarding the airplane. Currently, there are no events within driving distance of Southwest Florida on The Arc’s calendar, but families interested in bringing the program closer to home are encouraged to contact The Arc at wingsforautism@thearc.org.

LARC, Inc. is the local chapter of The Arc, and serves Lee County and northern Collier County. LARC’s Hope Zapata offers tips to parents traveling with children on the autism spectrum. “Notify the airline to request specific seats, and contact TSA Cares, a helpline that provides support for the security screening process, as soon as possible. Consider the possibility of taking some type of practice run by contacting the airport to find out if there is an access program in place for families with children who have special needs.” Though the local chapter of The Arc does not regularly offer air travel events or opportunities for families with children on the autism spectrum, “new opportunities always arise,” said Zapata. “Stay in touch by checking our website www.larcleecounty.org and signing up for our newsletter.”

Wings for Autism/Wings for All’s website provides a wealth of information for families traveling this summer. Visit www.thearc. org/wingsforautism.

Advice

Lee Cosentino of Naples has two sons, Nicholas and Christopher, with whom she travels regularly. Her oldest, Nicholas, is in first grade and was diagnosed with ASD at a young age. “I was nervous the first time we traveled, but that was because Nicholas was only seven weeks when we adopted him,” she explained. “He and I traveled every couple of months his first two years. Because he grew up used to traveling so often, he grew accustomed to it and felt more comfortable than if we hadn’t traveled so often.”

“When Nicholas was about 18 months old, the sensory disorder was apparent to us, though we didn’t have an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis for another year. We were working with an occupational therapist to help him manage his environment. There we were prescribed a therapeutic listening program (specially designed headphones and music) to relax him, which we brought on all of our plane trips. We were taught a skin brushing protocol as well, and we took his special little brush with us everywhere. It was very calming and grounding for him. And of course, we brought along special items from home, such as a stuffed animal or special toy. These types of items are helpful for any child, but especially for children who may need these items to feel like they can cope with the stress.”

Lee’s son happens to enjoy air travel and airplanes in general. “As for air travel,” she said, “we have really lucked out there. Not only has Nicholas been traveling often since he was a baby, but he also developed an obsession with airplanes, which has helped him cope with the logistics of air travel. Because he became hyper-focused on getting to the plane, he was able to overcome his anxiety and all the challenges related to his sensory disorder.”

Another local mom, Kristi, shared her air travel experience. “My son, Andrew, is 13 years old. He has autism and various developmental disabilities. He also has anxiety which makes it extremely difficult for him to communicate with anyone he doesn’t know very well.” Traveling was – and is – a daunting proposition for Kristi and her son. “I have only traveled once with him to Connecticut with my parents, and it was relatively uneventful. Of course, my positive experience could be due to the fact that I had two other adults to help me. Fortunately, during that experience, we avoided all but one minor meltdown. We are planning to go away for another trip up north mid-June, and I’m concerned it won’t go so easily this time around.”

Be prepared

Preparation is key to flying for any family, and especially so when you are traveling with a kid with ASD. “Many children benefit from a little preparation,” said Charlene Westman, owner of Building Blocks, Inc. in Naples. “Social stories are a great tool to help prepare children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Several examples are easily found on the internet, or you can prepare a story specific to the trip your family will be taking. Pictures can help some children enhance understanding. A social story about air travel can be read frequently in the days and weeks ahead of the trip.” Autism Speaks provides a social story that you can print out from its website at www.autismspeaks.org/air-travel-resources.

“On the day of the trip, be sure to bring your child’s favorite items. Try to include items that can keep his or her interest for long periods of time. Activities may involve paper and pencils, coloring books, or electronic tools such as tablets, DVD players, or video games. For families who plan to offer electronics on the flight, don’t forget extra chargers or batteries.” Westman also recommends sensory items for children: “Tools for successful air travel may also include chewy tubes, weighted blankets or vests, and your child’s favorite drinks and snacks.”

Westman also encouraged parents to consider long-term goals regarding family vacations. “I would highly suggest taking pictures along the way. After your trip, you can review the pictures as a family to help your child develop positive emotional memories about your trip. This type of shared positive experience can be very powerful.”

RESOURCES

LARC Inc.                                                                      Autism Speaks

larcleecounty.org                                                                               888-288-4762

                                                                                                               autismspeaks.org/air-travel-resources

The Arc’s Wings for Autism

https://thearc.org/our-initiatives/travel/                                                        

TSA Cares

855-787-2227                                                                                        JetBlue

TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov                                                     jetblue.com

tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support

Doug Flutie Jr Foundation for Autism 

https://www.flutiefoundation.org

The post Taking Flight With Sensory Issues appeared first on SWFL Family.

Such is the case with our family. My husband and I have an absolutely remarkable child, Jonathan, who just happens to have multiple disabilities (with an autism diagnosis being one of them) and because of the challenges we face with him, we have never found a vacation destination that we could all easily enjoy for a few days at a time. He tires easily, cannot participate in many activities the same way that other children can, cannot communicate verbally, and needs someone to be with him at all times.

The year my mother-in-law turned 75, she wanted to take the entire family on a cruise. The very thought of this filled me with dread. How could we take Jonathan? There are so many people on the cruise … what if he gets out of our sight for even a moment? He wouldn’t know where to go and he wouldn’t be able to ask for help. I was filled with dread. On one hand, we wanted to be part of the trip, but on the other we didn’t think it was possible for us. We have missed many family get-togethers due to the distance, or the need to fly, or because our son wasn’t doing well at the time, etc.

We wanted so much to join in the family celebration, so I started to have hope when my sister-in-law mentioned a group called Autism on the Seas (AOTS). Apparently, AOTS helps families just like ours – those that simply want to take a vacation, but struggle to do so because of the challenges they face with their child. As I looked at the AOTS website and my sister-in-law continued to encourage me that everything would be okay, from somewhere deep down inside I came to realize that if we didn’t try, then we would never know and we would forever be stuck wondering if this organization would have been a fit for our family.

What if it doesn’t work?

After speaking with an AOTS representative, I began to feel better and much more “brave” about our decision to try the cruise. But in the back of my mind,  I secretly kept wondering …. what if it doesn’t work? What if it is too much for him? We are all stuck on the boat for five days … what do we do if things go awry?

We decided to move forward but we still weren’t sure what to expect so we brought along an aide who knows Jonathan almost as well as we do. She knows his signs/requests, she knows when he needs a break, she knows when he is tired, etc. I was sure that she would be the one helping us and that I would never feel comfortable leaving my child in the hands of people that I don’t know. I imagine it is tough enough to do that as a parent of a typical child, but when your child is 15 and can’t speak or tell you anything about his day, it takes this fear to a whole new level!

Just like any other family

I was wrong. The AOTS organization was phenomenal! I cannot begin to tell you what a liberating few days at sea our family was able to have. For once, we were a family just like any other family. On vacation, enjoying our time together, having fun, and knowing, most importantly, that our child was having a blast! AOTS provides priority boarding which allowed our son to slowly acclimate to the ship instead of being thrown in with everyone else which would have overwhelmed him. We chose a cruise that left from a port within driving distance from our home, so that alleviated the whole airplane issue as well.

We also had a special first evening onboard when the whole AOTS group had its own bon voyage party. We met the staff members the first night and were able to share the necessary information about Jonathan so that we could feel comfortable with them and have them feel comfortable with our son, as well. We did choose to have his aide assist Jonathan with most activities the first day. But AOTS staff members were present at all times. Around midday on the second day onboard, we started to join in on some of the activities that the group had to offer.

The staff was terrific – they were teachers, teacher’s aides, therapists, etc. And they were all volunteering! Every staff member worked with special needs children and/or adults in some way and they truly understood some of the challenges they might face during the week. But this group also had interacted with enough parents to know just how exhausting raising a child with special needs can be and it brought them great joy to be able to give all of our families within the group some relief and respite that we so very much need but rarely ask for!

If we wanted to eat breakfast, they were there to help us out if we wanted any assistance or just an extra set of hands. We also had a private dining room for breakfast, so we didn’t have to brave the throngs at the buffet lines. When we were sailing, they were there to help Jonathan in the swimming pool, which he loved! If we wanted an evening out, they were there to help provide respite care for us. They had special activities all throughout the day in which our son could fully participate and feel part of the bigger group. While our son joined us in the main dining hall in the evenings, some children were not able to do so and the staff was there to provide help to those families and allow the parents to have an enjoyable “typical” night out.

Good tears

And what attention to detail by the staff. As I previously mentioned, we were able to talk with the staff and have them come to know our son’s likes and dislikes. One evening at dinner, I looked up and saw three staff members racing towards our table and saying, “we have to get him out of here.” My husband and I were confused as he was doing so well at dinner and we had just been commenting on that fact. The staff members saw a server walking toward another table with a birthday cake. The staff knew that Jonathan dislikes the “Happy Birthday” song for some reason, so they were rushing over to take him out of the restaurant so that he didn’t get upset. They even stopped the waiter and asked him to wait just a few moments. I found that to be remarkable!

And there were many, many tears during our five days onboard. Good tears! Tears of relief that we were able to join our family and enjoy the week with them; tears of joy that our son was having a blast; and tears of admiration for the team that AOTS had assembled to help not only our family, but all the others like ours.

“I have never been so happy”

There was one moment in particular that I will never forget. On the third night, I felt so comfortable with the staff and we could tell Jonathan was enjoying his time, so I did what I said I would never do. We took advantage of the AOTS respite care and let him have a night with the staff. We had his aide join us so that she could have an evening out as well.

I remember our family was playing trivia in one of the taverns on the ship and for whatever reason I felt compelled to look to my right at what was apparently just the right moment. When I did, I saw Jonathan and one of the staff members walking arm-in-arm, and both were physically bent over in laughter. He was having a blast! He didn’t need us for a while! He got to be a big kid and went to see a show! It allowed him to have independence and be with one of his new “friends” without mom and dad, for once.

I will never forget just watching him laughing and beaming as he walked right by us and didn’t see us because he was having such a great time. I have never been so happy! I thought my heart was going to burst with joy. The memory still brings tears to my eyes as I write this.

And that is what vacations are all about – the memories! And I will forever be grateful to Autism on the Seas for their fantastic organization, and for allowing us, if only for a short time, to fit in with all the other families on the boat, and enjoy that special time and build those fantastic memories!

For more information on Autism on the Seas, visit autismontheseas.com or call 800-516-5247.

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