EXPOSURE IS KEY! Dr. Temple Grandin, Exposing children with autism to as many experiences as possible will give them the best chance at success.
Welcome to my site. I'm Christine Berridge, a Certified Behavior Management Specialist and a proud mother of two amazing boys with Autism. Over the past decade, I have combined my professional expertise with my personal experiences to create enriching and accessible travel experiences for my family. My journey has led me to become a certified Autism Travel Professional and I am thrilled to share my knowledge and passion for travel through my new travel agency business. I am committed to upgrading my education and knowledge in the travel industry. My passion is traveling around the globe, experiencing different cultures and landmarks, and making memories with family and friends. Over the past decade, my family and I have traveled by land, air, and sea all over Canada, the United States, Mexico, Alaska, and the Caribbean.
As a Behavior Therapist, I have spent years working closely with children on the spectrum, developing tailored strategies to support their unique needs. Each child has their own set of strengths and challenges and the types of supports they require vary greatly. My boys, ages 19 and 12, are nothing alike; they are on each side of the Autism Spectrum. Stephen Shore said it perfectly, "Once you met one person with Autism, you have simply met one person with Autism."
As a mom of 2 boys on opposite sides of the spectrum, I know the constant demands of everyday life can be utterly exhausting. Each day comes with its own set of challenges, like Navigating government supports, managing therapy appointments, implementing therapy techniques, financial costs, strain on relationships, and experiencing severe meltdowns. There is very little help, and often this leads to burnout, isolation, anxiety, and depression. Self-care is not a luxury; it is mandatory.
Travel is my self-care therapy. It has so many positive benefits for us all, physically and mentally. It can create strong family bonds, make you feel less isolated, and help you recharge. But despite the many benefits of family travel, recent data shows less than 15 percent of parents that have a child with Autism travel. For many families with Autism, travel can seem far from an enjoyable vacation. Traveling comes with challenges that can be extremely overwhelming. The thought of unfamiliar places, changes in routine, fear of wandering/elopement, and an unstructured environment seems so far out of reach. Then, adding all the loud noises, long lines, crowds, bright lights, strong smells, and temperature changes is enough sensory stimuli to overload a typical person's system. So families don't even bother; who can blame them?
Traveling can be difficult, but the benefits far outweigh the risks or validated fears one may have. Traveling exposes us to all sorts of new sensory experiences, which helps us understand how our body feels and what we need to make our bodies feel better. We see different people, cultures, foods, and backgrounds. Travel is a hands-on learning experience you can not teach in a classroom. You are spending time together as a family and enjoying the moment; time is invaluable. You are also advocating for your child's needs and promoting inclusion.
Thankfully, I have done over a decade of research in planning an autism-friendly trip. Based on our initial conversation, I will assess your goals and provide you with a personalized itinerary. I will address any concerns and give you the tools you need for a successful family vacation. I will set up all accommodations with airports, airlines, cruise lines, hotels, resorts, and attractions. If required, I will go above and beyond, so 90 days before the trip, I will work with you to create an in-home plan. We will take some data and set trip-related goals. I will give you the tools to reach those goals before the trip. We will select an achievable trip date because I want your family to be confident in your ability to do this. But most importantly, I want you to have a good time, make long-lasting memories, and recharge.
Let me create your unique pathway and remove those barriers so you can explore the world without limits. Time is all we have, and there are infinite possibilities to explore. We have to explore all options because each one of us is unique. There is no "one size fits all" approach. True inclusion starts with a unique, accessible design. Lets find your unique design.!
Christine Berridge/Lutz C.Y.C, C.A.T.P.
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