Beaches Resorts: Autism Friendly With Julia #BeachesMoms

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]

You guys remember I got a chance to attend Social Media on the Sand sponsored by Beaches Resorts.  I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the Resort.  We had an amazing time vacationing.  One of the top reasons why I love Beaches and Sandals is the heart they have for the guest and those in their communities.

Beaches were home to the first Autism Friendly Kids Camp in the Caribbean.  They’ve even partnered with Sesame Street to bring Julia, the four-year-old girl character with Autism from Sesame Street. Julia loves to paint so it makes perfect sense for her to be leading Amazing Art with Julia.  An art activity offered at the Beaches Resorts in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica. It’s an open-ended activity that allows kids, no matter where they are on the spectrum to explore, experiment, and have fun with art. Julia shows how you can express yourself through art.  This is an important message for anyone on the spectrum who might struggle with communicating.

Beaches is the first resort company in the world to partner with the IBCCES. The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards is the global leader in training and certification programs to help people who work with those with special needs. Having completed the rigorous training Beaches can quite proudly say that they can provide a safe, fun experience for children with Autism.   In the past the distinction of Certified Autism Center was reserved for schools and healthcare facilities, but, as more and more people became aware of Autism and families started looking for Autism friendly experiences it only made sense that a resort would go after that certification. Hopefully, in the future, many more resorts and hotels will go for it as well.

 

Julia was introduced to Sesame Street in 2015 as part of the Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative. Her characterization came from the mind of Leslie Kimmelman for the digital storybook We’re Amazing, 1, 2, 3 who based her on her own experiences as a mother of a child with autism as well as input from advisors from the autism community. On Sesame Street she is performed by Stacey Gordon who is also the mother of a child with autism and her experiences with her son help shape how Julia acts and moves.

If you’d like to see more of Julia on Sesame Street here’s a fantastic playlist with more than a half hour of Julia on Sesame Street that was created by Sesame Street themselves, so you know it’s safe for your kids to watch.

 

 

For families who have a child on the autism spectrum Beaches and Sesame Street are a godsend. They’re providing a safe place and experience for kids on the spectrum while also teaching other kids that people with autism have unique needs and may seem a little bit strange but deep down, they’re wonderful people who just want to have fun, just like them. Parents of children on the spectrum now have somewhere they can go with their families and know that their kids are well taken care of by professionals who know how to work with their kids with special needs.

If you are looking for a fun, family friendly, all inclusive vacation option for your family….please consider Beaches.  You will love it!!  If you’ve been to Beaches, please share your experience in the comments.

 

[latoyia]

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]