Traveling Different

Dawn M. Barclay is an award-winning author who has spent a career working in different aspects of the travel industry. She started as a travel agent before branching out into travel trade reporting with senior or contributing editor positions at Travel Agent Magazine, Travel Life, Travel Market Report, and Insider Travel Report. She resides in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley.

Barclay, a longtime travel agent and editor at Travel Agent magazine, found her life changed when she became a mother. She searched for a book to help her navigate traveling with two young children but came up empty-handed. Years later, she has created the book she once needed, with guidance from Certified Autism Travel Professionals, mental health experts, and parents of children on the spectrum. Starting from the premise that every family should be able to travel, Barclay’s book includes tips on packing a “go-to” bag, creating a relaxed vacation schedule that works for the entire family, preparing for a trip with bibliotherapy (including lists of books to read with children), and navigating TSA precheck and international travel. It also lists sites that are certified as accommodating for autistic people. Much of the book’s guidance will also be useful for families with neurotypical children as well. An essential read, not only for parents of autistic or otherwise neurodivergent children but for all families.

• AcknowledgementsPreface Part I: INTRODUCTIONChapter One: Every Family Deserves to TravelChapter Two: Traveling with Any Child Can Be ChallengingChapter Three: The Growing Focus on Traveling with Children on and off the SpectrumChapter Four: Modifications Can Help Every Family’s TravelPart II: SETTING THE STAGEChapter Five: Starting SmallChapter Six: Pre-Trip PreparationChapter Seven: Foreign vs. Domestic?PART III: MODES OF TRAVELChapter Eight: Navigating Airline TravelChapter Nine: Negotiating Car and Bus TravelChapter Ten: Chugging Along: Train TravelChapter Eleven: Smooth Sailing: Cruise TravelPART IV: ONCE YOU’VE ARRIVEDChapter Twelve: Staying the Course: Various Accommodations OptionsChapter Thirteen: The Great Outdoors—Camping, RVs, and MoreChapter Fourteen: To See or Not to See—Tours and VenuesChapter Fifteen: Taking the Bite Out of Restaurant DiningChapter Sixteen: Other Suggested ModificationsPART V: DESTINATIONS AND SPECIAL INTEREST TRAVELChapter Seventeen: Suggested ItinerariesPART VI: RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCEChapter Eighteen: ResourcesBibliographyNotesIndexAbout the Author