Autism On The Seas Interview with Janet Josephson

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In Autism On The Seas Interview with Janet Josephson we discuss the amazing support that the volunteers offer families that travel while dealing with ASD, autism spectrum disorder. I know this interview improved my autism awareness.
We talk about how the AOTS helps before the vacation, and during the vacation.
We talk about the fact they help with both land-based and cruise vacations.
We discuss what a sea day might look like
What a port day would look like
How they help a pool time
How they help a mealtime
How they help by providing respite time
Autism on the Seas is a travel agency that provides vacations for adults and families
living with ASD and other related exceptionalities
o Provide support from ages 3 and up
o Our goal is to make sure that the family has their best vacation experience ever
 Founded in 2007 by Mike Sobbell
o A recognized partner with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
 Each cruise or resort stay is staffed by a single volunteer group leader and volunteer
direct care staff (2:1 ratio) from all over the US and beyond
o Families can choose to have a 1:1 staff volunteer for added flexibility with daily
scheduling
o Volunteers are special education professionals from across the globe who go
through a screening and interview process prior to contract
o We have bilingual support staff, ASL-proficient staff
 Volunteer staff provide support from the moment we first meet our families in port or
at the resort to the moment they head back to their cars after their vacation.
o Pre-cruise support
o Expedited embarkation
o Intro sessions with families
o Assistance at pool time
o Respite sessions
o Excursion assistance
o Transition assistance
o Assistance at meals, dietary needs assistance
o Private venue sessions/reserved seating
Common questions we are asked by families:
1. My child elopes often. This worries me- how can AOTS help?
a. Portable door alarms for cabins/resort rooms, questionnaires and info sessions
with staff, security protocol for respite sessions, 2-staff minimum for any
transitions, perimeter security during pool time
2. How can I afford this?
a. AOTS has developed the AOTS Foundation to provide financial assistance for
families. Families can apply for support through AOTSF
b. Families can fundraise through goCruiseMe, an online fundraising campaign
(Staff can do this too to help defray costs associated with traveling to the port or
resort etc.)
3. Where do you travel?
a. We travel all over! Resort stays at Disney World and Beaches resort. We have
European cruises, cruises out of NJ, Bahamas, TX, FL, MA, MD. PR, WA currently
on the books.
Some people don't recognize that asperger's syndrome is in the ASD spectrum.

[@cassandragrizzard9552]

Janet is so informative. AotS is awesome

[@Travelingwithachair]

Thanks for the kind words, I was totally blown away by how much help they provie.

[@3534MilanDrive]

my family never cruises without the assistance of Aots. We really like their assistance with cruises without staff.

[@Travelingwithachair]

They are an amazing organization.

[@Day-tm2pb]

This would be amazing for anyone who wants to actually enjoy vacation for these kids, not just for us family members to reduce stress, but specially for our children to be able to enjoy their trip too

[@Travelingwithachair]

I agree

[@jenniferelizabethhugginsan1818]

I have cruised with autism on the seas and have another cruise coming up I would never cruise without them it was the first time in my sons life I could enjoy a meal when he would meltdown they would say don’t worry we got this you enjoy your vacation

[@Travelingwithachair]

They are such an amazing organization.

[@createyourcourse2155]

So informative! I am excited to plan our next trip soon. I rather do resorts than cruises because of my nerves of the dangers of being on the water with my child.

[@Travelingwithachair]

I am glad you found it helpful, and I think I just saw an announcement about some land based stays.

[@Travelingwithachair]

So did you know how much help this group was, I sure didn't.

[@judymcgivern208]

How do you contact this group.

[@Travelingwithachair]

autismontheseas.com/about-us/contact-info