Life, Love, and Adventure: Our Story

Our Family’s Travel Journey: From Overwhelmed to Confident

I’m a mom to an amazing son with autism and ADHD, and a Certified Autism Travel Professional. Traveling used to feel overwhelming, scary, and sometimes… just not fun. Not everyone understands what it’s like to travel with a special needs child, and for a long time, I felt alone in figuring it all out.

We started small — beach trips with the whole family — and gradually built up our confidence. Eventually, we branched out to solo beach trips, trips to Gatlinburg, the Georgia Mountains, and finally, the big theme parks like Disney and Universal.

At first, I had no idea where to start: what to pack, how to prepare, or what accommodations were available for my son. I spent hours upon days researching every detail to make sure I had everything we needed for a smooth, successful trip. But there wasn’t one place that had all the information in one spot. I had to piece it together from multiple sources, which was exhausting and stressful.

That’s why I created this blog. I don’t have all the answers, and what works for my family may not work for yours — but I hope sharing our experiences can help other families who, like us, may feel nervous or unsure about traveling. With the right tools, tips, and preparation, family vacations can be joyful, stress-free, and full of memories that last a lifetime.

To easier days and meaningful adventures,

Jamie
Mom and Certified Autism Travel Professional (CATP)