In recent years, a wellspring of shows about people with disabilities have attracted a great deal of interest. These include shows like “Love on the Spectrum,” “Born This Way,” “Little People, Big World,” and “Push Girls.”
A new travel show created by Visit Myrtle Beach and The WorkShop Content Studios, and geared toward people with autism and their families, promises to guide perspective travelers as they plan autism-friendly vacations.
“Traveling the Spectrum,” which premiered Dec. 12 on Peacock, is a six-episode documentary series that chronicles the experiences of three families with autistic members on vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, “the birthplace of the autism-friendly travel initiative,” according to the Autism Travel Club.
In the show, the Gielink, Hall and Tilk families, travel to autism and sensory-friendly attractions including the area’s Intracoastal Waterway, Ripley’s Aquarium Pelicans Ballpark, Broadway at the Beach, the Sky Wheel and Savannah’s Playground.
Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Chief Marketing Officer Stuart Butler told Disability Scoop that the show’s intention is to help autism families feel more comfortable vacationing.
He said, “‘Traveling the Spectrum’ has the potential to change the world by helping families on the autism spectrum feel more comfortable exploring new destinations. By following along on their vacations and hearing their personal stories, we see the unique challenges each family faces and how our community steps up to provide a welcoming, inclusive experience.”
Given the results of a survey by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards’ website Autism Travel, this kind of reassurance to families is badly needed. The survey found that “87% of parents of children with autism said they don’t currently take family vacations and 93% said they’d be more likely to travel if autism-certified options were available.”
In addition to the TV show, the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce partnered with author and illustrator Lynda Farrington Wilson to create “Splish, Splash, Squawk! Finding Joy in a Sensory Friendly Vacation,” a children’s book that provides tips for autism families planning a trip to a beach resort.
While Myrtle Beach destinations are featured in “Traveling the Spectrum,” Autism Travel provides information on autism-friendly destinations all over the world.
For more information on “Traveling the Spectrum,” visit travelingthespectrumshow.com.
To visit Autism Travel, click here.