Beaches Resorts is raising awareness of its autism friendly facilities ahead of World Autism Awareness Week from March 29.
Special services are available at three resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos, with a fourth Beaches resort planned for St Vincent & the Grenadines.
Staff working across entertainment, watersports and kids’ camps as well as other areas of the resorts have received advanced training.
This teaches individuals how to interact with families and children with additional needs, specifically children on the autistic spectrum.
Childcare staff continuously receive training specifically relating to areas of sensory awareness, motor skills, Autism overview, programme development, social skills, communication, environment, emotional awareness and bullying.
Families have the option of a ‘One-on-One Beaches Buddy’ – personalised, private childcare with a buddy which can be pre-booked for a nominal fee.
The Caribbean group welcomed Sesame Street’s first autistic character, Julia, to the collection of walkaround characters in 2017.
With her very own activity, ‘Amazing Art with Julia’, children have the chance to express who they are through their artwork.
The introduction of Julia’s character provided staff with extensive training and the resources needed to ensure that all employees learnt how to recognise and work with families who have children on the autism spectrum.
Julia’s debut continues Beaches Resorts’ partnership with Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organisation behind Sesame Street, and expands the resort company’s exclusive Beaches Resorts Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street programme, now in its 17th year.