Family Travel Guide - Arizona-02 | Divergent Adventures

Self-led, Self-drive Divergent Adventures

Family Travel Guide - Arizona

Program Summary

Empowering Families with Thoughtful Pre-Trip Preparation

At Divergent Adventures, we believe that a successful family adventure begins long before the journey itself. Traveling with autistic children requires detailed and intentional preparation, and we aim to make that process as smooth, empowering, and enjoyable as possible.

We’ve designed our pre-trip preparation programs to ensure families feel confident and equipped for their adventure. These resources include:

Visual Scheduling and Social Stories: Our downloadable itineraries have built-in options to create visual schedules and storyboards tailored to each day's activities. These tools help set clear expectations, offering children structure and predictability.
Sensory Considerations: Preparing for sensory-friendly travel is a priority. We provide insights into potential sensory triggers, recommend packing strategies (including noise-canceling headphones or fidget toys), and suggest activities and downtime to reduce sensory overload.
Practice Makes Perfect: Through trial runs of travel activities—like a short flight or longer car drive—families can ease into the experience. These practice sessions build familiarity with the process and reduce anxiety.
Packing Comfort and Familiarity: Our suggested packing lists emphasize bringing along favorite comfort items, such as toys or blankets, to give children grounding and reassurance.

Tailored Resources for Every Family - Preparation isn’t one-size-fits-all, so we offer:

Customized Tools: With our Journey30 movement program, families can gradually acclimate to the physical aspects of adventure travel in a way that aligns with their unique needs.
Previews and Discussions: Explore destination previews, photo galleries, and sample itineraries with your child to mentally rehearse the trip. The goal is to make the unfamiliar feel familiar.
Guidance on Communication Strategies: We provide tips to help children self-advocate and navigate potential challenges, fostering independence and resilience.

Partnering for Confidence

Thanks to partnerships with Certified Autism Cities like Mesa, Visit Mesa and the Certified Autism Centers, our itineraries integrate specially designed accommodations and autism-friendly environments. Each itinerary includes key information on rest stops, sensory relief areas, and additional options for adjustments during the trip.

Preparing for the Arizona Environment

Our pre-trip guidance also covers essential planning for Arizona’s unique climate and terrain. From sunscreen and water bottles to strategies for staying cool in the desert heat, we’ve thought of everything to ensure your family remains comfortable and ready to explore.