Autism-Friendly Travel Guide
The Beach is for Everybody
The Beach is the place where everybody can belong, and we mean every body, every ability, every family, every one. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has been committed to providing an autism-friendly vacation experience since January 2016, when Surfside Beach was recognized as the first certified autism-friendly destination. We strive each day to create a more welcoming and inclusive place for families to vacation, relax, and enjoy all that there is to do at The Beach.
Traveling The Spectrum
See Myrtle Beach featured on this inspiring new Peacock TV show about three families living with Autism traveling to The Beach for the first time!
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The Beach Is For EveryBODY: Sensory-Friendly Pledge
Visit Myrtle Beach is partnering with the Champion Autism Network (CAN) and TravelAbility for The Beach is for everyBODY: Sensory-Friendly Pledge. Click to learn more about the local businesses who have already pledged their support.
Up Next:
Travel Resources at the Myrtle Beach International Airport
Local Resources for Sensory-friendly Travel
Champion Autism Network
Families with children diagnosed with autism and autism spectrum disorder often experience additional stress and challenges while traveling such as overstimulation, repetitive behaviors, and hesitation in new environments to name a few.
Recognizing the needs of families traveling with autistic family members, Visit Myrtle Beach and the locally-based Champion Autism Network (CAN) – along with many attractions, hotels, restaurants, local residents and even the Myrtle Beach International Airport – have come together to make the Myrtle Beach area the ideal autism-friendly destination. From sensory-friendly experiences and autism aware, specially-trained staff to preferred entrance to attractions and travel discounts, Myrtle Beach offers an inclusive approach for families to travel together in a way only The Beach can.
Horry County Resources
Horry County Police Department and other safety services provide several programs for individuals with sensory or special needs. For more information, please contact Horry County Police Department at [email protected].
The Police and Fire departments provide sensory-friendly kits complete with fidget toys, noise-reducing headphones, and other items. The majority of officers in the safety services departments have participated in awareness training to learn how to respond to autism/sensory-friendly needs through the Champion Autism Network. The special needs/sensory form allows families to notify public safety of any special needs in the event that responders are deployed to their address or location. This form can be found on the Horry County website.
The Horry County Police Department provides stickers for homes and/or cars that alert responders of any occupants with sensory or special needs. These stickers can be requested by emailing Horry County at [email protected].
YMCA of Coastal Carolina
The YMCA of Coastal Carolina, located Myrtle Beach, provides swimming lessons for children with varying abilities. The staff places children in regular group swimming lessons whenever possible and offers private lessons to work specifically with varying degrees of autism and other disabilities.