Interview with Jenifer Breaux on Family Travel with children with disabilities

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In this episode, Valerie interviews travel expert and special needs mom, Jenifer Breaux, who shares her insights on creating memorable, inclusive family travel experiences for children with neurodiverse needs. Jenifer provides valuable tips on planning vacations, selecting activities, and choosing accommodations to make travel more enjoyable and accessible for everyone.

Jenifer Breaux is a retired army veteran who served the United States all over the world. Through those experiences she gained a love of service and travel. Jenifer opened a franchise of Dream Vacations called JB Travel Pros, where she helps people travel the world with excitement, designing luxury experiences that bring her client's dreams to life. As the mother of two amazing young men who both are on the autism spectrum, Jenifer has become an advocate for families and caregivers of special needs children. 

Key Topics Covered:

1. Choosing the Right Travel Experiences:
   • Opt for inclusive activities like open-air trolleys, beach train rides, and dolphin swims.
   • Highlighted the importance of considering sensory preferences and selecting family-friendly activities that allow for shared enjoyment.
2. Navigating Cruise Travel with Special Needs:
   • Jenifer shares that some cruise lines, particularly Royal Caribbean, train staff to support children with autism and other disabilities.
   • Advises parents to communicate special needs in advance to ensure accommodations, such as priority boarding and accessible cabins.
3. Practical Tips for Managing Sensory Needs:
   • Jenifer suggests carrying familiar fidget toys and social stories to prepare children for new environments.
   • She recommends her free downloadable guide, The Ultimate Top 10 Travel Tips for Planning with Neurodiverse Children, available on her website IamJeniferBreaux.com, along with her book Travel is Possible for additional travel tips and resources.
4. Encouragement for Special Needs Parents:
   • Jenifer reminds parents to celebrate small daily wins and embrace the unique journey of raising resilient children. She encourages parents to see themselves and their children as “warriors” capable of handling life’s challenges with courage and joy.

Takeaway Message: Jenifer’s insights inspire parents to embrace intentional travel, plan for accommodations, and create lasting memories. She reinforces that with a bit of preparation and an open mind, family vacations can be accessible, fun, and inclusive for all.

Connect with Jenifer:

Website:  https://www.iamjeniferbreaux.com/about

@iamjeniferbreaux on IG, FB, Twitter, Pinterest

Live with Intention - Embrace the Journey.

Connect with me:

Valerie's Links: https://bit.ly/3RL0da2

Music Acknowledgement: Audio Coffee - Denys Kyshchuk

Editor: Scott Arbeau

Link for book: The S.H.I.N.E. Principle: The special needs mom's path to strength, hope and happiness by Valerie Arbeau

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CW18ZXGX (Canada)

https://a.co/d/03hFdZI4 (United States)

Learn more about your host at:
https://coachingwithvalerieanne.com/