Helping Families Travel with Confidence and Comfort
Planning a family vacation can be overwhelming—especially when you’re traveling with a child or loved one with autism or another invisible disability. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone.
As a Certified Autism Travel Professional (CATP), a travel advisor, and most importantly, a mom with a child who is autistic, I know firsthand how stressful travel planning can feel. I specialize in helping families like yours enjoy trips that are not only fun but fit your child’s unique needs.
Here’s what it’s really like to work with someone who gets it—both professionally and personally.
I Understand Because I Live It Too
Travel is full of unknowns—and for kids with sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or autism, those unknowns can lead to meltdowns or overwhelm. I get it, because I’ve been there with my own child.
As a trained CATP (Certified by IBCCES), I’m here to help:
- Identify potential stressors and sensory triggers before you travel
- Recommend destinations, cruise lines, and hotels that are inclusive and supportive
- Create a travel plan that brings peace of mind—not panic
I approach every trip like I would for my own family—with care, flexibility, and real-world understanding.
What I Actually Do for You
I’m more than just someone who books the trip. When you work with me, you’re working with someone who’s focused on every detail that matters to your family.
Here’s what I help with:
- Picking the Right Destination: I’ll recommend places that are welcoming, calm, and fun without being overstimulating.
- Cruise & Resort Planning: I’ll match you with cruise lines and properties that offer autism-friendly programs, early boarding, quiet zones, and trained staff.
- Pre-Trip Resources: Need a social story, visual planner, or calming travel gear suggestions? I’ve got you covered.
- Activity & Excursion Planning: I focus on sensory-friendly and flexible experiences that your whole family can enjoy.
- Back-Up Plans: Because I’m a mom too, I always build in “what if” plans—just in case your child needs a break or a shift in schedule.
You Deserve a Trip That Feels Good… for Everyone
I’ve heard from so many parents:
“We’ve always wanted to travel, but it just felt too hard with everything our child needs.”
But after working with me, families feel supported, understood, and—finally—excited to travel.
Because here’s the truth:
Your child deserves to see the world. And so do you.
A Real-Life Story
I recently helped a family take their first cruise with their 10-year-old daughter, who has autism and high sensory sensitivity. We chose a cruise line with certified autism-friendly staff, arranged early boarding and dining accommodations, and even scheduled a calm, private shore excursion.
The result?
A fun, low-stress family vacation they didn’t think was possible.
This is what travel should feel like.
From One Mom to Another—Let’s Make This Easier
At Adventure with DNA, the agency I co-own with my mom, I help other parents (and other’s in the group) feel confident and relaxed when planning travel. Whether it’s your first family trip or your first vacation in years, I’ll walk you through it all.
✨ Ready to get started?
Schedule a Free Planning Chat or Contact Me Here
👋 About Me
I’m Alana O’Neal, mom, Certified Autism Travel Professional, and co-owner of Adventure with DNA, a mother-daughter travel agency under Cruise Planners. I help families—especially those with invisible disabilities—explore the world without the stress.
Follow me on Instagram @familiestraveltogether or check out my favorite travel tools on Linktree!
