Autism Inclusion Week Shines a Light on Year-Round Efforts at Beaches Resorts in Turks & Caicos

What is life really like for parents raising a child with special needs? 

That’s a question best answered by the parents themselves, and by those who have taken the time to understand, whether through compassion, profession, or simply by caring enough to learn. Most parents and caregivers would likely agree it is both rewarding and challenging. 

When daily life already calls for so much energy, planning a vacation, even an all-inclusive one, can feel completely out of reach. For parents of children with special needs, the questions start building quickly, and the idea of getting away can feel more like a dream than a plan. 

You might even find yourself wondering if a real vacation is possible at all. 

There might be uncertainty, concern about being understood, and questions about whether support will truly be there when it’s needed. 

But what if you could try something different at a resort that has spent years making sure all children feel truly welcome? And what if we told you this was the first resort company in the world to complete IBCCES training and earn Autism Certification? 

Picture: Mellow ocean views at the all-inclusive Beaches Turks & Caicos, where families can unwind together and let the island set the pace.

A Caribbean resort brand, Beaches Resorts is as all-embracing as it gets when it comes to autism and special needs. And in just a couple of months, the resort will once again host its beloved Autism Inclusion Week, a celebration that brings smiles, support, and a whole lot of relief to families. 
 

And in case you're wondering what exactly is Autism Inclusion Week, you're in just the right place. In this post, we'll dive into how Beaches Resorts supports children with special needs and how families, just like yours, have found real comfort, care, and connection. 

Expert Tip: Dreaming of Turks & Caicos with the kids? Our Turks & Caicos itinerary covers all the family must-dos. 

How Beaches Resorts Supports Families with Kids with Special Needs 

Beaches Resorts has always been about family. Built on a foundation that celebrates togetherness, the resort brings this to life with an inclusive spirit, thoughtful touches, and activities that families can enjoy side by side, from sun-up to starlight.

In its commitment to creating a more inclusive world for children with special needs, including autism, Beaches has thoughtfully added services designed with these families in mind. Beyond splashy beach days and hours at the water park, guests can enjoy sensory-friendly activities, personalized dining options, and caring support that helps every child feel right at home. 

One standout example of this commitment is Beaches Inclusion Week, returning October 5 to 10, 2025, at Beaches Turks & Caicos. Now a favorite on the resort calendar, the event brings families together through thoughtful programming and a whole lot of joy. 

As one parent shared during the 2024 celebration, “In regular life, we don’t get a lot of breaks. And coming here, the kids can just be kids. From the Kids Club, to going on the beach, going to the pool… and we’re happy, and stress free.” 

Beachfront at the all-inclusive Beaches Negril in Jamaica. 

Why Autism Inclusion Week Shines

Not much convincing is needed for most people to book a Caribbean getaway. But for parents, especially those raising children who need extra care, it’s not always that simple. Vacations often get put on hold for more pressing needs. There’s always something else to manage. But sometimes, that break you’ve been putting off is exactly what your family needs. A chance to rest, reset, and reconnect. 

That’s why Autism Inclusion Week at Beaches Resorts matters. 

Now heading into its third year, the event returns October 5 to 10, 2025, at Beaches Turks & Caicos. It’s a week built around connection, designed especially for children on the autism spectrum and their families. With sensory-friendly activities, water play, arts and crafts, lunch and learn sessions, and more, each day offers a balance of fun and thoughtful support in a setting where everyone feels welcome.
 

The event keeps growing, and space fills fast. If you miss this year, no worries. More dates are on the horizon. Because whether you visit during Autism Inclusion Week or any other time of year, the warmth, care, and inclusivity that define a Beaches Resorts family getaway are always part of the experience. 

Happy. Content. Learning. Growing. Accepted. 

This is what it can start to feel like, for both kids and parents, when a place truly sees them. At Beaches Resorts, especially for families of children with special needs, that feeling becomes something real. 

And why is this so important? Because many people living with special needs sometimes express that they feel, or have felt, “weird,” “different,” or “out of place.” At Beaches Resorts, from first-hand guest experiences, that becomes something else: accepted, supported, and encouraged. And it’s something kids and parents can take home with them. 

But before you even think about going home, back to the poolside bliss. As you and your family transition into island life at Beaches Resorts in Jamaica or the Turks & Caicos, you’ll realize quickly that it’s not just about the activities. And really and truly, there are a ton. At the core, it’s about intention. A commitment to care, backed by certification and in-depth training across every resort. That training includes sensory awareness, communication, social skills, and emotional understanding. It all filters down to individual interactions, and parents have definitely noticed.

The way the staff at Beaches Resorts connect with children, especially characters like the all-embracing ‘Tin-Tin’ has over the years made a profound impression on guests at the resorts. Hardly anywhere else has this story been told better than Heather Arak’s account during Autism Acceptance Month earlier this year.

Heather, a repeat Beaches Resorts guest, shared on the Sandals Palm Cast what it was like to travel with a family member on the autism spectrum and how that experience unfolded at Beaches Resorts. One of the most memorable parts was her reflection on her 22-year-old autistic son, Mika. She spoke about how Beaches Resorts not only impacted him but helped her and her family let go a little more as he embraced independence. Their family journey with autism and travel is truly inspiring! 

Picture: Mika (right) and his Beaches Buddy Tintin. 

Heather went on to tell the host of the Sandals Palm Cast more about her trip: 

“We were so excited about Beaches Resorts being autism-friendly,” she shared. “We love beach vacations. My sister and I both grew up in Miami.” 

She continued: “We told the kids. I wasn’t sure what to expect. My kids are used to traveling, but we didn’t really have a concept of what it would be like for a child to be catered to in a different way.”

From the moment they arrived, her kids connected instantly with Tin Tin. 

“He immediately bonded with all the kids. They felt like Tin Tin was there just for them—like their special friend. He was there for all the families.”

The extra layer of freedom for her son was what stood out most.

“He was just starting to do things on his own. The idea of going sailing with Tin Tin, spending the day doing something separate from us...

I trusted them. I trusted the people I was handing my child’s care over to. And I had no doubt that Mika would be the center of their attention during the activity, whatever it was.  

There was freedom for Heather and her family to let go. And freedom for Mika, to enjoy himself as a young adult. It’s the kind of ease that comes when everyone finds their own rhythm by the sea. 

She recalled a moment by one of the restaurants at Beaches Resorts, where she noticed another mom with her child:

“I got the impression the child might have had Down syndrome, or maybe they were non-verbal. I could tell the mom was exhausted. She had just arrived too. 

Heather was struck by how the resort's staff reacted to the mom and child duo, with welcome and acceptance.

“Maybe I saw myself in her,” she said. “I remember thinking, ‘This is okay. My child is going to have the same kind of experience as everyone else. And it’s safe. And it’s okay if he doesn’t want to go in the door.’”

She watched as the child refused to go into a restaurant.

“I saw the mom tense up, like ‘oh no...’ 

But the staff just said, ‘He can stay outside. We’ll bring something to him.’ They were so lovely.” 

What stood out more than anything? People being kind. People taking time to understand and care.

“There were so many moments like that for me. I’ve been on planes headed to Beaches and seen kids cry for three hours straight, and you hear other people chiding the parents quietly.

I always think, ‘These families are facing a challenge. But once they get on property, they’re going to be okay.’”

In one case, she saw the same family from the plane at the resort two days later: 

“They were blissed out. There was no more screaming. They were just... comfortable. 

And that’s a luxury everyone should have, to feel comfortable with your child, to not have to wonder what people are thinking.”  

Also read: Autism Travel Tips for thoughtful ways to make family vacations smoother and more joyful. 

 

Ocean Views and Sunshine Are Just the Start at Beaches Resorts  

Picture: Your beach escape awaits at the all-inclusive Beaches Turks & Caicos. All the vacation essentials, from accommodation and dining, to entertainment, land and water sports and more, are included! 

The bottomline? It is possible to have an autism-friendly all-inclusive vacation in the Caribbean. That’s the beauty of a Beaches Resorts getaway. It’s a place where kids, parents, and caregivers can step into joy without stress, and without hesitation. 

Whether you join us for Autism Inclusion Week, plan a trip later in the year, or circle a date for next year, your timing will always be right. Beaches Resorts continue to welcome children with special needs year-round, so no matter when you arrive, you’ll be able to feel the love, and enjoy precious moments in the islands with the ones you love!  

Good to know: Great food has a way of bringing everyone to the table — and at Beaches Resorts in Jamaica, that includes every member of the family. With up to 13 restaurants included in your stay, there’s something for every taste and every need, from island favorites like these Jamaica food and drinks, to custom dining options made with care.