As a healthcare professional, compassion fatigue, burnout, stress, and anxiety are potential effects of performing your day to day job. Being a professional caregiver requires a lot of time, patience, focus, and attention to detail. In this article, we’ll discuss what compassion and empathy fatigue are and some tips for recognizing and improving or avoiding the symptoms.
The Thibault family at Rio Secreto, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, 2017. From left, Chris, Sebastian, Tristan, Emerson and Nicole Thibault.Credit via Thibault family
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When Nicole Thibault had her first child, she imagined traveling everywhere with him. But by age 2, he would become upset by simply passing a restaurant that smelled of garlic. Waiting in line elicited tantrums and crowded places overwhelmed him. Autism was diagnosed within the year.
“I thought maybe our family dream of travel wouldn’t happen,” said Ms. Thibault, 46, of Fairport, N.Y., who now has three children. But she spent the next three years learning to prepare her son for travel by watching videos of future destinations and attractions so that he would know what to expect. The preparation helped enable him, now 14 and well-traveled, to enjoy adventures as challenging as exploring caves in Mexico. It also encouraged Ms. Thibault to launch a business, Magical Storybook Travels, planning travel for families with special needs.
Now the travel industry is catching up to the family. A growing number of theme parks, special attractions and hotels are introducing autism training and sensory guides that highlight triggers, providing resources in times of need and assuring families they won’t be judged.
Theme Park Joins Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove as first family of Orlando parks to be Certified Autism Centers
Today, on World Autism Awareness Day, SeaWorld Orlando announced that it has been designated as a certified autism center by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). SeaWorld Orlando joins Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove to become the first family of parks, in the world’s leading theme park destination, to be certified.
Designation reflects enhanced efforts to serve individuals with autism and other sensory needs
In honor of World Autism Day on April 2, 2019, The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) has designated Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium and Dogwood Canyon Nature Park as Certified Autism Centers (CAC). The designation is awarded to organizations who have completed professional training and review processes with the goal to better serve individuals with autism and other sensory needs.
Zoo Miami is making a commitment to ensure all visitors, even those with sensory needs or on the autism spectrum, have an amazing experience. As part of this commitment, the Zoo recently earned the Certified Autism Center designation, which is awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to organizations who have completed a training and review process with the goal to better serve individuals with autism and other sensory needs.
“Zoo Miami aims to provide each guest with an enjoyable visit and is proud to be designated as a certified autism center. Our staff has undergone training to be able to better serve guests with autism and other special needs,” said Carol Kruse, Zoo Miami Director.
Parents with children on the autism spectrum often find choosing vacation locales and attractions to visit a challenge due to sensory needs, dietary restrictions and safety concerns. Georgia Aquarium is the latest destination – and the first aquarium – to become a Certified Autism Center (CAC). The CAC designation, granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), means that visitors and families with children who have autism and other sensory disorders can enjoy the best possible experience that caters to their needs.
First Resort in Florida to Earn the Designation
Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is the latest destination to become a Certified Autism Center (CAC) to help ensure guests and families with children who have autism have the best possible experience.
The resort implemented a training and certification program provided by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to ensure staff are trained to work with individuals on the spectrum and to share the resort’s commitment to ensuring all guests are accommodated. For almost 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in autism training for licensed healthcare professionals and educators around the globe. IBCCES created programs specifically for the hospitality and travel industry since parents with children on the autism spectrum often find vacationing to be a challenge due to sensory needs, dietary restrictions, and safety concerns.
