Myrtle Beach Pairs with Children’s Author, Television to Promote Sensory Travel

Families with members diagnosed with autism face some unique challenges when planning a vacation together, and, thankfully, destinations and attractions around the world have been making quite an effort to change that so everyone can make family vacation memories. Myrtle Beach, a charming coastal destination in South Carolina, has worked hard to lead the charge with partnerships with organizations like Champion Autism Network.

Recently, these efforts have been aided by the work of children’s author Lynda Farrington Wilson and a scripted television series created by Visit Myrtle Beach. Both partnerships are designed to help families navigate their vacations to Myrtle Beach and beyond, and share how these trips are attainable and fun for everyone.

Farrington’s 52-page illustrated book Splish, Splash, Squawk! features a parrot named Maris who watches over families as they vacation in Myrtle Beach. Maris has a knack for noticing each child’s unique needs and helps them figure out how to find joy during their vacation, thus giving parents (and kids) valuable tools to make a beach vacation a success for the whole family. The story takes special care to address a variety of needs children have, such as little Henry who is able to be comfortable in the sand thanks to wearing socks on his feet, and even teaches the special code “8-4-3-Help ME!,” which anyone can say to someone working in Myrtle Beach and receive assistance if needed.

Through the new scripted television show Traveling on the Spectrum, Visit Myrtle Beach brings light to this important issue by highlighting the problems families with loved ones on the spectrum face in trying execute a vacation. The show also highlights how choosing the right destination, like a city like Myrtle Beach with more than 150 local businesses specially certified to create an autism-friendly experience, can make all the difference between a family staying home and a family creating lifelong memories on a successful vacation together.