Eight tips for traveling with special needs kids

If a cruise is not for you or if you, have to fly to a port of departure, here are eight tips from family travel expert and author Eileen Ogintz regarding journeys with a child that is on the autism spectrum or has special needs:

1. Preparation is the best defense. Call ahead and inform the airline, hotel, resort, and cruise line of your child’s condition and ask what special accommodations are available. Ask if you need a fridge, inside room, etc. Bring your child’s own sheets, if you think that will make him more comfortable.

2. Select an environment your child can handle.

3. Talk online with other parents who have been there, done that. Simply Google the destination and “kids with autism” and you likely can connect with a local parent’s group.

4. Book low season on a cruise or at a resort like Club Med, so there will be fewer children and the staff will have more time to devote to yours.

5. Travel by car if you think flying will be too difficult. Opt to stay some place where you can eat some of your meals in your room.

6. Be forthright explaining the situation to those you meet.

7. Develop “social stories” complete with pictures that explain to your child exactly what you will be doing and where you are going.

8. Whatever happens, stay calm.

Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research

<h1>Summer Science Camps for Tomorrow&rsquo;s Medical Professionals</h1> We offer a variety of workshops on molecular medicine for high-achieving high school and middle school students interested in pursuing careers in medicine or related fields, such as biomedical research, drug development, pharmacy, bioengineering, or nursing.&nbsp; Workshops are taught by PhD-level instructors with years of research and teaching experience. Camps are offered in summer and winter and there are online and in-person options available.&nbsp;&nbsp; Through engaging lectures and hands-on laboratory classes, students learn normal molecular and cellular biology, and then learn how these normal processes are disrupted or distorted during the development of disease. There is a heavy emphasis on experimental design, modern drug development, and the emergence of the era of personalized medicine. To conclude the workshop, students use what they have learned to create an original research project. More broadly, workshop attendees strengthen their academic skills, build their college portfolio, and explore potential career options while making friends from around the world and experiencing college dorm life in a safe environment. Our university-based workshops are held at Columbia University, Imperial College London, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego, and both residential and commuter options are available.&nbsp; &nbsp;University-based workshops include Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Biology of Cancer, Astrobiology, AI-Enhanced Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology of Aging, Neurological Bioinformatics, Molecular Immunology, Bioinformatics of Aging, and Bioinformatics of Cancer.&nbsp; Biomedical Research &ndash; a workshop focused on learning modern molecular biology laboratory techniques - is taught at our lab in the Bay Area, CA. Our online workshops include Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Medicinal Chemistry and Medical Bioinformatics.&nbsp; Intro to Cellular and Molecular Medicine is our entry-level workshop that is only two hours/day.&nbsp; Students in the Medicinal Chemistry and Medical Bioinformatics workshops learn how to use online tools to analyze biochemical data.

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