Meet Dina Farmer

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dina Farmer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dina below.

Hi Dina, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
After my oldest son was diagnosed with autism, I began my journey of helping other families with autistic children travel the world. I have always been an avid traveler and due to an entire lifetime of moving around from place to place due to the military, I found that I wanted to share this gift of travel with my boys. I opened my travel agency before my son’s diagnosis and after he was diagnosed I knew that I wanted to help other families that faced a similar diagnosis but wanted to also share the world with their child. I found that there was a huge gap in the support for families with autistic children who wanted to travel the world and I decided to make it my mission to help other families by making the planning, prep, and booking of a vacation easier.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I specialize in assisting families with autistic loved ones in overcoming the unique challenges they face when traveling. I aim to curate unforgettable vacations that cater to autism-friendly experiences, allowing you to explore the world and cherish valuable moments with your family.

Balancing the demands of everyday life alongside caring for children diagnosed with autism, including managing school, therapy sessions, and extracurricular activities, can be overwhelming. Travel, which should be a fundamental aspect of life, often feels like an insurmountable hurdle amid these responsibilities.

I deeply empathize with these challenges, as my daily routine revolves around attending to my sons’ needs, juggling work-from-home responsibilities, therapy sessions, and household errands. Quick meals and perpetual exhaustion have become the norm for us.

Nevertheless, a diagnosis should not hinder your ability to explore the world with your child. That’s where I step in. I derive immense satisfaction from assisting families not only in navigating the intricacies of travel bookings but also in alleviating their stress and offering unwavering support throughout their journey. Whether it’s providing guidance during the planning phase or being just a phone call away to offer assistance while you travel, I’m more than an agent; I’m a trusted friend in your corner.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I discovered a group of individuals who required assistance with vacation bookings—people who sought support not just from a travel agent, but also from someone who empathized with their challenges, like a fellow mother. Focusing sharply on my niche has proven pivotal, enabling me to run a business with reduced stress while effectively communicating with an audience I genuinely understand, rather than one I have to adapt to.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Working with parents of autistic children can be challenging due to several factors. Firstly, building trust with someone unfamiliar can be a significant hurdle. Parents often feel apprehensive about entrusting their family’s travel plans to someone they don’t know well, especially when it involves the specific needs of their child.

Moreover, the stress of the unknown looms large for these parents. The unpredictability of their child’s behavior can create a barrier to venturing beyond their comfort zone. Fear of how their child might react in unfamiliar environments can deter parents from even considering travel. The uncertainty of how their child will cope during the journey and at the destination adds another layer of stress, making the prospect of travel seem daunting and overwhelming. As a result, many parents of autistic children may feel reluctant to embark on travel adventures, fearing the potential challenges that lie ahead.

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Dina Farmer

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