What an amazing way to campaign for autism awareness! Next times whenever you make a travel plan do not forget to take Tikko with you. Tikko, Dorian's favorite autistic Polar Bear Tikko is all about hope, compassion, and courage and is venturing all over the world to promote autism awareness. On his travels, Tikko takes a letter from Dorian outlining some of the characteristics of Autism. By 2016, Tikko has travelled to over 56 countries. Let us congratulate Dorian and his mom Christine for their dedication and for making impactful changes via wonderful campaign for autism awareness.

Can you tell us more about Tikko Travels? How is Tikko helping raise awareness about autism?D: Tikko raises autism awareness by travelling around the world. People going on vacation hear about Tikko and want to help, so they ask to take Tikko along with them. When they are away, they take fun pictures of Tikko, and they tell people they meet about Tikko and why Tikko travels. Tikko wants to make the world a better place for families living with autism.

What is the story behind Tikko's name? How many countries has Tikko travel so far?D: My GANZ Webkinz Polar Bear was named “Tico” on Webkinz World. So when my mom helped me set up a website for Tikko’s travels, she accidentally called “Tico”, “TIKKO”. By the time she’d set up the Facebook page, Twitter, Website, and had Office, and Business Cards, and Tikko had travelled A LOT…I decided to tell her she made a mistake. But it’s okay, ‘cause she also found out that “TICO” stands for TICO - Travel Industry Council of Ontario. We wouldn’t have been able to call Tikko “TICO”…but how cool is it that TICO stands for “TRAVEL”? That’s what MY polar bear does!! Mom says, Tikko must have come into this world to travel, and that’s why I gave him this name. I don’t know, I just made it up!)
Tikko has travelled to over 56 countries - Africa, Alabama, Alaska, Alberta, Amsterdam, Arctic, Arizona, Aruba, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, British Columbia, California, Caribbean, Carolinas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Crete, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, Florida, France, Georgia, Germany, Greenland, Haiti, Hawaii, Holland, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Illinois, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kentucky, Korea, Kuwait, Labrador, Lithuania, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Massachusetts, Mexico, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nunavut, Nebraska, Nepal, Netherlands, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York City, New Zealand, Newfoundland, Nicaragua, Northwest Territories, North Pole, Norway, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Ontario, Oklahoma, Pakistan, Panama, Pennsylvania, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Rhine Valley, Romania, Russia, Saskatchewan, Sault St. Marie, Scotland, Singapore, St. Maarten, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tennessee, Texas, Thailand, Ukraine, Virginia, Washington (DC), Wisconsin and the Yukon to name a few.
Tikko has met celebrities such as William Baldwin, Jim Carrey, Ne-Yo, Demi Lovato, Devon Bostick, Eliza Taylor, Ricky Whittle, Isaiah Washington, Jeff Dunham, Rick Mercer, Mary Walsh, Patrick McKenna, Canadian Equestrian Team athlete Ian Millar, The “Dragon’s Den” Dragons, CW’s “The 100” Cast, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; and musicians Five Man Electrical Band, Genesis, and Rheal Doucette.

What kind of information are you sharing with Tikko’s community?D: Tikko is all about HOPE, COMPASSION and COURAGE. I want people to learn about autism, to be more kind to others (with or without autism). We teach people that everyone with autism is different, and that they don’t have to be afraid of what they don’t know. We have a lot of great gifts to share. We need a lot of love and understanding.

Do you want to share any inspirational message from someone who took Tikko on a vacation?D: There was a really sweet lady who took Tikko on vacation. When she gave Tikko back to my mom, she cried and said, “Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this. I couldn’t have children of my own, and this means so much to me to help children and make a difference.”

How much support do you get from your parents for this project? What is the thing you like most about your family?D: My mom left her job to help me. She researches autism in the places where Tikko travels, and she shares the information with our friends on Tikko’s Facebook page. She also makes photo albums on Tikko’s page for all the great photos we get from people who have taken Tikko with them on vacation. She fundraises to help Tikko travel (my mom mails Tikko out to families who want to help us…it gets really expensive), AND, she goes to events to talk about Tikko. My mom works on promoting Tikko all day!
They are lots of fun. We joke a lot. There is lots of love and hugs.

What is one thing you want to learn how to do?D: I am learning to play the drums. A really cool guy donated them to me. I want to be a rockstar/artist/filmer (making movies). I like to sing too. I especially love drawing pictures of animatronics.

What is your favorite place to visit?D: Florida

What is your favorite food?D: Sushi

What are your other hobbies?D: I like creating horror games (like Goosebumps), filming them and playing them. A lot of what I create is from the pictures I draw.

Any special message for our community?D: Don’t do drugs, and it’s okay to be different!