Air travel is stressful even for frequent, experienced travelers, so when an autistic child is thrown into the mix, the difficulty level soars. Now, a new program is trying to help families ease the experience of traveling with an autistic child, according to USA Today.
For families with a child on the autism spectrum, there is the added trials of calming them when they are unnerved by lines and security procedures, and the tight quarters and strange noises that come with air travel.
The Littlejohn family traveled to Orlando with a six-year-old son in 2010 and the experience was unpleasant.
"My son Henry, then six, has autism but had traveled well before," Susie Littlejohn said. "This time he was very anxious on the way to the airport.
"And by the time we got on the plane he was melting down, kicking and screaming," she continued. Her husband ended up taking their other son while Susie and Henry got off the plane.
Littlejohn then thought that the travel process might go more smoothly if autistic children had a way to practice going to the airport, through security and getting onto the airplane. She spoke to Jennifer Robtoy, the director of Autism Services at the Charles River Center in Needham, Massachusetts, who got in touch with Massport, which operates Logan airport in Boston.
"Within an hour of sending an e-mail to Massport, I got a reply," Robtoy said. Within six months, Wings for Autism was created. It is now a regular event offering families with children on the autism spectrum to go to the airport and get on an airplane during a low-stress, dry run.
"A lot of families aren't sure if air travel is a possibility for them if they have a child with autism," Littlejohn said. "But during this event they simulate everything as if you're traveling."
Littlejohn has attended every event that Wings for Autism has hosted.
"You park, take the moving walkway from the garage, wait in line, show your ID, get boarding passes and make your way through security," she said. "Everyone has a boarding time and gets on a plane."
During the event, the airplane engines are kept running so the children can feel the heat and hear the noise from the engine. While the planes don't actually takeoff, the cabin door is closed and secured and the safety announcements are made. There are even beverages served and a snack service.
"We've found that some kids have issues walking down the jet way or when it's time to step on the plane," Brad Martin, the director of customer service at Boston Logan airport, said.
For other kids, it's getting strapped into their seatbelt or going through the emergency drill.
"We know that for some kids it's just not doable," Martin said. "But some kids are just fine with everything and then the family knows they can do this."
The program doesn't just help the children. It also teaches airport and airline employees, as well as TSA officers, about the challenges autism can place on travel.
"They learn what to look for and how to handle certain situations and it teaches them to be patient and to see how they can help," Martin said.
"If other passengers see a staff member willing to give a hand when a child with autism is having a hard time at the airport, they may also be more accepting, aware and sympathetic," Littlejohn said.
Autism affects one in 88 children nationwide, and Wings for Autism is expanding to Detroit and Baltimore airports. JetBlue is also hosting events at Burbank, California and New York's JFK airport this fall.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
