Traveling with children with autism can be very difficult. A simulation flight experience, hosted by Breeze Airways at Rhode Island T.F. Green Airport helps families of kids with autism have the chance to feel more confident before traveling with their children.
The simulation, called Autism Flies, allowed families to go through the entire experience of flying on an airplane. The Almedia family was one of the first to try out Autism Flies with their desires of going to Disney World.
“I want to see what we’re going to be up against and how they’re going to behave once the cabins close . . . and they’ve got to sit still,” Almeida said, as the trio rocked and jumped around in a wagon in the airport terminal alongside their father, John. “As you can tell, just here, they won’t stop. So I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like there”.
The CEO of Autism Double-Checked, – a hotel agency for families with autistic members – Alan Day explains how airports are very unfamiliar to people with autism. He then carries on to say how being unfamiliar is very difficult for autistic people and how practicing this process can be a “godsend”.
Breeze flight attendants have been trained on how to identify passengers who are on the autism spectrum, how to approach them, how to speak with them, and potential triggers they may possess. There have now been multiple successes in families with autistic children while flying, and Breeze Airways is excited to continue to help other families!