Air travel – or travel of any kind, for that matter – can be a challenge for individuals with autism.
That’s not to say it’s impossible. With air travel becoming more prevalent, we offer the following resources and suggestions to help prepare for air travel.
Airports
More and more airports are offering accommodation for individuals with autism. Check the airport’s website in advance. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports, participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, offering sunflower lanyards as a discreet way to communicate with airport staff about a non-visible disability. Newark has pre-security and post-security sensory rooms in Terminal A. JFK has one post-security in Terminal 4, and LaGuardia has one post-security in Terminal C. Some airports also offer free sensory bags, which contain items like noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and coloring books.
TSA Cares
The Transportation Security Administration offers assistance at the screening checkpoints via its TSA Cares Program. Sign up in advance using this web form at least 72 hours before your scheduled flight.
Airlines
In advance of your travel, connect directly with your airline about any special accommodations you might need before takeoff or in-flight. One of the more common accommodations airlines offer is pre-boarding for individuals with autism, allowing them to board in a more controlled atmosphere and giving the family an opportunity to get settled while the plane is emptier. Here are some direct links to the more popular carriers.
 |  |  |  |  |
| American | Delta | Jet Blue | Southwest | United |
Airline accommodations will never supersede essential safety and security measures required of the gate and in-flight crew but making a direct connection with the airline staff to explain your particular needs can make a difference.
Practice and Prepare
Airports sometimes offer events that allow airport and airplane tours and rehearsals to help familiarize individuals with autism to the air travel process. The availability of these programs in this area may vary.
One such program, Wings for Autism/Wings for All, is sponsored by The Arc. To be alerted when these events are scheduled at your local airport, fill out the form here:
Use Visuals
In the absence of hands-on exposure, social stories or first-then board might help to aid in teaching and preparing for going to an airport and flying on a plane.
Here are some social stories for you to try:
Travel Is Possible
Many autism families opt for local trips via train and car travel instead, if air travel is too big a challenge. Published survey research indicates that families with children with autism go on fewer vacations than families of neurotypical children and that they experience a number of challenges and stressors to participating in tourism.
Hopefully, with greater awareness from airports and airlines looking to accommodate special needs and preparations on the part of families, the skies will be wide open to all travelers.
Life Imitates Art
In fact, while a dramatization, movie buffs may recall that this exact issue was a key plot point in the movie, Rainman, a renowned depiction of autism on screen.
Experience our Power of Connection
For additional information about travel accommodations or for assistance with accessing resources, contact Autism New Jersey at 800.4.AUTISM or email information@autismnj.org.