New Flight Simulator Event Helps Children with Autism Overcome Airport Stress

Vaughan explains how autism being an invisible disability further broadens the gap of understanding in society. Parents often worry that they will not be able to travel with their children. The simulation event allows them to try this experience and be reassured that they can handle it. This flight simulation has been occurring for six years and has become so popular that, unfortunately, a few people every year are not able to participate due to the event filling up.

Families with more than one child must prepare even more. Keeping track of kids in an airport and successfully making it through security can be terrifying. Amber Jones, a mother of four, is not worried about her son with autism. She’s concerned about being able to keep an eye on her other children. She says that her son Quinton is a runner, so having a practice event is important. This simulation gives her the opportunity to teach him about airport safety while also figuring out how to keep track of her other children. She says that as a family, they do not travel much because it is dangerous. She expresses how grateful she is for these types of opportunities.