New Flight Simulator Event Helps Children with Autism Overcome Airport Stress

One family discusses their concerns regarding an upcoming trip. Mindy Hunt is the mother of a nine-year-old child with autism and they are planning a trip to Disney World. Most first-time flyers have some anxiety about flying, but Mindy is particularly concerned about her daughter’s first flying experience. Generally uncomplicated things such as waiting in the airport can be a challenge for her. Hunt expresses her concerns, saying, “We’re kind of worried about how she’ll do. I want her to get kind of familiar with it, and not get kicked off the plane when we do try it." She is also hoping that the event will raise awareness. Other families may not recognize when a travelling child has autism, or if they do, they may not understand the significance of this. Awareness can help make the experience less stressful for everyone. Children with autism have trouble expressing what they are feeling. Hunt says that you cannot look at her daughter and tell when something is wrong. When she becomes disruptive, other people just think that she is being unruly and they judge Hunt’s parenting.

Another parent is just hoping that her family will learn what they need to do when preparing to fly. Tiffany Van Gelder says that being surrounded by a lot of people is overwhelming for her four children with autism. They are currently planning a trip and she hopes that her kids will learn from the simulation, so their trip will be a bit easier.