The Fifth Annual ‘Wings for Autism’ Event Was A Massive Success!

Flying, especially the first time, can be a nightmare for anyone, but Wings for Autism’ is helping children with autism and parents prepare for their first flight!

Airports and flying can be a stressful situation, even for the most experienced flyers. For people with autism, a sensory overload at airports can be particularly stressful. One airport has come up with a unique way to help children with autism prepare for their next airport trip.

The Asheville Regional Airport hosted its annual ‘Wings for Autism’ event on Saturday, January 25th, 2020. The event is part of an international campaign to help children with sensory conditions such as autism prepare for flying and the stress associated with navigating busy airline terminals.

Kids arrive at the airport and receive a boarding pass for their flight. They experience what it’s like to transition from checking in and receiving a ticket through to navigating the airport security checkpoints.

Once they make their way from the ticket counter and through security, they proceed through to the gate area of the airport where they wait for their flight. While they remain at the gate area of the airport, they receive a light snack and then board an Allegiant airplane. The plane never leaves the ground, but the children get to experience one of the most challenging aspects of traveling by air.

Andrew Porrello, with Allegiant Air, said that parents who had attended the event had seen some excellent early results. “We have multiple participants that come and either the next day, the next month, write to us and say, ‘Our child was able to do it. We never thought that they could travel. Now we can get on a plane and be at our dream destination, be on vacation in no time,’”

Multiple businesses took part in the Wings for Autism event, including Allegiant Air, Asheville Regional Airport, TSA, and ARC of Buncombe County, all collaborated in the event. Check out the Wings for Autism website to see if there are any events planned in your local area.