An Airport Rehearsal For Children With Autism
Over 70 people from Connecticut attended Wings for Autism, a social learning experience for children and teens with autism, hosted by Autism Families CONNECTicut (AFC) at Bradley International Airport. Families encountered the sights, sounds, and activities of a traditional airport experience by participating in check-in and security lines, waiting, boarding and sitting on the plane, arrival, and baggage retrieval.
"For a child with autism who may have extreme sensitivities to noise and commotion, it provided an invaluable way for them to practice a process that otherwise may result in sensory overload," said Leah Moon, president of AFC.
Wings for Autism is a program created by the Charles River Autism Support Center and was presented in partnership with AFC, Connecticut Airport Authority, Bradley International Airport, Southwest Airlines,Delta Airlines, JetBlue, and the Transportation Security Administration.
"For a child with autism who may have extreme sensitivities to noise and commotion, it provided an invaluable way for them to practice a process that otherwise may result in sensory overload," said Leah Moon, president of AFC.
Wings for Autism is a program created by the Charles River Autism Support Center and was presented in partnership with AFC, Connecticut Airport Authority, Bradley International Airport, Southwest Airlines,Delta Airlines, JetBlue, and the Transportation Security Administration.
Jackie Procyk, mother of a nine year-old boy with autism, said her family reaped the rewards of practicing the airport experience through Wings for Autism. "Traveling by plane had previously felt off limits to my family. It wasn't until Wings for Autism that we built the confidence to book a trip to Disney World."
Autism Families CONNECTicut is a nonprofit organization formed by parents and families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The mission is in the name. We CONNECT individuals with ASD to each other and the community by providing recreational opportunities, social activities and educational information. Visit our website http://www.autismfamiliesct.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter @AutismFamCT.
Wings for Autism was created by the Charles River Center, an affiliated chapter of The Arc, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Port Authority. For additional information about bringing Wings to an airport near you, please email wingsforautism@thearc.org.
Autism Families CONNECTicut is a nonprofit organization formed by parents and families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The mission is in the name. We CONNECT individuals with ASD to each other and the community by providing recreational opportunities, social activities and educational information. Visit our website http://www.autismfamiliesct.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter @AutismFamCT.
Wings for Autism was created by the Charles River Center, an affiliated chapter of The Arc, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Port Authority. For additional information about bringing Wings to an airport near you, please email wingsforautism@thearc.org.
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