Wings for Autism partnered with autism Families CONNECTicut to offer a social learning experience that simulates traveling by plane. The event was held at Bradley international Airport, in South Windsor.

1. This family heads toward luggage check-in at Bradley. The family, including
two sons with autism, took part in the Wings for Autism program. Mom, in
red, talks to airport staff as a pre-teen son follows. A teenage son walks
hand-in-hand with his father. This airport trial will help determine if the
family drives or flies to Disney World, in Florida, this summer

2. Wings for Autism organizers met 60 participants, all families with
children on the autism spectrum. Wings for Autism offers a social
learning experience that simulates traveling by plane. Ellen
Kilicarslan, left, holds up the tee-shirt given to participants. Jennifer
Robtoy, right, first came up with the idea for the support program.

3. Families wait in line at the airport’s security checkpoint. Even if they
don’t fly, the exercise offers important, hands-on experience for
children with autism. Far right, Michael Lynch keeps an eye on kids,
Micaela and Domenic, while waiting with wife, Diana Paulin.
Micaela, 10, is on the autism spectrum.

4. Waiting on lines is often a big part of traveling by plane.
Children with autism can easily become overwhelmed in new
environments. Places with lots of activity, people and noise can easily
result in sensory overload, causing a child to shut-down.

5. Event organizers, including Jackie Procyk, left, and Leah Bailey Moon,
center, of Autism Families CONNECTicut, and Jennifer Robtoy, of
Wings for Autism, carefully monitor the event’s progress
with Transportation Security Administration staff.

6. Families gather in the baggage claim area after their 30-minute
experience onboard a typical passenger plane. It offered all normal
procedures for boarding, preparing for take-off and landing,
disembarking, and retrieving luggage. All children were reported to
have come through with “flying colors,” by organizers.

7. Airport personnel and event organizers address the group at a
reception with cake, drinks and gift bags for the children. Event
partners hope to sponsor the Wings for Autism program annually.

8. Representatives from a variety of airport departments got involved in
the program that also provided educational and sensitivity training for
personnel when interacting with travelers on the autism spectrum.