Autism-Friendly Airports, Hotels Offer Travel Accessibility

Traveling with kids with autism can be very demanding. Many families are reluctant to travel or even visit new locations due to loud noises and unknown surroundings. Many do not take any vacations. It is quite stressful. Families are looking for inclusive, accommodating places so that individuals with autism can get familiar and used to them.

A few places do offer autism-friendly programs to ease this. For example, hotels in Concord, California, started free “practice stays” for families with autism in December. There is an early hotel check-in to avoid waiting and crowds. The ground-floor rooms are convenient if you need to pace or handle meltdowns. San Francisco International Airport has “rehearsals” for check-in and taking escalators to boarding. Additionally, San Jose to London Heathrow airport offers sunflower lanyards to individuals who may need support from the airline or TSA. This helps the airport staff prepare themselves to adapt to the guests' needs. Also, Day’s Connecticut-based Autism Double Checked prepares the staff and certifies hotels and airlines from “autism aware” to “autism ready,” training them in food needs and security in case an individual with autism decides to run off.

Many hotels around the world are enrolling themselves as autism-friendly and working to make changes to support guests with autism and sensory needs. These programs will not only help the neurodiverse community but also increase travel business.