O
n a brisk Saturday
morning in April, the
Isaac family drove two
and a half hours to attend a
special “rehearsal” program
sponsored by The Arc of
Northern Virginia, in partnership with United Airlines and
the Metropolitan Washington
Airport Authority. The “Wings
for All” program would afford
11-year-old Sam Isaac, along
with 65 other participants and
their families, the opportunity
to practice entering the airport, obtain boarding passes,
go through security, board a
real plane and even claim their
checked bags at baggage claim.
her while preparing this article,
“There is a huge difference
between what we perceive
will be a problem and what
will actually be a problem.
Sometimes you just don’t
know until you try!”
Robert Isaac and his boys practicing what it is like to board a plane and prepare for
takeoff.
WINGS FOR AUTISM
the most experienced traveler, but for those
While the Issacs waited to
on the spectrum, it can be that much
board the mock United
more daunting. Unfamiliar settings,
flight to “nowhere,”
bright lights, loud noises, crowds,
the family glanced
moving sidewalks, tight spaces
at pictures of a Punta
… it is easy to see why someCana resort on their
one could become overiPad. Sam actually
Flying can be
whelmed. Thankfully, many
looked up from his
for even the most
airlines, airports, TSA and
phone and smiled
several other organizations
when his mother
experienced traveler,
are working together to
mentioned that
but for those on the spectrum,
make the skies more
the hotel has 12
autism-friendly so that
different outdoor
it can be that much
families like the Issacs have
pools. “He loves
the opportunity to explore
swimming,” his
the world and Sam can have
father Robert added.
a chance to try out all those
“If we can just get him
pools!
there, I know he will
have fun!” While nervous
The following is a sample of some of the
about doing so, the Isaacs
programs that are available to autistic travelers and their families.
had just booked their first-ever
Most share the same characteristics of exposing the autistic pasfamily vacation, which they
senger to the experience of flying ahead of time. While these types
plan to take in August. That is
of rehearsals can’t guarantee that your flight will be turbulenceIF they can get their son Sam
free, it is a great way to figure out what areas may pose greater
on the flight to the Dominican
challenges so that you can seek further accommodations or make
Republic.
better plans. As Karen Wolf-Branigin, Senior Executive Officer of
National Initiatives for The Arc, reminded us when we spoke with
Flying can be stressful for even
“
stressful
more daunƟng.”
14
Our hope is that by reading
this article, more families will
be able to spread their wings!
As I am sure the Isaac family
will tell you, seeing your
child test out the water in
12 different pools is worth
the extra effort!
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
(National – See website for airport
locations)
Wings for Autism® (also known
in some places as Wings for All)
is one of The Arc’s national
initiatives programs specially
designed for individuals with
autism spectrum disorders
(or other intellectual or
developmental disabilities)
and their families. The goal
of the program is to alleviate
some of the stress of traveling
by air.
The Wings for Autism program
began in 2011 in Boston and
has continued to grow, offering
between 12 and 15 events each
year at different airports across
the country. The video on page
17 provides a glimpse into the
program and why it is so effective and rewarding for both
Photos taken by Conner Cummings during the Wings for All ARC of Northern
Virginia event.
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
15