A friend of mine is trying to help his son, who is on the autism spectrum, become comfortable flying before a planned summer trip. His son has significant anxiety around airplanes, takeoff, elevators, escalators, and certain heights, even though he loves space and adventure in other settings.
They’ve already looked into airport accessibility programs and accommodations, but some local airport tour/familiarization programs are paused right now.
What seems to help him most is gradual exposure and seeing things ahead of time. For example, he recently handled a blood draw calmly after watching videos beforehand, which was a huge milestone.
The family is hoping to find:
• Airport or aircraft tours
• Opportunities to sit on or walk through an aircraft before travel
• Autism-friendly aviation programs
• Connections with pilots, airlines, airport staff, museums, training centers, or aerospace organizations
• Any ideas from parents or professionals who have helped a child overcome fear of flying
Given my RTX network , figured I’d ask here in case anyone knows of programs, contacts, or creative ideas. The location will be in the Baltimore DC area.
Appreciate any leads or experiences you’re willing to share.