Wings for Autism hosted a successful event for families at Boston Logan International Airport on Saturday November 4, 2023. In partnership with the TSA, Massport, Charles River Center, Massachusetts’s State Police and local airlines, a successful dress rehearsal and unveiling of a new sensory room kicked off. The Wings For Autism program is aimed at helping families acclimate those with autism or who are on the autism spectrum to the sights and sounds of flying prior to booking a trip. Since the programs inception in 2011 over 7,000 children and families have benefited from the free events.
A Successful Dress Rehearsal
In newly expanded terminal E, over 645 families embarked on a dress rehearsal to better familiarize themselves with the airport process. This includes printing boarding passes, checking bags clearing security and even boarding the aircraft. Dozens of volunteers including some four legged friends from Customs Border Protection (CBP) helped make the event possible and fun! The 645 attendees had the chance to hop aboard two parked aircraft allowing families to acclimate to the aircraft environment.
A New Dedicated Sensory Room
Massport and The Charles River Center collaborated in designing a new sensory room located post security in the recently expanded terminal E. In an interview with Jennifer Robtoy Director of Autism Support at The Charles River Center said that, “the new sensory room offers a calming place and allows parents and their children a place to reset before boarding a flight.” The space features a calming seating area and a full sized cabin mockup where families can familiarize themselves with the space of the aircraft prior to boarding an actual aircraft.
How To Volunteer Or Sign Up
Those looking to get involved with volunteering of donating can reach out to the Charles River Center or visit Charlesrivercenter.org. Families can sign up for future events at no charge by reaching out to wingsforautism@massport.com for more information.