Airports can be overwhelming for Autistic people, with bright fluorescent lights, loud announcements and bustling crowds creating sensory overload. These challenges often force many to endure significant stress or avoid air travel altogether, missing out on opportunities others might take for granted.
Despite improvements in recent years, the airport environment remains a major barrier to overseas trips for Autistic people and their families, particularly for families with young Autistic children. Things like using visual stories to walk a child through the experience ahead of time can be a huge help, but nothing compares to real hands-on experience.
In November 2024, ten Autistic students from Aspect South Sydney East school got just that, on a tour of Sydney Airport… including a look inside a real-life Qantas plane!
During the tour, students got to:
- Check-in with their boarding pass
- Pass through security
- Find their gate
- Board a plane, and even take a peek into the cockpit!
- Practice collecting baggage
