A couple with their four young children arrived at the John F Kennedy airport in New York City to practice what it would be like traveling with their autistic child, according to SF Gate.
Tom and Zsuzsa Price has a four-year old son, Callum, who was diagnosed with autism. The entire family checked in, went through security and boarded JetBlue Flight 001. JetBlue Airways and the nonprofit Autism Speaks set up an air travel practice session for families who have children with the disorder.
JetBlue officials said it was the first such event at the JFK, one of the nation's busiest airports. "We had no idea what to expect, we didn't know whether we'd have to turn around and go home," said Zsuzsa Price, of Bayshore, N.Y. "We're grateful to have the chance to try it out."
Autism spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges and now affects one in 88 children, according to Autism Speaks, which offers support and aims to raise awareness of the disorder. JetBlue officials said they wanted to teach their employees tools to help make travel comfortable for people with autism - who represent a growing number of customers.
"The more tools we supply to our crew members, the better we can serve our customers," said JetBlue spokeswoman Kate Wetzel. JetBlue workers volunteered their time, and the airline absorbed the cost of using the plane for the afternoon. About 300 parents and children attended. The Airbus 320 departed the gate and taxied around the tarmac for 20 minutes before returning. Parents said they appreciated the ability to practice with their children, who ranged on the spectrum from mild to severe and in age from toddler to adult.
