‘Rewarding’ Wings for Autism program helps families practice travel for their child with autism

Bryan Lambert
·1 min read

Dozens of families stopped by Worcester Regional Airport Saturday.

But they weren’t there to catch a plane just yet.

The Wings for Autism program welcomed people in for an event that helps children with autism and other intellectual disabilities feel more comfortable getting on a flight.

They simulated everything about the process, including getting tickets, security, and boarding the plane itself.

The program started in 2011, and has held similar events at logan airport.

“It’s pretty awesome,” said Wings for Autism program coordinator Jennifer Ryan. “It’s really rewarding seeing the kids from 12 years of doing this that needed to keep coming, keep coming, keep coming and to see them finally go on a trip with their families, visit family across the country, go overseas.”

The program is now modeled at nearly 70 airports across the nation and Canada.

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