An innovative collaboration between Belfast City Airport and Queen’s University, Belfast is enabling children living with autism to enjoy stress-free travel on their family holidays.
The ‘Autism in the Air’ initiative was pioneered by Dr Nichola Booth from the university’s School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, who previously worked with an autism charity.
‘Autism in the Air’ comprises a series of videos covering different aspects of the journey through Belfast City Airport; try-before-you-fly events to help identify any potential issues; and a hidden disability lanyard. There are also advance familiarisation events, which give families to visit the airport before their trip and get familiar with the experience.
Speaking to The Irish News, Dr Booth explained the newly updated ‘Autism in the Air’ videos originated from her work with families with autistic children who were not able to go on holiday.
“We had one family where the mammy would stay at home and the daddy would go off for a week. Then, when he came back, she went away,” recalled Dr Booth.
“That is not the way family life should be,” she added.
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“We met the then CEO of Belfast City Airport and discussed the idea of making video models, filmed from the perspective of a child, of the different stages of going through the airport, to boarding a plane.
“There is a lot of evidence to show that video modelling is a very effective of teaching skills for kids with additional needs. They can watch them in their home environment and then practice that skill in the real life.
“From that we started offering in-person events in the airport, where I would take a group of parents and their kids down to the airport. We would work with staff there and go through all the steps of the airport and everyone would then get on grounded aeroplane.
“The kids would watch the videos and then they would practice that in real life in preparation for a flight,” said Dr Booth.
The ‘Autism in the Air’ videos were updated earlier this summer due to changes in the airport and changes to regulations, although they still show a person, Dr Booth, walking through the airport and voicing what she is doing.
Bill Doole, duty manager at Belfast City Airport, said: “Our ‘Autism in the Air’ initiative stemmed from the unique challenges individuals with autism and their families face when travelling.
“The feedback we’ve received from the public has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the clarity and reassurance the videos provide.”
