Airport aid for autistic travellers

Manchester Airport has launched an information guide to help passengers travelling with autistic children.

The free printed guide called Airport Awareness uses airport images to show what to expect at each stage through the airport — arriving, checking–in, security and returning home.

The guide is the initiative of airport employee Katy Gough, who secured funding from the airport’s Customer First scheme, which invests in staff suggestions that improve the airport for passengers.

Launched to coincide with World Autism Awareness Day and the start of the busy Easter season, Ms Gough created the guide after several passengers requested photographs of the airport to allow them to plan their trip.

Ms Gough, who works as a press officer at the airport, has personal experience of the disorder through a member of her immediate family and wanted to use her experience to help those passengers whose children have Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

The unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport can cause a great deal of stress and worry both for the young passengers with ASD, but also their families.

Ms Gough explained: “I’ve worked with several autism charities such as Bolton Kidz2gether, The National Autistic Society and Autistic Society Greater Manchester Area to understand what makes travelling through airports difficult.

“The main problems are that the airport environment is an alien one and processes such as check–in and security require co–operation with strict guidelines.

“However, by including chronological information in the guide about each stage of travelling through the airport and by illustrating the guide with photographs, parents are able to plan their journey with their child, helping them to understand what to expect.”