Airport Field Trip for ASD Students

​This past school year, our school was selected to be the pilot airport field trip for Florida!

What is an airport field trip? Students will go with their parents to the airport, bring a carry on bag, check in and get an airline ticket, go through the security TSA check point, wait for airplane, board airplane and experience the routine of seatbelts, waiting for airplane to leave, the door was shut and the plane was turned on.  Although we did not move, the experience was very rewarding for students to experience.

This project took a village: TSA, Jet Blue staff, school staff, and many more. 

It was truly a privilege and an honor to work with such wonderful people in this project.

As we know for most field trips, we must prepare students ahead of time, in order to ensure success. My co workers and I put a lot of effort in to ensuring the student will get a duplicate experience as close as possible.

We started brainstorming how we could help our students ensure the would model and experience the activities they would at the airport.

We took an empty portable and decided to turn into an airplane/TSA check point. We used black fabric to divide the portable in 2. Then since we had two doors, we used the door with stairs for TSA check points and then they had to get off and go to the side with the ramp to board the airplane.

First, we used pvc pipes to create an arc and cover it with a tarp. This was used to simulate the boarding bridge experience. Our students will often struggle through this area due to the sound and closed/dark space. The ramp simulated the sounds you would hear in the boarding bridge. I think this was the most helpful component of our simulation. Students were desensitized by the time we got to the airport field trip. 

TSA Checkpoint

Students had to come in, put their belonging in the baskets, take off their shoes. Then pass through the metal detector, we taught them to put their hands up and count to five. As well, we taught them that sometimes TSA security might ask to check their hands and wipe their hands. We imitated this by cleaning them with a baby wipe.

Another important thing to do, is have students bring a preferred toy through the process to practice relinquishing the item at checkpoint.  We used stop and go visuals. And reviewed hand signals for stop and go that they might see at the airport.

Airplane

Inside, we created chairs with seat numbers. We provided laminated airplane ticket and assigned different seat numbers each times. This would help students learn that they don't always get the same seat number. In this process, we would model for students where to place carry on bags, how to pretend to put seatbelts. We had to separators infront of the the front chairs, where we put seatbelt pictures.

I was honored to be selected to go train airport staff. I was truly freaking out!!! And to top it all, I had lost my voice the day of the training. I tried everything various tea, non stop drinking water, cough drops and you name it, but my voice was not full back. My principal just said make it work, and so I did!! 

I was a little overwhelmed, and scared. I kept thinking these people will not take me seriously. 
Remember I would be training the scary TSA people who never smile!!! The top directors of TSA and customer service managers were there!!! Sheriff, pilots, check in staff, stewards, and anyone you could possibly meet! 

As I prepared the presentation, I thought what would be beneficial for airport staff to know to work with our students with autism spectrum disorder. I began by providing basic information about autism and the struggles they go through. But my direction was towards explaining language deficits and how to handle them in the airport setting. I reviewed using brief short phrases and provided them a review of using visuals/pecs with our students. As well, I explained a little about devices and the importance for some of our nonverbal students. 

The training became a wonderful experience, as these people were the most collaborating team. They were so cooperating and willing to participate, I was amazed and touched. They would not only listen to me in my ugly voice!!! But bring up their concerns and different scenarios they have experience and how they could handle them. I was shocked to hear that they would now be adapting the visuals I provided each of them to add in each security line!!! WHOOOHOOOO making changes. 

Remember, knowledge is power. Tell you parents to please advise the airline that their children have a disability. The airport staff cannot help IF THEY DO NOT KNOW YOU NEED HELP! We were told if they are given heads up, they will provided separate lines to go through security. This will give each parent the opportunity to take their time, have less pressure from other people waiting behind them and this is a great source in case their children are having difficulty!

Check out my social story I created. It is quite long as this airport experience has numerous long steps. I added pictures and pecs, therefore it can be used with various verbal and non verbal students. I tried to keep it in short sentences per page to not overwhelm the students. 

TPT Airport Social Story

I had the privilege to be my school's spokesperson throughout the event!!! 
So check out how this event turn out... I had minute fame spots, as we came out in the news!! LOL

Becon TV Autism In Flight

Sun Sentinel News 

 Channel 10 Local News

I hope other teachers and administrators look into this for our students. This is a life skill that many parents are unable to do with their kids. If they get use to it, the students are no longer worried about going to the airport. The only anxiety is taking off and flying.

Hopefully this inspires your school to make a difference!!! 
 Contact your local airport and Jet Blue. 
 They were absolutely wonderful.