TSA supports Wings for Autism

Since 2011, TSA and Wings for Autism® have partnered to provide families with children on the autism spectrum with a realistic security checkpoint practice run, complete with getting a boarding pass, going through security, boarding a plane, taxing, deplaning and leaving the airport. To date, more than 2,100 people on the autism spectrum and other intellectual and developmental disabilities have participated in the program, as well as nearly 2,500 family members. This partnership opens communications between TSA, families and travelers on the autism spectrum and intellectual disabilities so that TSA officers might learn how to best work with them. Supervisory Transportation Security Officer Armand Collins, who assisted with the Wings for Autism event at South Bend International Airport last spring, fondly remembers one participant’s reaction. “[The participant] came off of the plane through the jet bridge and into the terminal area; he announced loudly and happily, ‘Mom and Dad! We can go on vacation now! We can go to Atlanta and visit family!’” said Collins. “His parents were obviously ecstatic from his positive reaction and proceeded to stop and personally give thanks for the experience. I still get chills in reliving the contact with this family.”