For Mike and Katie Giroud, family vacations have always been full of excitement, but since the birth of their son Tyler, even the thought of boarding a plane felt daunting.
“We didn’t know how he would react to going on a plane,” said Katie Giroud of her 5-year-old son, who is non-verbal and has autism. “Being on a plane involves a lot of strangers, a lot of noises, and a lot of waiting.”
For Tyler, those everyday travel experiences can feel overwhelming. “We have two other kids, and we love to take family vacations, but we just didn’t know if it was possible for us,” Katie explained.
Then they discovered Wings for Autism, a program that gives children with autism, or other hidden disabilities, a chance to experience a practice flight. Families go through the full airport routine: check-in, TSA security, and boarding a simulated flight. While the plane doesn’t actually take off, the event helps families understand how their child reacts to the experience, while TSA and airline staff learn how to provide support and accommodations.
“It gave us the blueprint for what we need to successfully go on a flight with Tyler,” Katie said.
The Girouds weren’t alone. More than 50 families signed up for the first-ever Wings for Autism event at Tampa International Airport, organized by The Arc Tampa Bay in partnership with Southwest Airlines.
Sarah Hinson attended with her 7-year-old son, Hayes. “There’s a lot of fear there,” she said. “All of the fears of the unknown, the fears of not having an immediate exit route, being locked on a plane, and even worrying about how other people will react.”
Despite her concerns, Hayes handled the experience beautifully. “It just really gives us more confidence to fly and actually know that we can do it,” Sarah said. “I’m so proud of him. Everyone we interacted with today was just above and beyond.”
During the simulated flight, the Southwest crew made announcements, closed overhead bins, and even served snacks, helping children anticipate what a real flight would be like.
Event organizer Brian Siracusa of The Arc Tampa Bay highlighted the value of the program for airport staff as well. “They get to understand some of the unique challenges our individuals face on a daily basis,” he said. “It was a huge success.”
For the Girouds, the event marked a huge milestone. “My sister is getting married in Portland, Oregon, and Tyler is in the wedding,” Katie said. “It gave us the opportunity to identify where Tyler struggled so we can be best prepared for an actual flight.”
With families already planning their first flights in years, The Arc Tampa Bay is looking forward to organizing future Wings for Autism events at TPA.
For more information or to receive alerts about future events near you, visit The Arc Wings for Autism website.
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