The increasing number of sensory rooms in airports around the world reflects a growing awareness of the needs of neurodiverse travellers. These dedicated spaces provide a calming retreat from the often overwhelming sensory stimuli of air travel, offering a much-needed sense of peace and comfort.
Airports are a whirlwind of activity, with people rushing about dragging suitcases, non-stop announcements, and an overwhelming amount of information to process at a rapid pace. This travel experience can be particularly stressful for neurodiverse individuals, with those on the autism spectrum at a higher risk of sensory overload. Recognising this, an increasing number of airports are providing sensory rooms – designated areas of tranquility designed to alleviate some of the travel stress.
From airports in the United States like Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) and Seattle (Washington) to Dublin in Ireland, this trend suggests these oases are highly valued by passengers. Pittsburgh International Airport states that its sensory room, Presley's Place, “offers a calming space for families to relax.” San Francisco (California) airport has also opened a similar facility. While open to everyone, the space was specifically designed for neurodiverse travellers and their families. It even features a replica of an aircraft interior to help travellers familiarise themselves with the environment. Seattle Airport created a space equipped with a rocking chair, dimmable lighting, and a starry night ceiling, aiming to provide “... a calming environment for those who may feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, or find the need to re-centre from the multitude of sights and sounds of the airport travel experience.” Dublin Airport, meanwhile, has built two sensory rooms to “... help calm passengers who might feel overwhelmed in busy and unfamiliar airport surroundings.” Passengers departing from the airport can use these rooms free of charge, with 60-minute sessions available through a booking system.However, globally, the number of airports offering these facilities remains relatively small. If you find yourself in need of peace and quiet, the most likely place to find it is in memorial and prayer rooms, which are generally open to travellers of any religious denomination. Many airports also offer additional support for individuals with non-visible impairments by issuing sunflower lanyards. These serve as a discreet indication for those affected to signal that they have an impairment that may not be immediately apparent, alerting airport staff and other travellers that they might require more time or assistance in certain situations. Kuala Lumpur International Airport also has its own Butterfly Effect initiative, catering to passengers with hidden disabilities like autism. According to KLIA’s official website, the Butterfly Effect is a theory describing how small changes can result in unpredictable consequences over time. “We believe that introducing autism-friendly facilities is a start towards creating a better experience for our special guests,” it states. The initiative features a Calm Room at Terminal 1 and several Sensory Walls at both terminals. The Calm Room is colourful and brightly lit, with some sensory-stimulating activity stations. The Sensory Walls are interactive touch panels that can “... help individuals with autism calm down through different types of tactile, visual and auditory play”. Passengers needing this service must pre-register online before visiting the Airport Care InfoCentre located at Terminal 1 (Level 5) or the Airport Information Counter at Terminal 2 (Level 3) to collect the “Butterfly kit”, which includes a special lanyard. This lanyard alerts airport staff to your needs and grants you access to priority lanes at security, immigration, and customs checkpoints. The same lanyard can be used for future airport visits; however, you'll need to register again. For more information, visit https://airports.malaysiaairports.com.my/
SENSORY ROOMS AIRPORTS NEURODIVERSITY AUTISM TRAVEL EXPERIENCE PASSENGER SUPPORT AIRPORT FACILITIES KLIA BUTTERFLY EFFECT
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