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Objectives <p>Air travel presents challenges for children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. Despite notable contributions, systematic evaluation of programs to improve accessibility of air travel for children and young adults with ASD is limited. The present study adds to emerging literature on air travel accessibility interventions by describing the acceptability and satisfaction of the Leading Individuals Forward Together (LIFT) program, an in vivo air travel rehearsal program for families of children and young adults with ASD that incorporates several evidence-based practices.</p> Methods <p>Caregivers of children and young adults with ASD who participated in the LIFT program were surveyed after completing the program to provide feedback about whether they found the program to be beneficial and whether they found components of the program helpful.</p> Results <p>Regarding acceptability, all participants surveyed reported the overall LIFT program to be beneficial for their family. Participants found the components of the rehearsal day and the visual supports used in the program helpful. Caregivers of children and young adults with ASD reported increased confidence and decreased stress levels after participation in LIFT, as well as feeling more prepared and more likely to fly with their child/young adult with ASD. This study also explores factors that might affect the decisions of parents of children and young adults with ASD for choosing air travel.</p> Conclusions <p>The current study provides the initial proof of concept and rationale for conducting a more methodologically rigorous and resource-intensive study to further test the impact of the LIFT program.</p>

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Practice Makes Possible: Preliminary Feasibility of an Air Travel Accessibility Program for Children and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Families

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年5月6日

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  • Jennifer D. Smith,
  • Frank Wamsley,
  • Arin Contra Gile,
  • Stephanie Weber,
  • Ryan Adams,
  • Anna J. Esbensen,
  • Rebecca C. Shaffer,
  • Kara Ayers

摘要

Objectives

Air travel presents challenges for children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. Despite notable contributions, systematic evaluation of programs to improve accessibility of air travel for children and young adults with ASD is limited. The present study adds to emerging literature on air travel accessibility interventions by describing the acceptability and satisfaction of the Leading Individuals Forward Together (LIFT) program, an in vivo air travel rehearsal program for families of children and young adults with ASD that incorporates several evidence-based practices.

Methods

Caregivers of children and young adults with ASD who participated in the LIFT program were surveyed after completing the program to provide feedback about whether they found the program to be beneficial and whether they found components of the program helpful.

Results

Regarding acceptability, all participants surveyed reported the overall LIFT program to be beneficial for their family. Participants found the components of the rehearsal day and the visual supports used in the program helpful. Caregivers of children and young adults with ASD reported increased confidence and decreased stress levels after participation in LIFT, as well as feeling more prepared and more likely to fly with their child/young adult with ASD. This study also explores factors that might affect the decisions of parents of children and young adults with ASD for choosing air travel.

Conclusions

The current study provides the initial proof of concept and rationale for conducting a more methodologically rigorous and resource-intensive study to further test the impact of the LIFT program.