Helping autistic kids travel to Boston

Posted by Erica Noonan  May 13, 2009 09:42 AM
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Boston may be a world-famous center of autism research, but it doesn't do struggling familes much good if they can't get here.

Travel is often a total nightmare for kids with autism -- many can't handle the stimulation of an airplane and don't last more than 30 minutes in the car. (Dirty looks from clueless onlookers who can't see that their parents are doing their best with a challenging child are no fun either.)

Forget the crimp this puts in trips to Disney World -- the serious problem is that many autistic kids can't even tolerate a trip to see medical specialists who might be able to help.

A New Jersey couple -- parents of an autistic 10-year-old named Michael -- have launched a new service called Autism Escapes.

They got corporate jet owners and pilots to donate services so families can get a free private flight into Hanscom Air Force base in Lexington, and transportation to Mass General's reknowned LADDERS program for autistic kids.

The young passengers get an advance tour of the aircraft and the services of a behavioral therapist -- key for kids who don't do well with unfamiliar situations.

The first Autism Escapes arrives in Lexington this Friday -- happy flying!

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about the author

Erica Noonan is chief of the Globe West bureau. Before joining the Globe in 2000, she worked for the Associated Press in Boston. Raised in Wellesley, she has a master's degree in political communication from Emerson College and a BA in political science from Trinity University in San Antonio. She lives in Natick with two energetic children: Dennis, 6, and Lila, 4.

Contact Erica

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