Cork Airport has responded to a request from Cork South West TD, and spokesperson on disability, Margaret Murphy O’Mahony for the airport to consider introducing an autism-friendly sensory room.
CORK Airport has responded to a request from Cork South West TD, and spokesperson on disability, Margaret Murphy O’Mahony for the airport to consider introducing an autism-friendly sensory room.
She made the call after Shannon Airport recently introduced such a facility.
‘I think Cork Airport should ensure that it provides the same services to ensure that potential business is not lost to Shannon Airport,’ she said.
A spokesperson for Cork Airport agreed that many individuals with autism can find travelling through an airport a very difficult and scary experience.
‘For many individuals it represents a new experience which is difficult to understand and sometimes very frightening,’ said the spokesperson, adding: ‘Cork Airport has devised a number of simple strategies to help passengers with autism understand the process of getting through the airport all of which are readily available on our website.’
‘As all individuals with autism learn and experience social situations in very different ways, selecting the strategy or combination of strategies that best suit them when travelling is very important,’ he added, saying Cork Airport encourages passengers and their parents or guardians to select the strategy that best fits the individual’s level of understanding.
‘Ensuring that they practise using the strategy before they come to the airport is also important. This helps those with autism implement it with confidence in the real life situation.’
