Irish airport praised for creating a very special room for kids with autism

Flying is one of those experiences that you either love or you hate.

And for those travelling with children it can seem a daunting task.

But what if you have a child with special needs?

Children with autism or Sensory Processing Disorder generally find it difficult to process loud noises and struggle with crowds, making airports an incredibly difficult place to be.

Filled with lots of people and long queues, it can be a very scary place to be. 

Well, Shannon Airport has just taken the scariness out of the airport trek for children by introducing their new Airport Sensory Room.

In fact, it has become the FIRST in Europe to have a room dedicated to special needs children, and is a step in right direction. 

“This is an airport that welcomes everybody. With the new sensory room they have listened, they have watched and they have actually done” exclaimed Ann Norton, Mayor of Ennis and mother of a child with a disability.

Andrew Murphy, Managing Director explained: “It brings a great sense of pride, it’s a great sense of community and as you’ve heard, it’s a real tangible benefit to parents on their travels with their children.”

What do you think? Would you like to see it brought into airports worldwide?