Current:Home > MarketsOliver James Montgomery-SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters -AssetBase
Oliver James Montgomery-SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
Surpassing View
Date:2025-04-08 04:12:35
The San Francisco International Airport has introduced a new sensory room designed to give neurodivergent travelers some relief from flying jitters.
Airports are a whirlwind of activity: long lines, blaring announcements and the never-ending stream of travelers racing to their gates.
While most take it in stride, for 29-year-old Nico Ambata, it's always been a little too much.
"It took my wife three years of convincing me to finally go on vacation," he said.
Ambata has debilitating ADHD. For him, the unpredictability of flying isn't just stressful; it's paralyzing.
"I like to explain that I have a million channels playing in my head at the same time," he said.
But this time, Ambata and his wife Jhasmine are taking their first step at conquering the chaos of travel. They've boarded a plane at San Francisco International Airport. Or least it seems that way.
With two rows of seats, overhead bins and even working lights, the cabin simulator is the centerpiece of SFO's new sensory room designed for neurodivergent travelers looking to ease their feelings of nervousness over flying.
Christopher Birch, SFO's Guest Experience Director, said the $1.2 million space includes soundproof walls, dim lighting, and sensory tools to help travelers decompress before their flight.
"The reason to do this is almost like a rehearsal," he said. "To go through the boarding and the sitting process before you actually do it and to give a sense of familiarity when the time comes to actually board the airplane."
Airports across the country are dedicated spaces for neurodivergent travelers. While anyone can enjoy them, they're designed for those who need it most. Jono and Marie Miller were using the room with their two boys, 8-year-old Will and 10-year-old Johnny, who are on the spectrum.
"Just letting kids know what to expect helps with that transition a lot and probably helps to not have so many meltdowns," Marie Miller said.
As for Ambata, the space is all he needed to feel grounded.
"I'm ready," he said.
The sensory room is located at SFO's Harvey Milk Terminal, but can be accessed from all areas of the airport.
- In:
- San Francisco International Airport
- Psychology
- San Francisco
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
veryGood! (33257)
Related
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Fatal shooting by police in north Mississippi is under state investigation
- Chinese leaders wrap up annual economic planning meeting with scant details on revving up growth
- Celebrities Celebrate the Holidays 2023: Christmas, Hanukkah and More
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Barry Manilow loved his 'crazy' year: Las Vegas, Broadway and a NBC holiday special
- Deemed Sustainable by Seafood Industry Monitors, Harvested California Squid Has an Unmeasurable Energy Footprint
- Exclusive chat with MLS commish: Why Don Garber missed most important goal in MLS history
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Chevy Chase falls off stage in New York at 'Christmas Vacation' movie screening
Ranking
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Chinese leaders wrap up annual economic planning meeting with scant details on revving up growth
- 1 member of family slain in suburban Chicago was in relationship with shooting suspect, police say
- More than 70 million people face increased threats from sea level rise worldwide
- 'Most Whopper
- Police in Dominica probe the killing of a Canadian couple who owned eco-resort
- Indonesia suspects human trafficking is behind the increasing number of Rohingya refugees
- Barry Manilow loved his 'crazy' year: Las Vegas, Broadway and a NBC holiday special
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Sulfuric acid spills on Atlanta highway; 2 taken to hospital after containers overturn
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week
How Gisele Bündchen Blocks Out the Noise on Social Media
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Local New Hampshire newspaper publisher found guilty of political advertisement omissions
Top-ranking Democrat won’t seek reelection next year in GOP-dominated Kentucky House
Jon Rahm is a hypocrite and a sellout. But he's getting paid, and that's clearly all he cares about.