Current:Home > MySFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters -WealthConverge Strategies
SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
View
Date:2025-04-13 02:11:51
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! (367)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- What you need to know about the debt ceiling as the deadline looms
- Ice-T Defends Wife Coco Austin After She Posts NSFW Pool Photo
- Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian Shows Off Her Baby Bump Progress in Hot Pink Bikini
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Selling Sunset's Amanza Smith Finally Returns Home After Battle With Blood Infection in Hospital
- Khloe Kardashian Labels Kanye West a Car Crash in Slow Motion After His Antisemitic Comments
- Out in the Fields, Contemplating Humanity and a Parched Almond Farm
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- American Airlines and JetBlue must end partnership in the northeast U.S., judge rules
Ranking
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Congress wants to regulate AI, but it has a lot of catching up to do
- Inside Clean Energy: In the New World of Long-Duration Battery Storage, an Old Technology Holds Its Own
- Billy Porter and Husband Adam Smith Break Up After 6 Years
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Kate Middleton's Brother James Middleton Expecting First Baby With Alizee Thevenet
- Out in the Fields, Contemplating Humanity and a Parched Almond Farm
- Too Hot to Work, Too Hot to Play
Recommendation
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
With Build Back Better Stalled, Expanded Funding for a Civilian Climate Corps Hangs in the Balance
Families scramble to find growth hormone drug as shortage drags on
Robert De Niro's Daughter Says Her Son Leandro Died After Taking Fentanyl-Laced Pills
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Biden is counting on Shalanda Young to cut a spending deal Republicans can live with
Brittany Snow and Tyler Stanaland Finalize Divorce 9 Months After Breakup
One Year Later: The Texas Freeze Revealed a Fragile Energy System and Inspired Lasting Misinformation