Every journey matters: How Houston Airports supports travelers with autism
This Autism Awareness Month, Houston Airports is spotlighting the thoughtful choices that help make air travel more accessible—for everyone.
Apr 3, 2025
For most travelers, airports represent movement—transitions, connections and anticipation. But for passengers with autism or other sensory-processing differences, the airport experience can feel overwhelming. That’s why Houston Airports is working year-round to create spaces that prioritize calm, clarity and compassion.
Inside George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), a quiet room is making a big impact. Just past security in Terminal A, the airport’s first-ever sensory room offers a peaceful, low-stimulation environment designed for neurodivergent travelers of all ages. Outfitted with tactile tools, soft lighting and comfortable seating, the space offers a safe moment of stillness before boarding. A second sensory room opened in Terminal D in 2024.
Inclusion doesn’t stop there.
In March, a group of students with autism traveling from Denver to London arrived at IAH for a layover. They were met by Houston Airports staff, guided to the sensory room—and surprised by Snickers, one of the airport system’s certified therapy dogs. The visit sparked smiles, laughter and a sense of calm when comfort mattered most.
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“Everything was so thoughtful,” said one teacher traveling with the group. “From the quiet space to the therapy dog visit—it felt like someone had planned this journey with our students in mind.”
They had.
All 1,300 Houston Airports employees have completed training through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program, an international initiative that helps staff recognize and assist travelers with non-visible disabilities. Passengers wearing the lanyard signal that they may need extra time, support—or simply patience. That awareness is now embedded across teams, from security checkpoints to concessions.
Houston Airports leadership believes these efforts are about more than accommodation. They’re about dignity. About making sure every passenger feels seen, supported and welcome.
Even therapy dogs like Snickers are part of the experience. Through regular visits, these four-legged ambassadors offer calm, joy and connection—reminding passengers they’re not alone, even in a crowded terminal.
Autism Awareness Month is about more than symbolism. It’s about recognizing that autism exists on a broad spectrum—and that neurodiverse individuals experience the world and travel in different ways. By making air travel more inclusive, Houston Airports is helping remove barriers, reduce stress and make the journey better for everyone.
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