(Photo by caribb/Flickr)

Authorities ejected a boy with autism from a United Airlines flight after flight attendants decided that he was putting other passengers at risk.  His mother has responded by filing a federal lawsuit against United Airlines.

The boy’s mother, Candice Dincola, explained that she was flying with her sister and son with autism Gavin to New Orleans from Chicago.  However, the plane was turned around and set course back to Chicago due to a mid-flight medical emergency concerning one of the other passengers.  Gavin was voluntarily wearing wrist and ankle restraints that kept him secured in his seat throughout the flight.

When Gavin was asked to turn off his portable DVD player, he yelled.  As a result of his autism, it is not uncommon for Gavin to have these kinds of tantrums.  His mother and a few surrounding passengers were able to calm him down.

After the plane touched down in Chicago, police boarded the flight and ordered Candice, Gavin, and Candice’s sister off the plane.  The police told Candice that Gavin was a threat to the other passengers, and Candice explained to them that Gavin was restrained to the confines of his seat, and could not possibly be considered a threat.  The passengers surrounding Gavin even spoke up, and said they did not feel threatened and thought that removing the family from the flight was uncalled for.

An important note in this incident is that it was actually a flight attendant, who claimed that she saw Gavin smacking a woman next to him, despite the fact that it was physically impossible for Gavin to do so with the restraints on his wrists.

Regardless, Gavin, Candice, and her sister were all removed from the flight.  The family is now suing under the Air Carrier Access Act.

Photo by Flickr/Carl M

The Wyndham Hotels & Resorts chain has made history by being the second hotel in the United States to install autism-friendly rooms.

Two months ago, the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Austin, Texas, made their five new autism-friendly open for reservation.  Tony Sahyoun, the hotel’s general manager, said that the idea was sparked after he had met with officials from a local autism research center.  The conversation that they had opened Sahyoun’s eyes to the special needs traveling community and how they require additional assistance to have comforting stays.  Sahyoun, sales manager Anna Roberts, and the local autism research center began working on a design plan shortly after.  Sahyoun said that his staff was ecstatic about the idea when he first proposed it to them, since many of his staff members had friends or relatives who were autistic.

The five rooms all have door alarms, so parents don’t need to worry about their child wandering off.  They also placed cushions on the corners of tables, put locks on the drawers, and made the strings on the blinds shorter so the children can’t endanger themselves.  Lastly, the rooms have outlet covers on all power outlets, and each room has a set of toys and books to help make the children feel at home.

However, in order to fully cater to the special needs community, Sahyoun revamped both the rooms and the restaurant options that the hotel offers.  The restaurant at the Wyndham Garden Hotel now has special menu options for children who may have diet restrictions or be on a particular diet.

The autism-friendly rooms available at the Wyndham Garden Hotel have hosted 48 visits so far. We, at the International Center for Autism Research and Education, say thank you to this autism-friendly hotel chain.