A new “Angel Network” called “Autism Escapes,” is helping children and their families across the country get to Mass General’s widely acclaimed LADDERS Clinic for children with autism and co-existing medical conditions.

Commercial flights can be quite stressful for both children with autism and their parents, which is one reason why the physician parents of 10-year-old Michael, who has autism, have convinced corporate jet owners and pilots to pitch in to help families travel to Boston; the project is sustained by donations of funds and private jet hours, grants, and fundraising activities and hopes to expand into providing respite travel for families in the future.

Aside from the free flight, children are also treated to pre-flight tours of the aircraft to get them accustomed to the environment; a behavior specialist is also on board. Flights arrive at nearby Hanscom Air Force base in Lexington, and children are then transported to LADDERS, one of the country’s premier programs for children with autism.

Dr. Margaret L. Bauman, Associate Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Director of LADDERS said, “This service should allow families who might otherwise be reluctant to travel with a challenging child to do so without concern for that child’s behavior during the trip, and with the knowledge that they and their child will receive the specialized attention needed to make this trip as easy as possible.”

If your child has autism/autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and a co-existing medical condition, such as seizures or a gastrointestinal disorder, your family may be eligible for a flight to LADDERS. Be sure to check the Autism Escapes website for details.

Guest post by Michelle Fabio, who writes about online education at OnlineEducation.net.

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Tags: autism