Aug 14, 2019, Pittsburgh WTHR: Pittsburgh airport creates sensory room to help travelers with autism https://www.wthr.com/article/pittsburgh-airport-creates-sensory-room-help-travelers-autism The Pittsburgh International Airport has created a one-of-a-kind sensory room at the request of an airport employee. Jason Rudge is a heavy equipment operator at the airport but has been unable to travel on a commercial flight with his wife and 4-year-old son, Presley. "TODAY's" Mary Pflum reports Presley was diagnosed with autism at 2 years old, and his parents say Presley struggles when it comes to changes in his routine; however, they discovered sensory rooms at Presley's school helped calm his nerves…. Jason began doing his research to install a sensory room at the airport and wrote a proposal to airport CEO, Christina Cassotis. The sensory room, appropriately named "Presley's Place," opened last month and features soft colors, low lightning, bubbles, padded seats and rockers. The textured walls were specifically designed to sound-proof the space, and the bathrooms feature adult-sized changing tables that can be moved up and down….
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Loss of Brain Trust features over 9,000 news stories published worldwide since January, 2017
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