Washington Township man behind new sensory-friendly space at Pittsburgh airport

A sensory-friendly space for children and adults with autism and other special needs was unveiled Wednesday at Pittsburgh International Airport.

The idea for the room, called Presley’s Place, came from airport employee Jason Rudge, a heavy equipment operator from Washington Township, Westmoreland County.

Rudge and his wife, Sharon, have a 4-year-old son, Presley, who has autism.

“I’ve never done anything that has impacted so many people.” Find out how an airport employee's four-year-old son inspired Pittsburgh International Airport’s industry-leading sensory-friendly space: https://t.co/lTeLxQuOEO pic.twitter.com/0UZ11TKw7P

— Pittsburgh International Airport (@PITairport) July 24, 2019

Rudge wanted to help people with sensory processing issues by giving them a place to go when the sights, sounds, brightness and crowds of the airport feel overwhelming.

“I hope that everybody that has been wanting to fly for their entire life can start to go on vacations now,” said Rudge, 39. “I hope this is going to catch on at other airports across the world and across the country. We, as special needs parents and families, need this in our lives.”

Rudge has worked at the airport for seven years. The room came about after he proposed it to Christina Cassotis, Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO.

Presley’s Place offers a setting where those with autism and other needs can decompress while traveling and get acclimated to flying.

The 1,500-square-foot suite includes a calming transition foyer, a family room, individual rooms with bubble tubes and an adult area. All are soundproof.

It also includes an airplane experience with real seats, overhead bins and working lights. American Airlines and Magee Plastics donated a plane cabin and seating. It also will be used during classes for first-time flyers to get novice travelers familiar with a plane, according to the airport authority.

A bathroom available to the public includes an adult changing table and adjustable sink.

Rudge said he had no reservations about approaching the CEO with his idea, as Cassotis has presented herself as accessible.

“I wasn’t surprised I was able to get into her office by writing her that note,” he said. “The hardest thing was believing in myself this could happen.”

Cassotis said the airport wants to make flying accessible to everyone. More than 40 organizations and many parents participated in the development of the room, built in-house by airport staff.

“This room is an opportunity for special needs travelers from children to adults to have a place to decompress and get prepared to fly,” she said.

Presley’s Place is in the airside terminal’s Concourse A, near Gate A9. It’s available at all hours.