Sunflowers Shine Bright for Travelers with Special Needs

When 7-year-old Mia Naismith put her sunflower-dotted lanyard around her neck before her recent flight to Costa Rica, she became a Pittsburgh International Airport pioneer.

Mia, who has autism, was the first airport traveler to wear one of the special lanyards, now available at the airport, that quietly telegraphs that a person has a disability or special need that might not be readily apparent.

Most travelers may not even notice the lanyards. But airport staff have been trained to recognize that those wearing them might need gentle assistance during their time at the airport.

“Every little bit helps,” said Mia’s mother, Andrea Castro of Blackridge, who first brought the lanyard idea to the attention of airport officials. “It’s nice to know that some additional assistance is available—if needed—for people with hidden disabilities.”

Airport employees have long assisted travelers with visible disabilities, such as passengers in wheelchairs. But there are less-apparent afflictions that can make travel challenging, such as autism, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder and dementia.

The sunflower lanyards allow people to voluntarily display that they have such a disability and may need extra help during their airport experien