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Charlotte Douglas, Delta help children with autism adjust to airport with 'Wings for All'

From strange sights and sounds to new unfamiliar people, traveling can be a challenge for children who have autism. 

Saturday, Charlotte-Douglas Airport and Delta Airlines worked to give families a chance to get comfortable with the experience. 

The "Wings for All" program is considered an airport "rehearsal" for Charlotte area families who have a loved one who has been diagnosed with autism or another developmental disability.

"The airport has all kinds of sounds and sensory experiences and that can be challenging for folks on the autism spectrum," Exective Director of the Arc of Union/Cabarrus Melanie Miller said. 

[ALSO READ: American Airlines has program to get children with special needs familiar to airport]

Participants were able to interact with emotional support dogs after receiving their boarding passes and passing through the TSA security checkpoint. 

Father David Shaver brought his 5-year-old son Michael, who was proud to show Channel 9 his souvenier wings. 

[LINK: Autism Awareness Month Calendar]

"I'm glad I could bring my son out and go through the airport and realize it's not such a scary thing for next time we actually go flying," Shaver said. 

Before boarding the plane, the children had the opportunity to meet the pilot Erich Ries, who said he knows firsthand the challenges that parents face and fears they have because his son has autism. 

"I've been there," Ries said. "I've been on flights where my child is having a meltdown and he's had tears, but I wouldn't trade the tears in the world for the memories I've been able to provide him with air travel." 

April is Autism Awareness Month. The Autism Society of North Carolina has events planned all month to commemorate the month. 

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