It is estimated that between 15% and 20% of the global population is neurodiverse (Doyle, 2020), including individuals such as those with autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette syndrome, among other conditions. The use of the term neurodivergent person (NDP), coined by Judy Singer (Doyle, 2020; Doyle, 2019), seeks to promote a positive and inclusive perspective on neurodivergence, advocating for the appreciation and natural integration of these individuals into society, thereby contributing to more inclusive and harmonious environments.

The sensory processing of neurodivergent individuals is often affected, manifesting as heightened sensitivity to the environment, especially noticeable in places like airports, where intense stimuli may trigger reactions that are often misinterpreted as rudeness or inattentiveness. However, these reactions reflect a need for support in dealing with sensory and communication challenges (Napoli, 2022; Mendonça, 2022).

The air transport sector plays a crucial role in the social inclusion of NDPs, as it offers a faster and more convenient means of travel. For individuals with disabilities, of any kind - whether visible or not - long journeys by land or sea can be challenging and less feasible (Yau et al., 2004), making air transport essential for facilitating mobility and overcoming the limitations associated with prolonged travel.

Castro (2010) highlights that accessibility to air transport represents an essential act of social inclusion and equality for people with disabilities. For these individuals to fully enjoy the resources available in society, various adaptations must be made to meet their specific needs. Accessibility in airports goes beyond physical infrastructure, encompassing policies and practices aimed at providing a more inclusive and welcoming travel experience for all passengers, regardless of their individual characteristics.

Air travel can be stressful for anyone, but for travelers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), for example, there is an additional layer of anxiety that accompanies flights (Rowello, 2021). Thus, awareness and accessibility for NDPs have been increasingly prioritized at the airport environment. Over time, more sensory and easy-to-understand approaches have been developed, but there is a lack in the literature on disabilities and discrimination in the context of the aeromobilities (Adey et al., 2024).

Currently, there has been a significant increase in initiatives to improve accessibility in airports, with the aim of creating environments that welcome and include all passengers. These efforts involve various strategies, such as: training staff to recognize and support NDPs, implementing sensory rooms and maps, adapting infrastructure to minimize sensory stimuli, and developing policies that ensure clear and accessible communication at all points of interaction, respecting human rights. Thus, this study aims to investigate the strategies used by airports worldwide to promote accessibility for neurodivergent individuals, through a literature review and quali-quantitative research based on descriptive and exploratory study.

The study highlights the challenges faced by these individuals in airport environments, emphasizing the need to recognize and understand their specific needs, whether visible or hidden. Adapting airport services and procedures to meet the needs of neurodivergent individuals not only enhances their travel experience but also promotes a more inclusive and empathetic society.

Tourism is a social experience that involves people moving through time and space in search of pleasure and enjoyment, which cater not only to their immediate physical needs but also to their imagination (Barros, 2015). Although addressing tourism and travel involves understanding air travel as a ‘space of flows’ under the umbrella of the mobilities paradigm — and, in this specific case, the aeromobilities — it is also essential to recognize that for mobility to occur, immobile elements, such as airports, are indispensable (Sheller & Urry, 2006).

Airports are precisely the key elements for various global processes, enabling travelers to meet people and experience places face-to-face worldwide (Sheller & Urry, 2006), a right that should be guaranteed to everyone, regardless of any condition or disability. In this sense, not all airports provide the necessary support, and quite often individuals with disabilities travel less or even choose not to travel to avoid embarrassment and risky situations (Mora, 2022). It is worth noting that the social model of disability, created by the sociologist Paul Hunt in 1966 (Foresti & Bousfield, 2022), asserts that individuals are disabled by the barriers imposed by society, not by their differences. Therefore, changing the environment and how these individuals are treated is key to reducing the impact of disabilities on their daily lives (Peterson et al., 2024).

Social inclusion is understood as the refined process of harmonizing diverse individuals with society, adapting and evolving to embrace this diversity across all social spheres (Kushano & Almeida, 2008). According to Sassaki (2003), there are two types of activities: those in which individuals with disabilities can participate without adaptations and those modified for inclusion. Yau et al. (2004) state that living with a disability presents unique challenges that can affect participation in various activities, including tourism. For many, the experience of traveling becomes a more complex task due to the need to coordinate physical, mental, and social skills, which may be compromised by the disability.

Accessibility in aviation is essential for social development and allows individuals with any disability the freedom to move. Accessibility is the condition for ensuring safety and autonomy, whether total or assisted, within spaces, urban equipment, and transportation services for individuals with disabilities (Brazil, 2016). It creates opportunities, including the ability to travel for business meetings, job interviews, conferences, and important events. Furthermore, learning to travel by airplane can be considered a behavioral cusp, as this set of skills provides access to new environments where there will be even more learning and enrichment for these individuals (Dempsey et al., 2021).

Numerous studies have already addressed the experiences and accessibility strategies in air transportation for people with physical disabilities (Qing et al., 2020; Major & Hubbard, 2019; Chang & Chen, 2011; 2012). There are also studies that group all types of disabilities together and address the challenges faced by these individuals in airports in a generalized manner (Poria et al., 2009; Davies & Christie, 2018l; Gotti et al., 2024). It is known, however, that each type of disability gives rise to very specific needs, and therefore, they should be addressed individually (Castro, 2010).

Some studies have addressed accessibility for neurodivergent individuals in airports, with a particular focus on autism spectrum disorder (Dempsey et al., 2021; Chiscano, 2021; Peterson et al., 2024). Silva et al. (2024) conducted a literature review focused on studies that provided recommendations for enhancing accessibility for individuals with hidden disabilities in air transportation. After applying filters with relevant keywords and systematically reviewing the selected works, the authors included 37 papers in their analysis. The earliest papers were published in 1999; however, an increased interest in the topic was observed starting in 2019, with a notable peak in publications in 2021 and 2023, which marked the highest numbers of studies to date.

There is a significant gap, thus, when it comes to the experiences of neurodivergent individuals or those with hidden disabilities (hearing and visual, for instance). Neurodivergence, a term coined by Australian sociologist Judy Singer in 1999, encompasses all individuals who fall outside of what is considered neurotypical patterns. This term has also been used positively to describe individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and, subsequently, to include those with dyslexia, dyspraxia, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Tourette syndrome. The use of the term aims to promote the social inclusion of individuals identified as neurodiverse (Doyle, 2019).

The neurodiversity perspective advocates for the inclusion of NDPs in society, emphasizing the importance of recognizing differences as non-problematic aspects, specificities to be identified and normalized in our daily lives, which can lead to more inclusive environments. The movement is led by individuals with autism who argue that their condition should not be treated as a disease to be cured but rather as a human variation comparable to gender or race, deserving equal respect (Ortega, 2009).

Some neurodivergences are also known as hidden disabilities as they are not perceptible to others through mere observation. These conditions affect the functioning of a person’s nervous system, presenting distinct ways of processing sensory information such as light, sound, colors, smells, and textures compared to neurotypical individuals (Napoli, 2022). Non-linear information processing and divergent thinking can result in difficulties in reading facial expressions and interpreting social cues, which may hinder understanding of intentions, emotions, and social interactions, requiring alternative communication and comprehension strategies.

Research by the World Health Organization (2023) estimates that about 1 in 100 children have autism, affecting the way these individuals communicate and interact. Table 1 provides a summary of the main neurodivergences and their characteristics:

Table 1

Neurodivergence	Characteristics
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)	Difficulty in social interaction; unusual communication patterns or repetitive speech patterns; difficulty in understanding or expressing others’ feelings; discomfort with deviations from routine or resistance to changes in habits; selective eating.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)	Impulsivity, restlessness, inattention, difficulty with organization, and problems completing tasks.
Dyslexia	Slowness in learning; difficulty with concentration; difficulty in spelling; confusion of letters with similar sounds and/or spellings.
Tourette Syndrome	Frequent and rapid blinking; uncontrollable repetition of words; use of varying vocal tones; engagement in repetitive movements.
Dyspraxia	Difficulty maintaining balance; problems with body posture; difficulty with spatial awareness; confusion in organizing one’s own thoughts.

Source: Teixeira et al. (2011).

A study conducted by Heathrow Airport (2021) found that 67% of passengers reported experiencing at least one personal circumstance (either temporary or permanent) that negatively affected their airport experience. Among these, 49% cited psychological needs (such as insomnia, anxiety, stress, depression, etc.), while 36% reported having distinct cognitive needs (including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc.).

Many issues faced by NDPs can be identified and addressed, but this requires understanding and listening to this population. There are both complex problems and more basic or comfort-related issues to consider. Quite often, the solutions do not necessarily involve high costs or complex procedures; they can be straightforward, aiming at improving the quality of life for these individuals in a simple manner, allowing them to feel welcomed by both institutions and society at large (Cruz, 2019).

Yau et al. (2004) conducted interviews and discussed individuals with visible disabilities, who frequently experience ambivalent travel experiences. In some cases, the visibility of the disability can attract positive attention from the public, leading people to offer help and show compassion. However, at other times, this visibility may result in curious stares, discrimination, or exclusion when receiving services. Conversely, those with less obvious disabilities often face the expectation to behave as if they do not have a disability, which can lead to a dilemma between revealing their condition to receive favorable treatment, sometimes with embarrassment, or concealing it to avoid potential negative reactions from others.

Tata et al. (2024a) conducted a netnographic study based on the analysis of airline reviews posted on TripAdvisor by individuals with invisible disabilities, mostly in the UK. They identified that the main challenges these individuals face in navigating the airport are related to interactions with staff (e.g., discourtesy and lack of experience), the provision of the service itself (e.g., separation of individuals with invisible disabilities from their companions during check-in), and the design of the airport terminal (e.g., crowding, queues, and noise). When it comes specifically to individuals on the autism spectrum, particularly children and young travelers, Dempsey et al. (2021) had already shown that the main stressors in airports are long waiting periods, crowds, and sensory stimuli.

Most NDPs have heightened sensitivity to their environment due to challenges in sensory processing. These challenges may manifest through heightened sensitivity in senses such as vision and hearing, turning the environment into something disturbing or even frightening. In an airport context, it is important to note that such environments can trigger NDPs, causing them to become highly agitated or, sometimes, immobile. These reactions may be mistakenly interpreted as rudeness, tantrums, lack of attention, or disinterest in collective well-being. However, it is crucial to understand that such reactions stem from the need for support to cope with the communicational and sensory challenges associated with such environments (Mendonça, 2022).

Therefore, the importance of both open and closed rooms as alternatives to shared spaces in airports, the inclusion of lighting options including natural light, and the design of environments that promote comfort must be emphasized. It is possible to adapt the architecture and interior spaces to positively impact the behavior commonly observed in NDPs. This can be achieved by adjusting aspects such as colors, textures, spatial sensations, window positioning, acoustics, and ventilation (Gaines et al., 2016).

For individuals with autism, for instance, specialized literature indicates that difficulties encountered in transportation and mobility are major factors in their lack of social inclusion (Kersten et al., 2020; Pfeiffer et al., 2024). Chiscano (2021) identifies communication, service provision, and the environment in which the service is delivered as primary barriers.

Kersten et al. (2020) suggested that training for professionals in transportation settings, whether institutionalized or not, is an important measure to enhance autonomy for individuals with ASD. According to the authors, and corroborated by Small et al. (2023), one of the most crucial aspects is assisting them in handling unpredictable situations and their own functioning when faced with environments or situations that generate higher levels of anxiety and/or stress. In this regard, actions involving familiarization, whether through training or other strategies, are essential for enabling these individuals to travel with greater autonomy and ease (Pfeiffer et al., 2024).

It is important to emphasize the importance of the social inclusion of NDPs in airport environments and on airplanes, considering their specificities such as difficulties with social interaction and communication, atypical activity patterns and behaviors, challenges in transitioning from one activity to another, focus on details, and unusual reactions to sensations (Dos Santos et al., 2024). These factors should be considered, even though stress and anxiety inherent to travel may lead to self-regulation crisis1. Attention to the specific needs of NDPs enables them to maintain their autonomy and continue their travel without hustles.

The methodology employed for this study is a bibliographic review and qualitative-quantitative research through descriptive and exploratory study methods. The literature review supporting the theoretical framework of this study covered topics such as tourism, air transport, social inclusion, and issues related to neurodivergent individuals, using terms such as “airport + hidden disabilities,” “airport + autism,” “airport + neurodivergence,” and their variations.

To achieve the aims of this study, a survey was conducted on accessibility strategies for NDPs at airports around the world. The airports included in this research were selected based on the criterion of officially adopting the Sunflower lanyard as one of their accessibility strategies. Other symbols, such as the puzzle piece and the infinity symbol, are recognized as specific references to autism. However, due to the sunflower’s broader association with neurodivergence and other invisible disabilities, as well as its widespread adoption in airports through the sunflower lanyard, the authors chose to focus on this particular symbol.

In this regard, the website of “The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower,” an American company holding the rights to the Sunflower lanyard product, was consulted. This search identified 231 airports globally, excluding those listed as “coming soon.”. This criterion was chosen since the lanyard is often the first, and sometimes the only, strategy adopted by airports, as it is crucial to provide visibility for disabilities considered invisible (further details on the lanyard will be provided in the following section). Additionally, four Brazilian airports not listed on the website were included, bringing the total to 235 airports.

Once the airports were defined, the investigation focused on whether they had additional accessibility strategies for NDPs beyond the Sunflower lanyard. The research was conducted through consultations of their websites, resulting in a spreadsheet with all the strategies identified. Based on the studies by Kersten et al. (2020), Chiscano (2021), Small et al. (2023) and Pfeiffer et al. (2024), these strategies were categorized as follows on Table 2:

Table 2

Category	Definition	Examples
Attitudinal	Strategies aimed at generating visibility, as well as changing attitudes and behaviors that hinder individuals’ equal participation.	Sunflower lanyard and general training.
Structural	Accessibility strategies that rely on structural modifications at airports.	Quiet or multisensory rooms.
Communicational	Strategies aimed at facilitating communication for NDPs in airports.	Communication boards.
Familiarization	Strategies aimed at familiarizing NDPs with airport spaces and processes.	Familiarization tours and social stories.
Service	Services provided by airports to NDPs and/or their families and companions.	Personal assistance and animal therapy programs.
Informative	Strategies that inform passengers about the accessibility measures adopted by airports.	A specific page on the airport’s website.

Source: Elaborated by the authors.

Additionally, to identify possible correlations between aspects related to airport management and operations and the adoption of accessibility measures for NDPs, the airports were classified as follows:

Airport size: < 5 million passengers/year; 5 to 19.99 million passengers/year; 20 to 39.99 million passengers/year; > 40 million passengers/year. Data are based on reports published individually by the airports for the year 2023.

The sample of airports surveyed (n=235) is, thus, distributed as follows:

Table 3

Number of Passengers	Number of Airports
< 5 million/year	125
5 – 19,99 million/year	60
20 – 39,99 million/year	26
> 40 million/year	24
Ownership and Governance	Number of Airports
Public	89
Airport Authority	51
Privatized	44
PPP	31
Concession	20
North America	103
South America	09
The Caribbean	02
Europe	91
Middle East	02
Asia-Pacific	28

Source: Elaborated by the authors.

Based on the methodology presented here, the results will be subsequently presented and discussed. Both the basic descriptive analysis and the data cross-referencing were conducted using the free statistical analysis software jamovi Desktop version 2.5.3.

After compiling and standardizing the names of the strategies based on their practical application, a total of 37 distinct strategies used by the airports were identified and will be presented below.

An airport is a transportation hub designed to facilitate air travel. It requires a well-developed infrastructure to provide ground services for passengers, necessitating careful preparation to meet the current and future needs of travelers. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between neurodivergence, tourism, and social inclusion, with a focus on the importance of air transportation. The research aimed to identify actions aimed at enhancing accessibility for neurodivergent individuals in airports, highlighting the relevance of air travel and tourism as promoters of social inclusion.

Accessibility strategies implemented in airports around the world were analyzed in detail to understand how these practices meet the specific needs of neurodivergent individuals. The study demonstrated how access to transportation and tourism can provide significant benefits by evaluating concepts of accessibility and proposing a more welcoming and adapted environments for all.

Notably, larger airports, which handle a greater number of passengers and possess more financial resources, tend to implement primarily attitudinal accessibility actions, which are less costly and simpler to execute. Considering the scale of these airports, a greater quantity of familiarization and structural initiative was expected, as they are busier, and the likelihood of individuals with diverse needs facing orientation and communication challenges is significantly higher compared to smaller airports.

This research faced limitations due to the scarcity of data and studies related to tourism and neurodivergence, particularly in Brazil, where only seven airports have documented accessibility actions. The lack of a centralized platform to access information about airport accessibility further complicated data collection, as this information is scattered across various pages on airports websites. The lack of studies and the fragmentation of available information pose significant challenges for investigation and advancement in this field.

Neurodivergences encompass distinct characteristics, with each individual facing unique challenges. The concept of neurodiversity promotes a positive view that values differences, encouraging the natural and respectful integration of these individuals into society. This concept can guide the creation of more inclusive environments, not only in airports but also in other areas of transportation and tourism. This research underscores the ongoing need for studies, highlighting the obstacles preventing tourism from becoming an inclusive factor for neurodivergent individuals, while capitalizing on the diverse and enriching relationships this activity can foster.

There is a vast field for exploration in academic and consulting work on the topics discussed here, especially given the increasing prominence of the subject throughout the world. Future studies are urgently needed to propose new training methodologies for accommodating NDPs in air transportation, as well as research that includes the perspectives of neurodivergent individuals in their air travel experiences.