A New Haven for Neurodivergent Travelers
Hong Kong International Airport has launched a sensory corner designed to help passengers with invisible disabilities, such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), claustrophobia, and dementia, manage the stress of air travel. This initiative reflects a growing global trend, with major airports like Singapore Changi and London Heathrow also introducing similar spaces in recent years.
Chris Au Young, the Airport Authority’s general manager of terminal and passenger experience, highlighted that the 30 square metre (323 sq ft) room is located near Gate 10 on departure level six of Terminal One. He emphasized that the space was created to support individuals who face unique challenges when navigating unfamiliar environments, dense crowds, and the stressful processes of security and immigration.
“The sensory corner will provide a calming and secure space for them to focus on themselves and soothe their emotions, through the deliberate use of space, atmosphere, colour, materials and sound,” he said.
The airport is set to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower global initiative in two months, with staff undergoing training to better assist passengers with invisible disabilities. Those who need extra support can collect a sunflower-printed lanyard at customer service counters, which they can wear discreetly to signal their needs.
The facility is free for all passengers and operates daily from 5am to midnight. It can accommodate up to 12 people at a time, and while no reservations are required at this stage, the airport may introduce booking options if demand increases.
Inside the room, passengers can find padded walls and flooring, offering a safe environment for activities such as crawling, rolling, jumping, or lying down to ground their nervous systems and stabilize their emotions.
There are two distinct zones within the space: a quiet zone and an active zone. The quiet zone features two booths that simulate an enclosed cabin environment, helping users mentally prepare for their flight. Meanwhile, the active zone offers a range of visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli.
The active zone includes two illuminating bubble tubes, where the predictable movement of bubbles can soothe overstimulated systems while improving eye-tracking skills and concentration. Nearby, an interactive sensory game challenges users to step on pressure-sensitive floor pads that make sounds in response to corresponding tiles lighting up on the wall. This activity helps improve coordination and teaches younger users about causation through immediate feedback.
Additionally, the room is equipped with wall panels that allow passengers to touch, press, and create music, which can be useful for de-escalation and emotional regulation. Users can also adjust the lighting to suit their individual sensory needs.
A similar sensory facility is being considered for Terminal Two to expand the support available to more passengers.
Shing Wai-in, a homemaker and mother of a four-year-old boy with autism and developmental delays, shared her experiences with the airport environment. She explained that adapting to new surroundings often leads to temper tantrums, including crying, shouting, and throwing herself on the floor. The airport’s bright lights, stern security officers, and long waiting times can be particularly overwhelming.
“Adapting to a new environment can take 15 minutes, during which he throws a temper tantrum,” she said. “We could not help worrying about our child despite having explained everything repeatedly.”
After visiting the sensory corner before its official opening, Shing noticed a significant improvement in her son’s behavior. He felt a sense of control within the space, which helped him become calmer and more focused. As a result, she now feels more confident in taking him on trips, including a planned visit to Singapore.
Looking ahead, Shing hopes for greater community acceptance of neurodiverse children like her son. She believes that kindness and understanding from others can make a meaningful difference in the lives of parents facing caregiving challenges.
More than 1 billion people worldwide live with mental health disorders, according to the World Health Organization. In Hong Kong, ADHD affects 6% of children and 2.5% of adults, totaling at least 200,000 people. Autism cases in the city were reported at 22,400 in 2020, though organizations like Autism Hong Kong suggest the actual number is much higher, estimating around 200,000 by 2025.
