A Good Samaritan Steps Up To Calm A Terrified Boy With Autism On An 8-Hour Flight

Rochel and her husband Bentzion run an organization called Friendship Circle in New York City. The organization helps pair teen volunteers with special needs individuals in their communities. The couple also runs a boutique that employs 28 young adults with special needs.

Rochel's experience with autism and special needs proved very useful this past week, as she and her husband were flying home after chaperoning a trip to Israel for special needs individuals.

During their flight home, an autistic young boy from Africa began screaming and crying from fear and panic. Rochel sprang into action.

"You cannot fly for eight hours with someone crying, you just can't," she said, of deciding to step in when it became clear the little boy was distressed and could not be consoled by his mother or the flight attendants.

Her experience dealing with special needs individuals helped her connect to him on a more effective level.

“Everybody’s been on a flight with a screaming child, and this is another way to defuse [sic] the situation,” she says. “Just ask: is there something I can do? Smile, don’t scowl.”