Living with an invisible condition like autism can make dealing with daily tasks a lot harder. Add to this the co-morbid conditions that many of us face including ADHD, anxiety and OCD it can make the neurotypical world very had to navigate, and we often end up spending a lot of time explaining things or apologising.
I was introduced to the sunflower lanyard several years ago, well before my autism diagnosis. I was traveling for a block course for study and going through Airport security which always puts me on edge but the Agent I dealt with that day made things even worse and my anxiety just went through the roof. I ended up providing written feedback and got a call from AirPort staff who apologised and on the call they advised me of the sunflower lanyard which had been rolled out at Wellington Airport.
I was sent the lanyard and have used it several times when flying for block courses or personal reasons. I went through security at Christchurch Airport and had my lanyard on. After going through security one of the Aviation Security Officers advised me if I needed a quiet spot there was a lounge around the side with softer lighting, etc.
Air New Zealand promote the lanyards and if traveling and that they indicate to staff that the individual may:
— Need more time to process information or more time to prepare themselves at check-in, boarding or disembarking
- Need clearer verbal instructions, as it can be difficult to understand facial expressions and/or body language
Need help reading departure boards or signs
Always need to stay with family or friends
Benefit from more information on what to expect before, during and after their flight
The lanyards can be requested free of charge at time of booking at Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Invercargill, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Queenstown and Wellington Airports and pick up at the airport.
You can also order the lanyard, buttons or wristbands from the website Be seen with Sunflower.
Businesses are also slowly coming on board and recognising the sunflower lanyard. Since I have been part of the neurodivergent community, I have noticed more of this community wearing them on a daily basis.
Some people have an ID card on their lanyard in case they become non-verbal or have purchased cards with their different co-morbid disorders on them i.e. I have anxiety, I have panic attacks and how to respond if you find someone having one.
I recently had a day procedure in hospital and advised the intake nurse that I had Autism and I wore my lanyard while on the ward and during the procedure.
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