If you've flown before, you know the entire process can be exhausting. Now, imagine being a special needs child with sensory sensitivities-the lights, the sounds, the crowds, it's all overwhelming and a lot to handle. Airlines around the U.S. have been implementing programs to help ease the stress for families traveling with special needs children, and airports have begun adding multi-sensory rooms to give children a calming place before boarding their plane. If you're looking for a smoother travel experience, these airlines and airports are sure to be your saving grace.

To ensure the comfort of children with autism and other disabilities while flying, Delta rolled out their "Taking Flight" tour earlier this year. The program, currently available at the Atlanta and Minneapolis airports, takes place once a month and goes for about two hours. Participants will be guided through the check-in process, taken through screening and then lead to their gate before boarding an actual plane. Children are then given the chance to sit in the captain's chair, check out the cockpit, meet Delta crew members and also take pictures.

Bringing awareness and understanding to those on the spectrum, American Airlines' "It's Cool to Fly" program allows children with sensory input related disabilities the chance to familiarize themselves with the full airport experience. Families will park their vehicle, check-in, wait at the gate, board the plane, taxi, return to the gate and then retrieve their luggage. The program moves from city to city throughout the year and lasts about 3 1/2 hours. The airline also hopes to implement in program at international airports in the future.

JetBlue, along with nonprofit organization Autism Speaks, periodically host a program called "Blue Horizons for Autism," a mock airport and plane experience for children on the spectrum. Families will be guided by staff and volunteers through the ticketing process and real security lines before heading to the gate to board a plane. After boarding, the plane will taxi on the runway to give children an idea of the movements and sounds they'll hear while flying. The experience ends with a tour of the plane itself, including the cockpit, before deboarding.

Although not exclusive to the company itself, United Airlines, in conjunction with Arc, an organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosts a program called "Wings for All" at Houston's George Bush International Airport twice a year. Designed to familiarize those with disabilities with the routine of flying, participants will be guided through ticketing and security before hopping onto a parked aircraft where a mock flight will begin that includes a safety briefing and beverage service.

A schedule for other cities and airports set to host a "Wings for All" event can be found here.

Although not a program, airports around the country are beginning to create multi-sensory and quiet rooms for autistic children traveling with their families. Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, Miami International and Pittsburg International all offer multi-sensory rooms with activities and spaces meant to calm sensory sensitivities before boarding the plane. The "Quiet Room" at Myrtle Beach Airport provides a calming space with cozy cubicles where children can relax before their flight, away from the normal hustle-and-bustle of the airport.