How to Fly with an Autistic Child? Your Suggestions Requested
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We have been pretty lucky, though: our kids' biggest issues with flying include painful ears on descent and a troubling tendency to dash past the security personnel... but so far, no one's mistaken them for terrorists...
If a tight blanket, familiar objects and treats aren't enough to help your child manage an airplane flight, parents have come up with a number of techniques for travel - some of which don't involve flight at all. Here are some offered in the comments responding to yesterday's blog:
I’d never take my child with autism on a plane flight, in such a confined setting and expect him to understand or follow the rules. We drive.What works best for you when you travel with your child or children with autism? I hope to turn your hints and tips into a full "top ten" article for this site!I have to admit that I was wondering why they didn’t take along a car seat. An FAA approved 5-point harness would have kept most kids securely in their seat, and it would be comforting for the child to be in the same seat they normally use in the car.
What should have happened? Mom should have taken the things she needed for her son out of her bag, told the flight attendant not to touch her son or speak to her son, and then she should have restrained him while she tightened the belt.
I considered purchasing two CARES Kids Fly Safe harnesses until I realized then I would just have to rent two car seats for the rental car anyway. Looking for a cheaper way to get these harnesses, I discovered that several e-bay businesses rent them out by the trip. Really, if you use it 3 times it would be cheaper to buy than rent. ...I cannot imagine taking them on the plane without some type of 5 point harness because they would try to run around and climb over seats throughout the flight.
Comments
Well, for once I might have to disagree. This photo obviously is not pre- take off and I’m sure they don’t offer the little plane pillows, blanket and drinks until after take off. It’s also hard to know from this photo, when the stuffed animals appeared, pre take off or after but I doubt any of that would had made much difference to the family thrown off the plane. And no wonder there is no tantrum, it’s a photo.
At two years old, and beyond, my kid hated his car seat to the point I needed to become inventive. I re-strung the harness backwards, so the latch was inside, not pointing up. Eventually I had to buy a Houdini latch lock. I doubt the flight crew out right yelled at the child, if they did it may had been due to being heard over the screaming. Even still, my son with autism has always needed a stern voice spoken to him. A cute little sweet voice would never had worked. I myself would had called the airlines ahead of time, explaining my child and the possible situations that may occur with him, and what if this or that happens. Noise reduction ear muffs may had helped. Not knowing what each child has difficulties with, hard to know what this parent could had done to make this flight a successes.
Its a posed photo, you cannot compare, and chances are no kids with autism are modeling these days. So I do agree, lets get positive about this whole situation.
What worked for us.
Favorite toys, a late night flight, lots of snack food items and drinks, a computer that played favorite videos. This worked the best. A harness type holder - to have the child sit in your lap (that is if this is allowed). And yes we brought his familiar car seat on another flight, which he knows from the car. And we immediately strapped him in, no debate. At one point we did use a mild sedative from herbal flowers. This I think worked but who could say for sure how potent these things are. And during one flight - he did scream bloody murder descending. I really did not tell anyone about his disability, and just smiled and apologized. I think if you compare kids with Autism to any baby on a flight, I think babies are allowed the screaming card anyday. You just grin and bear it. I think everyone is getting way too carried away, and we need to just accept that kids with Autism are unpredictable, and people need to understand that it is not always easy for the parent in this situation and just lend us a helping hand. How wonderful would it have been if someone just sincerely said, please can I help you somehow and not just stared, got angry and made me feel like a horrible mom for not being able to completely control my child. Maybe flights should just try to accomodate all people with disabilities.
If social stories work for your kid, that’s a great way to prepare them for the flight. Take their favorite portable toys and treats. This year the Leapster was a Godsend, it really distracted him most of the flight. My son also liked to watch the little video on the seat in front of him and push buttons to change screens.
We have flown with our 9 year old son with autism to Europe every year, until this year (he is in a State sponsored ABA program and can not go visit his grandparents this summer). We always carry a copy of his diagnosis with us when we fly with him, we make sure we add that he is autistic in the comments and special request section when purchasing the tickets and we tell the agent at check in as well and as we walk on the plane we tell the crew. He has had a meltdown on a plane but we were able to control him and most passengers have understood. We are always prepared for other crying children by having his headphones with his favorite music. Our worst situation was being stuck on a runway for 7 hours and then having the flight cancelled in Paris. Took 3 days to get home and still didn’t have our luggage. Our son had his moments but his neuro typical sisiter was the one that had the most crying spells. Always plan ahead and come prepared. If something happens, make sure you write everything down afterwards if it is the someone from the staff of the airlines that is not cooperative from the very beginning. Let the airlines know afterwards and usually, you will get a positive response. We also wear t-shirts or buttons and pins to let those around us know that someone in the family with us has autism. It has always resulted in a positive reaction from people instead of a negative one when our son would have a melt-down, no matter where we are. That is the best advice I can offer.
You’ll find a collection of free online resources about air travel with children with autism here:
http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19426&KW=airplane+travel+resources
I do not believe this