Flying SW with my 4 yr old ASD son

My kids and I are headed to WDW in less than 2 weeks. My 4 yr old son has ASD/SPD. We will be flying SW and I was wondering if I could get some pointers from those that have flown SW. I am not sur how my son will do sitting for 2 hours. He moves around A LOT. Our flight leaves at 5:30 am so I am hoping that he will sleep. Our return flight on the other hand leaves at 3:40 in the afternoon. I am bringing several things to try and keep him occupied, snacks and meltdown prevention/stopping treats. I did purchase the early bird check-in. We are flying with DD18 & DD9. Would they let them get on first and secure seats and then my son and I can board closer to take-off? Where is the best place to sit? All advice is appreciated! This is his and DD9 first trip, 2nd for me and DD18 (altho she was 4 the last time)

Yes, your DD 18 and DD9 can board with their A group (early bird checkin). They would board the plane and find seats for all 4 of you. Southwest is open seating so there are no assigned seats.
I would suggest having your DD18 and DD9 take your carry on items and place them in the empty seats for you and your son. Since many flights are sold out these day, there will be many people asking them if the seats are taken.
My wife and I did this with my daughter when she was really young, never had an issue.

I am sure many people boarding the plan will ask if the seats are taken. You need to just let your DD18 and DD9 know that they need to clearly tell the other flyers that the seats are taken and their mother and brother are on their way. If there are any issues have them ask for a flight attendent and tell them that due to medical issues their mom and brother are boarding last.

To add to what 01spirit posted, have them go toward the back of the plane. They will deal with less people asking if the seats are taken.

Ummm....technically there's no "holding" seats. So if you get someone boarding who wants to give your daughters a hard time, they will. And honestly, they board so quickly and get going so fast, I don't know that waiting will make a huge difference for you and your son.

Let them know that he has ASD/SPD.. That way they can help you.. there are programs that allow you to go through the whole process of security. boarding and then flying on a plane for children with ASD.. Im not sure if SW do it.. but that program fills up fast and I dont think that will help you so close to your trip...


http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blo...hearsal-programs-for-individuals-with-autism/



Take his own breakfast.. you can take liquids on the plane. they just have to be purchased after security..

My son has SPD. and ADHD.. he loves his cap.. or woolen beanie . on at all times... so security can be fun. when he has to take it off.. practicing at home was important.. we would put our chairs in a row. and pretend to be on a plane.. I would come down the aisle and get him to go his seat belt etc..


Youtube security procedures for him to watch.. also what its like to be on a plane .

http://www.parents.com/health/autism/resources/travel-tips-children-with-autism/

https://www.specialglobe.com/travel...-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-on-an-airplane

http://www.minitime.com/trip-tips/7-Tips-for-Flying-with-an-Autistic-Child-article

Talking to your son about what will happen is important.. there are some great books to read to him too..

Books :
http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2013/07/10-books-for-kids-taking-first-flight.html

I have used some of these books and they are great.. if you can get them and read them to him before you leave...

This comes directly from my son..

Having gum, because it pops your ears.

a pillow , in case you doze off.

comfortable clothing.. no new clothing..

stuffed animal. in case you want to play .

note book. in case you want to write or draw.

electronic device. for entertainment . headphones

food. and drink..

some candy.. I recommend Swedish fish .. !!!!

we always take take an inflatable ball. for the gate... we find out quiet gate and blow the ball up. and then let him go crazy with it.. and a skipping rope,
and make sure you have done his dry brushing or deep pressure ... sensory diet is very important...
I would get him used to a scent on his pillow . like a lavender a week or two before we leave.. and then take it with us . small amount on a hankie can be great at an airport or on a plane to hide those smells only they smell.. and then on his pillow of a night time to help sleep. in a strange bed... and different smelling linens..

Hope some of these help.. and hope you have a great trip..

Agree with going towards the back of the plane is trying to save seats. Also, think about the configuration. With 3x3 seating, how do you want to sit? How can your DDs save them?

The dollar section at Target has many great items to keep kids occupied on the plane. Really good items are the little coloring packs, small playdough (under 3 oz and will count as a liquid going through security), stickers (the more stickers the better) and sensory items to hold. An ipad or ipod is good too.

Snacks, snacks, and more snacks! Did I mention snacks? LOL! I bring lollipops, swedish fish, and skittles, as they are all special treats, but also force chewing and sucking to help with ears. For a flight that early, I would bring your own blanket to get him all warm and cozy, which will help him fall asleep. I used to bring the iPad for games and videos, but he got a little too addicted to the darn thing so I had to make it vanish! Wish I could use it just for the plane, but am too worried of the consequences!

My DD likes to do the pre-boarding. It is quiet and less of a hassle. She can get her stuff in the overhead right over her seat. When boarding with everyone else, it is too stressful for her and often the overhead is full. I would suggest that you pre-board with your DS. So much better than entering later. Often there is a line in the aisle waiting. This bothers my DD because it is too confining. She gets a new word search book every flight and starts working on it the minute she sits in her seat. However, she can get hyper-focused on something she likes very easily. You can pre-board with your DS and then your other children can board with their early bird pass. Keep in mind that sometimes they will have individuals in wheelchairs pre-boarding. This bothers my DD so she likes to get to the gate early and tells the gate agent that she is pre-boarding but likes to be first on the plane.

We talked with a flight attendant once about how the planes fill up - front goes first then back then the middle of the plane. The windows and aisles go first and then the middle seats fill up the same way - front of the plane, back of the plane and middle of the plane. My DD likes to sit a couple rows in back of the wing. Quite often, if the flight is not full, we will be the only 2 in the 3 seat aisle. I would sit so my child had either the window - fun to watch them load the luggage and have him watch for his luggage or on the aisle - not so enclosed that way. You could be in the middle seat with your younger children on either side of you. Your oldest can be seated right across the aisle from you to help if necessary.

When my DD went to school, they walked through airport Security several times. Read up on what the procedures are. My DD gets her own baggie of 3oz liquids out and her DVD player out of her backpack, puts it in a bin. Takes off her shoes and jacket and puts it in a bin herself. They do have "family" or "disability" lines for security. Find the TSA agent at the beginning of the security lines and ask for that. Tell him that your son has ASD. They will totally understand and direct you. My DD goes through security better than I do. Practice at home.

My DD collects playing cards from every airport gift shop in every city that she has been in. Kind of her thing. I just plan on her having $10 spending money for the airport - a candy bar, playing cards, soda (something she doesn't normally get), new magazine, etc. are always fun and exciting to purchase and it helps her to stay focused and amused while waiting.

I am sure this is just my DD, but, we always make sure to use the restroom at the airport prior to boarding. She has a hard time with the restrooms on the airplane. On those direct 5 hour flights, I usually have to go stand just outside the door (have to use the restrooms in the back).

I am lucky in that my DD can stay focused on her DVD player (purchase a new movie or bring a favorite - she decides) or her iTouch loaded with Candy Crush. Once airborne she "plugs herself in" and is really good. She flies 5 hours across the country often by herself. When she was in school she would always sleep on the way home - tired. Sometimes we have written down our must-dos on the plane. My DD has to have a schedule of what we are doing that day. She and I will talk about "what comes next" while we fly. My DD likes pipe cleaners - they are a fun activity. Just remember if it is something that has little pieces to keep each activity in a ziplock baggie so you don't lose them. Coloring books are fun - especially if Mom colors too. My DD takes her stuffed Stitch with her on the plane - she would be embarrassed that I put this on here, but, it is what it is - comforts her and is familiar.

Sorry for the length. Have fun!

If you think he might kick the seat in front of him, have your older daughter sit in that seat. If you have a stranger yelling at you because their seat is being kicked, no one on the plane will sleep.

We have flown SWA with our 12 year old daughter that has ASD. We request and receive pre-boarding for her and since we are just a family of 3 they allow all us to board together. You and your son should be allowed to pre-board together. Just speak to the gate agent before boarding and explain your situation. We bring a bag of new toys, her iPad and snacks to keep her occupied during the flight. IF you think boarding last would be more helpful, also talk to the gate agent about having your son and daughter "saving a seat for you and your son. This can be done in special needs circumstances. The gate agent would issue you a piece of paper that says "This seat is saved" and it is placed on the then unoccupied seat.

If you are bringing a carseat for the 4 year old have the daughters bring that on with them and install it in the window seat. It will be ready for him when he gets there.

as for security make sure any lovies or blankets as in carryon as they will have to go thru scanner and can not be carried no matter how upset your child may get. if not prepared nothing is worse than seeing your lovie disappearing into the scanner. as for kicking seat in front of you car seat makes that easier and usually the tray table can not be uses with car seat

Thank you all so much! I will try the practicing at home. My son also has a developmental delay. But we will try. All of this is great advice! Thank you so much!

FYI, if you paid for EBCI, that doesn't mean you will be in the A boarding group. You didn't need to pay for this for your son and you if you are going to preboard.

OP, you can ask for preboarding Whether or not they allow all four of you to board then depends on the gate agent.

Every ASD person is different. My son went to Disney when he was 6-1/2. Back then I told security that he had autism and I needed to hold his hand to go the metal detector. Now he practices going through the body scanner, but I think your son doesn't have to because of his age. We always preboard so he can get situated and if it just the two of us, I sit him by the window and tell the person on my other side he is autism and may shut the window blind for no reason. He used to squirm in his car seat and I was worried about the plane, but he was happy just looking at the sky(I can't do that because of motion sickness). I had picture cards that I made myself for DisneyWorld so I went over them while we were waiting for the plane to finish boarding and takeoff. He knows the routine pretty well by now, so much so, that I am the one that is jostled if the routine is rattled.

SouthWest allows preboard for cognitive which we have used in the past and it works great.

I know the SouthWest policy is to allow one additional person to board with the child. Has anyone ever had issues pre board with both Mom & Dad?

Hi OP! We have two ASD kiddos ages 6 & 4. We also have an 18 year old daughter and 17 year old son. We have flown with the little boys 2x the 3rd time will be in May. I can relate to your situation in every way!! We fly Jet Blue and they are wonderful. We are marked for expedited security and pre boarding. I believe if you call SW they will help you. Feel free to message me and we can talk about getting through that flight (I know every bell and whistle). Our 4 year old is also developmentally delayed and completely non verbal. Nothing about this stuff is easy!! Sending you all my best wishes!

mjr0483 said:

I know the SouthWest policy is to allow one additional person to board with the child. Has anyone ever had issues pre board with both Mom & Dad?

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We flew SW last August and had absolutely no issues with the three of us pre-boarding. We took 4 different flights and has no problems on any of them.