American Airlines, Disney Express and Autism

[Disneylvr]

We are flying for the first time (post diagnosis) with our ASD daughter this coming April. She will be 5 and is non-verbal. She has flown once but she was only 1 at the time, all of our other trips have been in the car, including a WDW trip in 2006, and for the most part she is a pretty good traveler. The problem I anticipate might happen would be her kicking the seat in front of us (she craves deep pressure) so I will have to remove her shoes, massage her feet frequently or there will be a meltdown for sure. She also has allot of verbal stims and may be loud until we are able to turn on her portable DVD player. Is it possible to be the last passengers to board the plane?

Could others who have had flown with American Airlines and special needs children please share their experiences both good and bad. And did you use the Magical Express? In the past we have rented a car but we need to save $$$ and use Disney transportation this time since we splurged on the Poly.

Any advice, helpful tips or warnings would be most helpful. Our daughter has moderate to severe autism.

 

[stenickar]

I have flown with 3 children with autism(at different times of course). All of them did fine. My most worrisome trip was with my son who was 6 at the time and is nonverbal. I brought water taffy for him to chew on for his ears in case the change in altitude bothered him. The taffy also took him a while to chew and it helped keep him quiet until we could get the DVD player going. He also has a lot of verbal stims(sounds like the 2 of them could be long lost cousins )I think because the experience was new and different he did very well. I also made sure I had his favorite snacks, books and some new toys that I knew he would like. I also made sure his PECs were available to him at all times. Even though he has a few words, in a new situation he may be overwhelmed and not able to vocalize his needs. I don't know about your daughter but I also brought headphones for him, not the ones they hand out on the plane,ones that fit tight on over his ears and give him some pressure on his head. I buy his in the sporting goods dept. at Walmart, they are used for target practice ear protection. We did board the plane earlier, but it was because we were flying with a child.
We have used Magical Express each time also. We did not have any problems. One time the movie wasn't working so we had to use his DVD player on the bus too. I am thinking about taking both of my kids to Disney soon. They are both 11 now. I hope this helps, feel free to ask more specific questions if you have any. Lori

 

[kaytieeldr]

Of course you should be able to board the plane last. Just let the Gate Agent know that's what you want to do (in fact, not relative to your specific situation, but it was an AA agent who first suggested the 'board last' option to me... but I was looking for an empty row on a redeye flight But I digress).

When you say "we" and "our" - it sounds like you mean at least two adults. One option you might want to consider is getting your seats reassigned so that the other adult, or an older child or travel companion, is in the seat in front of your daughter.

 

[scottsod]

just a note some of the buses for magical express are mears busses not disney and i dont think they have the video playing and the ones that do it dosnt start for about 10 15 min as its gps controled when they get to a spot it starts so have a dvd ready

scott

 

[BCBug]

We flew AA in October with DS (9 at the time), also ASD. I asked the gate agent about boarding, which would be better, first or last, and she gave us the option of either. We chose to go on first, and get DS settled in between myself and DH, which formed a little protective wall around DS. Then I pulled out his backpack, and got him started on a Color Wonder Cars book. We pre-boarded on each leg of this trip, and it worked out great. We also gave the cabin attendants a heads-up about DS' situation, which helped smooth the way with fellow passengers. We took Disney Express (Mickey's bus), and had no problems. With the big seats, we were able to once again shield DS from the world, give him his own little space. (he takes comfort in small enclosed spaces.)

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Could you ask about getting the seats at the front of the cabin? That way, there are no seats in front to kick, so it removes the problem completely.

You should be able to board first or last, just ask at the desk before boarding starts. I once boarded the flight last, though this wasn't because I asked for it, just because they forgot me!

You might want to carry a cushion or two onto the flight to 'wedge' her into the seat. As she's only 5, the aeroplane seat might be a little big, and a bit of padding could make it more comfy and safe. Also, if you have a weighted blanket, that might help settle her a bit too.

Can't really think of many suggestions other than those everyone else has already come up with! Have a great trip!

 

[Figaro]

Bulkhead seats (ones at the front of the coach section of the plane) sometimes have a solid wall and sometimes there is nothing but a curtain and the back of either the business class or first class seat. When there is a solid wall, about half the time it is because there is a restroom there and half the time a closet. I've never been able to figure out anyway to consistently tell what is going to be there and even seatguru doesn't have that information all of the time.

Just thought I'd give you more information so you can make a better decision about what the best seating arrangement might be for all of you. Have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

Bulkhead seats (ones at the front of the coach section of the plane) sometimes have a solid wall and sometimes there is nothing but a curtain and the back of either the business class or first class seat. When there is a solid wall, about half the time it is because there is a restroom there and half the time a closet.

we've have both kinds of bulkheads.
Also keep in mind that in a bulkhead seat, you won't be able to store anything under your seat (unless you have have the back of First Class in front of you, there is no seat in front of you to place anything under).
There may be a small compartment for you to put things into, otherwise the only storage space is in the pocket that holds the airline magazine.

 

[Disneylvr]

Thank you everyone! Unfortunately all the bulkhead seats on the available flights have been reserved. There are just 3 of us traveling. DD, DH and me.

 

[disneynewman]

MY DS, 5 also has autism and one of my big blood pressure raising situations is the security checkpoint at the airport. You should also check out this link http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1572.shtm it is best to explain your DD's autism so they do not try to make her walk through alone. One time the agent want DS to walk through before DH or myself, he may very well have run off if there was no one there to 'catch' him on the other side. I also had one agent who was checking everyones tickets, she kept asking DS, 'so your name is Brian right' as if she thought we were kidnapping him or something. He just ignored her and starting flapping his arms. Finally I said, he has autism, she shut up and walked away.
I definatly find it best to explain DS's autism to everyone when traveling, it makes everything much better and people are understanding instead of thinking I have a brat of a child.

Good luck!

 

[BCBug]

At security checkpoint on our way home, I went first in line, and told TSA agent that my son with special needs would come through after me, and then my DH went after DS. Told all the screeners, everyone, that my son has special needs. I believe it helped smooth the way, and minimized potentially difficult situations.

 

[Disneylvr]

I plan to be very open about my daughter's autism to everyone during our travels, especially at the airport. I plan to go through security first explaining the situation, then my daughter and then DH. Our local center for autism has done some local airport research for us. I am still nervous about the flights but I want our family to live life like anyone else and that includes vacations where flying might be required. Thank you everyone! And keep the advice coming. I just made the airline reservations this morning. The planes are MD80 with restrooms in the back. So, for now, our seat assignments are near the back of the plane since DD is not fully potty trained and we may need to change her or give her a chance to use the potty. Also in the back of the plane there are no seats on one side since that is where the food service area is, meaning less people she might disturb if a meltdown occurs. So far no one is assigned to the seats in front of us but of course I know that will probably change. DD is in the middle seat and we will change her around IF a different seat in front of us is empty.