First time flying with autistic son. What do I need to know?

[brergnat]

Son is 4.5 years old. We're taking a short (thank goodness!) 1 hour flight to San Francisco this weekend for a quick weekend getaway. This will be his first airplane trip. We had to hold off on flying with him due to some sort of anxiety he had about it previously (we had a trip planned last year that we had to cancel when he absolutely FREAKED out at the mention of flying on an airplane).

We have been discussing the trip ad nauseum. He seems exicted about it, and understands basic protocol. i.e. he must stay in his seat on the plane, must wear his seatbelt, must behave and not scream, yell, or disturb others, etc.

He is high functioning, verbal, and extremely intelligent. His main issues are social deficits (lacks social awareness at times, lacks basic social skills such as responding to greetings, etc.).

We are flying Southwest. I am wondering, is there anything I should/need to do at the airport? Where do we go/who do we speak to? Do I need to mention his condition? Should we preboard? I plan to check in early enough the day before to get "A" passes. We have another son, 3, who will be flying in a carseat (he has a major speech/language delay, and at this point, he's VERY wary of flying...he cries and says "no no no" when I mention it, so we're not taking chances of him NOT staying in his seat nicely). I'm sort of worried to preboard, but I think it might be necessary. Do we qualify for the preboard due to medical condition? What do I need to bring to prove DS's autism diagnosis? Will IEP suffice?

I guess I just think we should bring it to the flight crew's attention, just so they know, in case EITHER child melts down...perhaps they will be able to assist us and/or have a bit more patience as we help calm them down.

Also, where is the best place to choose to sit? I assume the back so if the kids act up we'll disturb fewer people, but maybe the front is better, for a quicker exit? What do you all suggest?

 

[bookwormde]

My then DS8 Aspergers basically said the same thing the first time I mentioned flying. We spent about 2 months briefing him. While we talked to him about it, as you might expect we used a lot of videos and other visual information to get him informed. We also emphasized that what he sees on cartoons (or movies) about planes is not real which was where much of his concern apparently came from. Pre briefing of all aspects of the flight experience (arriving and moving through security, boarding, takeoff etc.) is important. While our DS was still nervous he did fine and actually wanted the widow seat on the flights back.

While it is not required I would suggest letting the flight attendants know about your child’s “disability” so they can understand and implement the additional protections for your child if needed that the regulations require. If you have any problems just request a conflict resolution official (CRO) since they are fully trained in the regulations. SW does an exceptionally broad and effective job of training their employees so it would be an exception if they do not implement the regulations effectively.

We sat near the back so less people would come by us when loading and deplaning, we sat 2 DS window and middle seat and DW isle seat, I sat in front of DS Aspergers (middle seat) so if he kicked or pushed the seat in front it would not disturb anyone.

You can get a pass to preboard the aircraft and get settled are available in the concourse typically at SW’s customer service desk. All you have to do is to self declare the disability for your child, no proof is needed.

There is a FAA regulation (title 14 part 382), which outlines your child’s rights when it comes to commercial air travel, it is available as a link on some airlines web sites, you should be familiar with it before you fly.

Or here is a link to the FAA doc

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/382short.doc

and here is link there the FAA general info

http://www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/asp/airacc.asp


bookwormde

 

[BeckyScott]

We sat toward the back, too. I just thought it gave us easier access to a flight attendant, if we needed one, and also to the bathroom. Of course it takes forever to get off the plane once it lands, but that bugged me worse than anyone else.

Both boys were a little freaked out by take-off and landing, but during the flight they did fine. Really, most flights, it's kinda boring during the middle.

Take something to entertain the kids. You probably already knew that. My carry-on had a half dozen things that were new for them to do, and we had oldest DS's GameBoy. Also, if you have a picky eater or food allergies, don't forget to pack snacks.

We had youngest DS with a window seat and me in the middle, and oldest DS with DH directly in front of us. I wasn't worried about kicking so much as them fighting over looking out the window.

 

[brergnat]

We sat toward the back, too. I just thought it gave us easier access to a flight attendant, if we needed one, and also to the bathroom. Of course it takes forever to get off the plane once it lands, but that bugged me worse than anyone else.

Both boys were a little freaked out by take-off and landing, but during the flight they did fine. Really, most flights, it's kinda boring during the middle.

Take something to entertain the kids. You probably already knew that. My carry-on had a half dozen things that were new for them to do, and we had oldest DS's GameBoy. Also, if you have a picky eater or food allergies, don't forget to pack snacks.

We had youngest DS with a window seat and me in the middle, and oldest DS with DH directly in front of us. I wasn't worried about kicking so much as them fighting over looking out the window.

Thanks for the input! We are planning a similar seating arrangement. DS4 (autistic one) already said he wants to sit "with Daddy", so we are planning to put him in the window seat with DH and put DS3 in the window seat directly in front of him, in case he kicks. Also, with DS3 in the carseat, he won't be able to kick the seat in front of HIM, since his legs won't reach...it's a Radian car seat, so it sits low and far back. DH and I will be in the middle seats.

We purposely planned a SHORT flight for the first one. We plan to bring a snack for each kid (since the flight is at snack time anyway), DS4's Leapster, a DVD player for younger DS, coloring books and crayons, and I got some new travel games/toys for each kid that they don't know about yet.

The actual flight time after takeoff is less than an hour, so it should pass quickly.

Thanks for all the input both of you!

 

[locolala]

One thing to make sure is that they stay really well hydrated. I don't know much about what to do for ears popping (younger kids can suck on a binky or a bottle, older kids and adults chew gum). I think just the act of swallowing can help, or maybe sucking a drink up through a straw or sippy cup.

 

[brergnat]

One thing to make sure is that they stay really well hydrated. I don't know much about what to do for ears popping (younger kids can suck on a binky or a bottle, older kids and adults chew gum). I think just the act of swallowing can help, or maybe sucking a drink up through a straw or sippy cup.

Yeah, I thought about that. Will bring sippy cups (empty for security...will fill up with water after we're through there). I also plan to bring some Dum Dum lollipops. Both boys recently have become OBSESSED with them, and I know it will be a real treat. They will promote swallowing during takeoff and landing, and as a bonus, they take a LONG time to eat, and will keep the boys QUIET.

 

[locolala]

Haha good! I have terrible issues with my ears and I have to chew gum or something when I fly. Granted, I also have really bad anxiety about flying so I have to pop a valium. Best of luck on your flight, my aunt just took her two kids (both have asbergers, daughter also has severe anxiety) on a 7 hour flight.. she gave them benadryl and they zonked, lol