Nervous about our first flight

[MoreMouse5]

We're headed to Disney in two weeks. DS 11 has Down syndrome. We've been to the parks before, so I know how we will handle all of that. We are flying this trip, though--first time in an airport/airplane for him, as well as DS 9 and DD 7. DS is well-behaved for the most part and has no health issues to speak of. I'm just nervous about getting through security and our actual time on the plane. He likes to "talk" to his action figures and the characters in books he likes, and he definitely gets animated when he plays GameBoy. I don't want him to disturb others with that. (He won't wear headphones.) I worry that he will have to go to the bathroom RIGHT NOW and it won't be a time when he can get out of his seat. Then there's always the fear that he will be terrified of takeoff or landing and we won't be able to convince him to get on the plane to come home! We're trying to talk up all the fun, positive aspects of this experience, but still I worry. Sometimes talking with him too much in advance about something is worse than just surprising him with a new experience. The flight is only 2 hours, so hopefully everything will be fine. Any advice for me?

 

[bookwormde]

As much preplanning and prebrifing as you can do is often very helpful. Having lots of his favorite activities and treats halps a lot. As for bathrooms, adjusting intake can help a lot, Bring in you cary on a change of clothes for him "just in case".

Identyfying you child to TSA and the flight crew as a child wilth a disabiiltiy is helful also

You can preboard ahead of the other passengers if that helps (you have to get a prebord pass at the airlines custome servie counter in the concourse).

Here is a link to SW site which has a PDF link to the FAA requlations which spells out the special rights that your son has when flying. Your child can not be removed from the flight for a manefestation of his disability unless it creates a safety hazard.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/disability.html#14cfr


Bookwormde

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Additionally, you may want to try to have him use the bathroom in the terminal just prior to boarding.

 

[Earstou]

Would you be able to go to the airport and watch the planes takeoff, and talk about the noise and vibrations that come along with it? I would park somewhere close to the airport and make it just a fun thing to watch, while really educating him about what planes sound like.
We live close to an airport mostly used by National Guard, so we have occasional planes that fly right over our house, so my ds was aware of noise factor! He has aspergers, so I worried about his first flight too, but we played 'airport' at home, pretending to go thru security and get on the plane to prepare him before hand.