Taking son on airplane for the first time

[lexntaysmom]

Hello -

I'm planning our first trip to the World in Feb 2009, we live in Las Vegas so driving doesn't really seem like a good option. However, I'm WAY nervous at taking my son (will be 9) on a plane.

He's got what's called CMV Virus and is developmentally delayed. Doesn't talk, walk and gets really agitated sometimes. I'm thinking as long as I can take our portable DVD players and keep movies rolling he would be good to go, but it's not that easy to find direct flights from here.. still hoping more will come up as the time gets closer.

My question is - For all of you that have taken your children on a plane how much of an issue is it? Is it hard changing flights with a wheelchair and all? Do they usually tolerate it pretty well? Has anyone had kids with lots of ear issues? He used to get ear infections all the time before we moved to Vegas and his ears are a little sensitive, does the pressure from the plane bother your kids?

Thank you so much for any advice or help you can give.

Melissa

 

[mechurchlady]

I am flying on American Airlines next month and they have disabled seats where the arm rest can be moved so that disabled people can get out of their seats easier. You can ask for one on you airline. Never flown with kids but chewing gum is said to help. Also stories with your kid so that he knows what to expect. Show him what he is going to see and do.

 

[Angielou1079]

I'm not sure about the wheelchair part but my sister has tubes in her ears and use to get ear infections all the time when we were lil (I'm now 29 she's 24) anyways when we were lil the dr had mom give her a decongestant and chew gum or they make those ear plug things to put in your ears for the pressure on the plane...maybe you could ask your child's dr about the decongestant thing? Just sharing what worked for my sister I'm obviously not a dr

 

[angelbearmom]

I'd recommend a direct flight if you can, or one with stops where you don't have to get off the plane. I haven't had to change planes any of the times I've flown with either of my children and do everything I can to avoid that. How big is your son? Can you carry him from his chair to the airplane seat?

My ds (16 severe cognitive delay, totally dependant) sounds a bit like your son. He's done amazingly well on his flights. He likes to play with beads and strings so I've just always made sure he had new beads to play with each time. This time we're flying overnight so I'm hoping I can get him to sleep. I've found that with the noise of the ventilation system others can't hear as much as you'd think so some noise from your son is likely ok. I was worried about my ds if I got up to use the washroom as he tends to yell if I'm not within his line of sight when we're in strange places, but he's always been fine. The change in pressure in the plane has never bothered him.

btw; we fly to DW from Seattle so it's a fairly long flight. This is our third trip.
This time we have a non stop which is going to be nice.