TSA Checkpoint and Autism

[Midnightred]

Anyone have any suggestions on getting through security checkpoints at the airports without too much hassel? I have two boys with autism, one is 11 and fairly high functioning. He does have difficulty following instructions. My other son is 9 years-old, is non-verbal, and cannot follow most directions at all. He can also be aggressive, have outburst, cry, and bite himself. Is there a special line, or may I tell someone ahead of time the situation? We are flying from El Paso to Los Angeles to go to Disneyland. Last time we flew with him he was pretty small. I think he will love the plane, and do great once we board. I am worried sick my husband will attack one of the TSA agents if they are not understanding of my son's condition.

Midnightred

 

[AJKMOM]

I have heard others talk about "social stories" and using YouTube to show them what will happen. You might want to check out the TSA web site to see if they have any suggestions. We have gone so often, my son is pretty good. I always go first in line and tell the agent that my son does not follow directions or answer questions. (He answers 'yes' to everything, imagine those complications. )

Some airports have a family line for security, but not all. That might help you more coming home.

 

[disney david]

Anyone have any suggestions on getting through security checkpoints at the airports without too much hassel? I have two boys with autism, one is 11 and fairly high functioning. He does have difficulty following instructions. My other son is 9 years-old, is non-verbal, and cannot follow most directions at all. He can also be aggressive, have outburst, cry, and bite himself. Is there a special line, or may I tell someone ahead of time the situation? We are flying from El Paso to Los Angeles to go to Disneyland. Last time we flew with him he was pretty small. I think he will love the plane, and do great once we board. I am worried sick my husband will attack one of the TSA agents if they are not understanding of my son's condition.

Midnightred

i am going to give you helpful info and info that will help you and your family

here the main page on tsa.gov for info traveling with a disabilities and tsa cares phone number where you can call and ask them questions.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/travelers-disabilities-and-medical-conditions

here is tsa notification cards where you could write stuff to let the agent know so you don't have to say it out loud

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/notification-card

here their info for autism

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/autism-or-intellectual-disabilities

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/children-disabilities

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/traveling-children

sorry for so many link you can find it all with the first just gave some short cuts.

 

[OhanaDreams]

We just flew out of El Paso in November. El Paso did have a family line when we went. One thing we always bring is a copy of his IEP and medical record. Overkill I know, but if we have to "prove it" we can.

We had a social story 2 years ago when we first started flying with our kiddo, but now he only needs a verbal reminder of the rules before boarding.

While waiting for the plane we find a quiet area. Once on the plane we use a lap pad and set him up with his dvd player and headphones. I always buy a new DVD for the trip so he is engaged in that.

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[bean24]

We flew in Oct with our 3 yr old ASD son. My DH went in front and told the TSA agent that our son can't talk and might not follow directions. He then walked through, my son went to him and I followed. We did this both ways and it worked out fine. Good luck

 

[blondietink]

Would your 9 year old be willing to use a wheelchair for the process from getting into the airport to getting into the airplane? This works well for both of my disabled young adult children as they like the movement which calms them. You can borrow one from a skycap where you check your luggage. Then you will be able to use the line for guest assistance which is more friendly to people with disabilities.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

do not let the boys start using elec devices before takeoff as they have to be turned off and put away fo takeoff and landing. this can cause a meltdown if not planned on

 

[acebatonfan]

DSis(11) is also autistic, but I do have a few suggestions that might help a bit.

If you can find out what happens during security at your airport, use it to create a roleplay with your sons. All you have to do is grab a few bags as "carry-ons", pretend boarding passes, and some imagination, and it might help with your sons getting into a routine of knowing what will happen at the airport. Some factors to consider are:

• You might be waiting upwards of 40+ minutes in line just to get into security. This area can be very crowded, and if either of your sons have issues with being in tight spaces, like my sister, it might be wise to find a way to give them their own little spaces in the line.
• Screening methods are different between each airport. The airport closer to my house uses metal detectors, but the airport two hours away uses body scanners. If you can figure out which one the airports you are flying out of uses, it is wise to teach your sons how to pose for these scanners during the roleplays.
• Security will usually select people for random screenings. There is nothing much you can do about it, but just letting your sons know that they might have to do some extra things might help alleviate fears if they are chosen for additional screenings.

One of the things that has been of great use for my sister is social stories. A trip through security story can be easily created with laminated notecards that have velcro that can be attached to a larger board, and it can be easily used when going through roleplays and through security. A simple social story can be along the lines of:

1. I am going to Disneyland, but I will need to take an airplane to get to Disneyland.
2. Before I can go to Disneyland, I will have to go through airport security.
3. I will wait in line with Mommy, Daddy, and my siblings.
4. When I am at the front of the line, I will take off my shoes.
5. I will also remove all metal items on me.
6. I will take off my backpack.
7. I will place my backpack, my shoes, and any other items into the plastic bin.
8. Mommy or Daddy will help me place the bin through the conveyer belt.
9. I will go through the metal detector (Or I will pose for the body scanner)
10. When the security man tells me I am good, I will wait for my family
11. Mommy or Daddy will help me get the bin with all my stuff.
12. I will put on my shoes and backpack.
13. I will leave the security area with Mommy, Daddy, and my siblings
14. Good job!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

DSis(11) is also autistic, but I do have a few suggestions that might help a bit.

One of the things that has been of great use for my sister is social stories. A trip through security story can be easily created with laminated notecards that have velcro that can be attached to a larger board, and it can be easily used when going through roleplays and through security. A simple social story can be along the lines of:

1. I am going to Disneyland, but I will need to take an airplane to get to Disneyland.
2. Before I can go to Disneyland, I will have to go through airport security.
3. I will wait in line with Mommy, Daddy, and my siblings.
4. When I am at the front of the line, I will take off my shoes.
5. I will also remove all metal items on me.
6. I will take off my backpack.
7. I will place my backpack, my shoes, and any other items into the plastic bin.
8. Mommy or Daddy will help me place the bin through the conveyer belt.
9. I will go through the metal detector (Or I will pose for the body scanner)
10. When the security man tells me I am good, I will wait for my family
11. Mommy or Daddy will help me get the bin with all my stuff.
12. I will put on my shoes and backpack.
13. I will leave the security area with Mommy, Daddy, and my siblings
14. Good job!

Please note children 12 and younger do not remove their shoes.

 

[Midnightred]

Thank you all for all of these wonderful ideas! It is especially good to know there is a family line in the El Paso airport. I like the idea about the wheelchair, he would love it, but I want to make sure there are plenty left for the people who really need them. So good to know about the shoes not having to come off! Good point about not starting the movie until electronic devices are able to come back out after take off. Maybe some candy would help. The ideas about the social stories are good for my older son, and maybe for other kids, but my youngest could not connect all of this. He has very little understanding of any information verbally, or by movies and pictures. I am more worried about my DH's reaction to everything, but we will live through this and it will be worth it. Thanks again, and please feel free to post more-love the tips!

Midnightred

 

[disney david]

Thank you all for all of these wonderful ideas! It is especially good to know there is a family line in the El Paso airport. I like the idea about the wheelchair, he would love it, but I want to make sure there are plenty left for the people who really need them. So good to know about the shoes not having to come off! Good point about not starting the movie until electronic devices are able to come back out after take off. Maybe some candy would help. The ideas about the social stories are good for my older son, and maybe for other kids, but my youngest could not connect all of this. He has very little understanding of any information verbally, or by movies and pictures. I am more worried about my DH's reaction to everything, but we will live through this and it will be worth it. Thanks again, and please feel free to post more-love the tips!

Midnightred

I have a suggestion is the airport close could you and your Dh and son go visit so he sees what it like and can watch. You could also call the airport and aka to speak to Tsa and make an appointment and they could talk to you and show you the screening. Not sure if it close or that something you want to do but may be if he sees it before it help.

 

[Midnightred]

Thank you, but unfortunatly, it's not close. We live in one of the most remote locations in the United States. We are 3 hours from the nearest airport, and 3 1/2 to 4 hrs from the one we are flying out of. Good idea though! We are flying out of El Paso rather than Midland/Odessa due to the pricing, and more flights to the Los Angeles area, incl direst flights. What I really would like to do is to fly into John Wayne airport, but it's $450 more for my family. Maybe there will be a good sale or something. Thanks!

Midnightred

 

[disney david]

Thank you, but unfortunatly, it's not close. We live in one of the most remote locations in the United States. We are 3 hours from the nearest airport, and 3 1/2 to 4 hrs from the one we are flying out of. Good idea though! We are flying out of El Paso rather than Midland/Odessa due to the pricing, and more flights to the Los Angeles area, incl direst flights. What I really would like to do is to fly into John Wayne airport, but it's $450 more for my family. Maybe there will be a good sale or something. Thanks!

Midnightred

Yeah that be nice John Wayne is a nice airport so may be it come down in price before you leave.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

something else to think about is your younger son a flapper, moving hands alot? if so if he touches side of scanner he will set it off. thank goodness traveler behind saw older grandson touch side or he would have had to go thu a pat down. it is hard for him to walk thru without touching as he has to touch everything. the standing in line was the hardest part, even the family line can be long if a lot of families are flying. i had to get all three grandsons thru as my daughter can not go thru usual line for med reasons and the boys were not allowed to go with her in her line.

 

[Midnightred]

Oh yes, the young one touches everything, just moves all the time. I could stand by and maybe coach. I can see him running out of the scanner before completion. Line will be a little difficult, but not unbearable. I kind of hold his hands while he raises them up, allowing him a good deal of movement. Sometimes I lightly put my arm over his chest too, to keep him in the area. He doesn't mind. This is what we do in line at the parks.

Midnightred

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, since they are school aged, enlist the help of the school people/therapists that work with them.
They should be able to help you with making social stories and even possibly do a classroom study on airports where they would set up a mock security the way another poster described.

I would not necessarily count the youngest one out on social stories. Just because he can't show you can understand doesn't mean he wouldn't pick up something from the social story. A lot of people with autism don't look at pictures directly and look at them indirectly, so even if he is not looking at it and maybe paying attention to it without you being able to tell.
Many children don't respond as well to a social story on paper as they do I iPad or iPod touch or other template. There are some very good and out available for making social stories. My favorite is called Pictello.
The combination of words and pictures really help some children to pay attention who would not otherwise be looking at the story. It also helps that the story will read itself out loud, so they can listen to it without you having to read it a million times.

There is also a post about air travel in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. It is located near the top of this board or you can follow the link in my signature.
There are TSA website links there in case you lose this thread and are looking for the links that Disney David posted.

 

[SueM in MN]

Anyone have any suggestions on getting through security checkpoints at the airports without too much hassel? I have two boys with autism, one is 11 and fairly high functioning. He does have difficulty following instructions. My other son is 9 years-old, is non-verbal, and cannot follow most directions at all. He can also be aggressive, have outburst, cry, and bite himself. Is there a special line, or may I tell someone ahead of time the situation? We are flying from El Paso to Los Angeles to go to Disneyland. Last time we flew with him he was pretty small. I think he will love the plane, and do great once we board. I am worried sick my husband will attack one of the TSA agents if they are not understanding of my son's condition.

Midnightred

Given that you have written in most of the posts on this thread that you are concerned about your husband's reaction, I would put more thought into how he could react and how to prepare for that.
Even though you don't fly often, the TSA agents see people with autism or other special needs frequently. Useless your child actually hits an agent, they are not likely to be an issue. Most are pretty understanding about autism and I have read the agents actually did some autism training hen thy rolled out the website info about children traveling.
An adult who is having trouble keeping his temper in check - even if he just looks like he is angry or might be angry will set off red flags and could trigger extra screening for your whole group or even prevent you from traveling.

 

[disney david]

I would just let your husband know to help ease his mind not to attack Tsa or federal workers. The gov dose not like it and will show their employees are off limit. Their a women in Orlando well flying out of Orlando now facing two felony barges for assaying and officer because she was not happy Tsa wouldn't let her take her large shampoo. So she slapped one and hit another so she facing serous charges that could get her a good amount of jail time. Their also a base ball player for the giants that got detained in Las Vegas airport for being aggressive with Tsa because she didn't have proper I'd the police handcuffed him took him to the airport police station and ticketed him for not following airport rules. Then escorted him off airport property and was not allowed to fly well for hat day. After the alcohol got out of his system and he could act like an civilized adult I am sure he got on a plane and went home. Your going on vacation don't wind up with charges just relax it be fine. If so etching happens please ask for the manager of screenings handle it with words instead on attacking because in the end Tsa will win.

You won't be separated from your son and you can let the agent know what the best way to screen your son. Most likely he to through the metal detector and not body scanner. But could be wrong so I just have him practice walking through something and not touch i know it be hard but if it goes off he could have to get patted down if he officer dose not see him touch or let him try again. I am thinking the scanner would be easier just because then you just stand their for three second and your done if he goes through just make sure he has nothing in his pockets not even paper because it show up and their need to pay that area down.

It your still worried I suggest calling hat airport ask to speak to Tsa then ask to speak to be manager of screening and ask them questions. That way your vet a sense of how they handle it they may just read off what the web site says but you could ask other questions.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Given that you have written in most of the posts on this thread that you are concerned about your husband's reaction, I would put more thought into how he could react and how to prepare for that.
Even though you don't fly often, the TSA agents see people with autism or other special needs frequently. Useless your child actually hits an agent, they are not likely to be an issue. Most are pretty understanding about autism and I have read the agents actually did some autism training hen thy rolled out the website info about children traveling.
An adult who is having trouble keeping his temper in check - even if he just looks like he is angry or might be angry will set off red flags and could trigger extra screening for your whole group or even prevent you from traveling.

Excellent advice. When I first read the OP's post, I was thinking that her husband might be the bigger problem!

 

[Midnightred]

Very true guys! Great tips as always. Staff at school always looking for ideas. Our family has a new Ipad so will try those social story networks. It's true, my husband has alot of anger and speaks of stories where TSA has searched people with disabilities. I have to pick my battles. We are a team when it comes to our kids. He is just an overprotective, neurotic father. I have talked to him about the TSA. He said, "I hope you know I am smarter than that". Oh my crazy family!

Midnightred