Top Advice for Surviving Plane Travel With Your Autistic Child

Top Advice for Surviving Plane Travel With Your

Autistic Child

It was not going to be an easy journey seated next to a tired, overstimulated child

who needed constant reassurance and who repetitively pushed buttons, opened and

closed tray tables, was anxious about flying, and didn’t like crowds.

The problems began when we boarded the plane and realized we had been seated

in a different part than our children, and due to the adults sitting in an exit row, I was

unable to sit near my son with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Things went from bad to worse throughout the flight. Bad turbulence meant no one

could leave their seats for five hours, and the food and drink service was suspended

during this time. The flight attendant had promised my son a drink but never came

back. When he was eventually attended to after five hours, he was told they had run

out of the drink he wanted, despite it having been served to the row behind.

At one point, my child was made to move by the flight attendant without warning or

the ability to pause his movie first. He got more and more stressed, and to cut a long

story short, by the time we landed seven hours later (and his movie abruptly turned

off again), he was in full-on head banging, punching, kicking, and loudly-screaming

meltdown mode! I couldn’t calm him down until we were off the plane, through

security, and in a quiet corner of the baggage reclaim room.

Now, all autistic children are different, and all flights and airlines are different. The

above story, as any parent of a child with ASD would understand, is by far our worst

flying experience.

Top Advice for Surviving Plane Travel With Your Autistic Child

Travelling by plane with children is difficult. Travelling by plane with a child with ASD

can be extra challenging. Airports and planes can be extremely stressful, anxiety-

provoking, and overstimulating places for children on the spectrum. You can,

however, make it as easy as possible to fly with a little bit of hard work and forward

planning.

My 11-year-old son with ASD has been on over 50 planes and has survived them all!

Here are my top 10 tips for travelling by plane with an autistic child:

Tip 1:Book seats in advance

Phone the airline you are travelling with or the travel agent you booked the flight

through and ask for allocated medical seats so your family can be seated together. If

your child is likely to kick, ask for bulkhead seats so as not to annoy other

passengers. Most airlines are very helpful with this but some do not include ASD as

a reason for medical seats. In this instance, it is better to pay to book seats in

advance.

Tip 2: Call or email the airports you are travelling from,

through, and to

Top Advice for Surviving Plane Travel With Your Autistic Child

Some airports have great autism schemes. Manchester Airport in England, for

example, will send you a terminal-specific booklet in advance for your child to learn

about the airport and what will happen during the flight. There is also an activity book

to do while your child goes through the airport, reduced-price parking in the closest

car park to the terminal, and most helpful of all, a blue wristband. This wristband

enables all airport workers to see that you are travelling with an autistic passenger.

You get to pass through security lines quickly, and you will receive extra patience

going through security and help when you need it.

Many airports will go out of their way to help you and arrange anything—they’ll locate

your bags, allow you to skip lines, escort you between flights to free stays in airport

lounges, and put you on earlier flights. Most airports will be helpful and will email you

pictures so you can prepare your child, and some have social stories available for

this purpose.

Tip 3: Contact TSA in advance

If you are travelling to, within, or from the USA, then contact Transportation Security

Administration (TSA) a few weeks before you travel. They have been so helpful to us

over the years. TSA also has a downloadable card you can print and show at

security points. Depending on the airport, there are different ways they can help, but

it generally involves being met off the plane or calling a number when you get there

and then being escorted through security, passport control, and more, which avoids

lines and makes the whole process easier.

Top Advice for Surviving Plane Travel With Your Autistic Child

Tip 4: Visit an airport preview

If your child has never been on a plane and is feeling anxious, there are also some

airports that offer times for you to take your child and get on a plane for practice or

for a tour. Alternatively, just visiting or going to a viewing park may help prepare your

child. If you are unable to visit, then try to get some pictures or social stories to help

your child know what to expect.

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Tip 5: Park as close as you can

We always drive to the airport and pre-book an onsite parking lot, preferably one

close enough to walk to the terminal. This cuts out the added stress of taxis and

busses.

Tip 6: Skip the queues

Once in the terminal, it is worth talking to a member of the staff near the check-in

line, as they can normally send you down to a disabled or priority passenger line to

check in, which is less stressful.

Top Advice for Surviving Plane Travel With Your Autistic Child

If you are at an airport like Manchester with the wristband, then you can fast track

through security using the special assistance line. Otherwise, make use of the

disabled line and just explain to the person manning the entrance.

Top Advice for Surviving Plane Travel With Your Autistic Child

Tip 7: Book a lounge or hotel

If you can afford it, book an airport lounge. It is cheaper to book online in advance.

You may just need this amazing oasis in the middle of a chaotic airport to help calm

your child before or between flights. They are quiet, with free food and drink, Wi-Fi,

comfy chairs, and close-by bathrooms.

If you have a very long wait between connecting flights, it is worth looking into

booking a hotel room. Some hotels are actually attached to the airport, and

depending on the time needed, you can book a room for a night or just for a day.

Tip 8: Board the plane rst or last

Ask for priority boarding. Speak to the staff when you check in or drop your bags off

at the airport, or even the staff at the gate where you board. At least one of these

places will help you, and you will be able to board the plane first. This way, you can

settle your child on an empty plane before crowds of people pack into the aisles. If

you are late for some reason, then board last, when everyone else is seated!

Top Advice for Surviving Plane Travel With Your Autistic Child

Tip 9: Preparing for takeo

In terms of keeping your child calm on the flight, you know him/her best. If your child

won’t sit next to a stranger or would be irritated about having to continually get up,

then maybe consider the window seat. If you know your child would be better getting

up to walk around or would frequently need to use the lavatory, then consider an

aisle seat. Take comfort items and anything you may need on board with you. For

instance, we take a ‘taggy’ blanket, a favorite soft toy, an iPad, stretchy elastic, and

ear defenders. We make sure to get a drink and food at the airport to take on the

plane, too. Talk to the cabin staff, since they are normally very understanding and will

make allowances for your child, such as leaving head phones or ear defenders on

for take-off and landing. Always sit next to your child, and be prepared to spend the

whole flight keeping him/her calm!

I take little cards with me I’ve printed myself which simply state: “My child has autism

and sensory processing difficulties. He does not mean to be rude but may not

answer when spoken to. He doesn’t deal well with queues or crowds of people. He is

not being naughty but sometimes everything gets too much! Thank you for your

patience.” I only use these if needed, as generally most people are incredibly

understanding.

Tip 10: Look after yourself!

Top Advice for Surviving Plane Travel With Your Autistic Child

Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before, make sure you have eaten prior

to the flight, and try to be as prepared as you can. Obviously, sometimes things can

be out of your control. You may not get to rest on the flight and it can be hard work,

but it is a necessary part of traveling. After all, missing out on the many adventures

you can have would be such a shame.

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This article was featured in

Issue 63 – Keeping Our Kids Safe

Top Advice for Surviving Plane Travel With Your Autistic Child