Airplane travel resources
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Questions about travelling with a child with autism come up frequently on this forum, so I thought I'd gather relevant online resources in one place. If a link doesn't work, try deleting any blank spaces in the address. If it still doesn't work, let me know. Airline information and contacts: One click and you'll go directly to the place on the airline's website where they have information for passengers with special needs. http://specialchildren.about.com/od/inthecommunity/qt/airlin einfo.htm Airport information and contacts: You can go to www.ifly.com, enter the airport in question, and find "services and amenities" on the menu to the left. There you will find a section for "People with special needs/Persons with disabilities" with contact information. It also tells you where the companion care bathrooms are so you can have a more peaceful trip to the bathroom with your child. Website devoted to travelling with children: Help for medical-related travel: http://www.autismescapes.org/aboutus.asp - Autism Escapes' primary purpose is to arrange air travel on private jets for families in need of medical care for their children. Articles: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editoria l_1572.shtm - Information from the Transportation Security Administration about travelling with children with disabiltiies. http://drchris.teachtown.com/2006/12/21/traveling-with-child ren-with-asd-over-the-holidays/ - tips for travelling with an autistic child. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29 569,1893554,00.html - "vacationing with autism" from Time magazine. http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1064&a=7246 - more tips from the National Autistic Society in the UK. They even have an information sheet "Guidelines for airline staff" which they may be able to e-mail you. http://www.conquerfragilex.org/summer_travel.php - article about travelling with kids who have Fragile X (they have issues similar to autistic kids) http://www.sath.org/?section=Travel%20Tips%20and%20Access%20 Information&id=2371&skip = - "Autism and airport travel safety tips" by Dennis Debbaudt. http://specialchildren.about.com/od/behaviorissues/ht/turbul ence.htm - tips for special kids from Teri Mauro. http://www.takingthekids.com/index.php/main/permalink/taking _the_kids_when_they_have_autism/ - "taking the kids when they have autism" http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/travel/14heads.html?pag ewanted=1&ref%20=travel - NY Times article about autism cruises and other travel programs, includes a section on airplane travel (thanks, toodycat). http://www.thiswayoflife.org/flying.html - written by an adult with autism Sample social stories: http://www.askaspecialist.ca.gov/archives/2006/ADHD/June_200 6.htm - a sample social story about flying. http://www.kansasasd.com/KSASD/Social_Narratives_%28Social_S tories%E2%84%A2__%26__Power_Card%29_Bank.html - Airplane trip and airports. http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/4D4CC2 0F97DD74008025736400407C2E/$File/Airport+Awareness%20book.pd f - Manchester Airport's "Airport Awareness" booklet was created in cooperation with the National Autistic Society and includes lots of pictures and information for kids (and their parents). Some of it is specific to that airport, but will be helpful no matter where you're travelling! Online videos: http://www.autismspot.com/videos/How-Travel-ASD-Style - "How to travel - ASD style" Examples of related topics on our forum: http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28008 - tip about new puffer security devices to see if you have anything concealed -- avoid bulky clothing if you want to avoid this machine! Pictures of airplane cabins, etc. See separate post under this topic Does anyone have any other resources to share? We've been on a couple flights recently in connection with our vacation, and I thought I'd pass along some of my experiences: Security: - In the Minneapolis airport, the security guard insisted on our kids saying their name after they walked through the metal detector. After that, I warned our kids to listen for questions and be prepared to answer. - Don't wear jackets with metal buttons or zippers. The metal detector beeped for our youngest son, and he had to be scanned/frisked manually. You can also take the jacket off and send it through x-ray instead of wearing it through security, but it's easier to choose something else to wear for travelling. Air sickness: - Check for a barf bag BEFORE you need it. Bathroom independence: - My eldest is getting so big that it's not comfortable or appropriate for me to join him in the bathroom. I took pictures of the bathroom, so on our next flight I can coach him on how to use the sink, operate the door, etc. I'll probably write a social story on it, but I won't need it until next year. If anyone needs the pictures, though, just send me a PM. Sensory issues: - My eldest is oversensitive to some smells, and he reacted VERY strongly to the food served on board during one of our flights. He was literally gagging, there was no escape, and he was bothered for at least 20 minutes. He was bothered a little on a subsequent flight. Gum helped a little bit, but he wanted a face mask. I might buy one for next time. I also tried to find nose plugs for swimming, but couldn't find any. To those of you who are planning to travel, I wish you a good flight.
Airport pictures: You can use www.images.google.com to find pictures of the airports you'll be visiting. Pictures of airplanes and airplane cabins: This website has a database of over a million pictures that you can search to find a good match for your needs. Just select the airline and/or category (for example "cabin views"). You can choose the display afterwards, for example "Tiny pictures - 120/page." http://www.airliners.net/search/index.main Pictures of panel above the seat: Here are a variety of panels, showing the air nozzle, call button, seatbelt indicator, etc. http://www.webstockpro.com/Tetraimages/ti0130965.Close-up-of -airplane-call-Photo/ http://flickr.com/photos/88903556@N00/71945057/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kmemav8r/2557952942/ Pictures of traytables: Here are some traytable pictures. I didn't include ones with a tv, since kids might get unrealistic expectations. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/1674131498_a8bb1865bc_m. jpg - old, folded up http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/mark9091/Admin/trayta ble.jpg - folded down http://elliottbrink.com/pages/fg.php - new, folded up (scroll down for the pic). Lavatory photos: http://www.2020hindsight.org/2000/02/04/ - lock, call-button, signs, etc. http://blog.wired.com/cars/images/2008/05/21/lav.jpg - sink http://farm1.static.flickr.com/75/157233715_2a3c2c044f.jpg?v =0 - lavatory occupied sign http://www.jaunted.com/files/3873/AirplaneBathroomSign.jpg - another occupied sign http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/2273462391_c86fc8aaa9.jp g?v=0 - lav with diaper changing table http://www.productionninja.com/images/airplanelav.jpg - sink and toilet Uniforms: http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/0 7/tsa-uniform.jpg - TSA http://www.uniformfreak.com/indexnav/indexnav1a.html - stewardess uniforms for the various airlines (ignore the historical pictures). Airport security: http://lpmpjogja.diknas.go.id/kc/a/air/airport-security-dete ctor1.jpg - metal detector http://criminal-justice-online.com/images/Airport-Security_0 3.jpg - trays for our belongings http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Airport_s ecurity_01.JPG - x-ray machine for our belongings http://ourfounder.typepad.com/leblog/WindowsLiveWriter/HowTo GetThroughAirportSecurityQuickly_6DA3/image%7B0%7D%5B5%5D_3. png - security wand http://i.cnn.net/money/popups/2006/moneymag/travel_secrets/s ecurity_lines.jpg - standing in line.
Here's a touching blog written by a mom whose son said something inappropriate at the airport. http://teenautism.com/2009/03/06/when-talking-is-a-problem/ Ya, ouch that was kinda painfull to read. Ya, my stupid mouth got me into alot of trouble over the years, nowdays not quite as much, but still, I can see the boy had good intent, and he will surly understand from here on out that sayin stuff like that isnt cool. I felt really hurt for the kid, I sure was in his shoes numerous times, tho not like that, plenty other stuff tho. Hurts when you feel you are doing/saying the correct things and just get totally shot down for it. I added this great link today: http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/4D4CC2 0F97DD74008025736400407C2E/$File/Airport+Awareness%20book.pd f - Manchester Airport's "Airport Awareness" booklet was created in cooperation with the National Autistic Society and includes lots of pictures and information for kids (and their parents). Some of it is specific to that airport, but will be helpful no matter where you're travelling!
I added this link today: Autism Escapes will serve as an Angel Network for families of children with autism. Its primary purpose is to arrange air travel on private jets for families in need of medical care for their children. Many individuals affected by autism have co-morbid medical problems, such as seizures and gastrointestinal disorders. There are a limited number of physicians and centers nationwide that have the experience and expertise in treating autism and often-related medical complexities. Many of the behavioral problems associated with autism render commercial air travel difficult, if not impossible, for many affected individuals. Our organization depends on donations from individuals, grants from foundations, fund raising activities and donations of private jet hours from individual aircraft owners and corporations. In addition, ground transportation companies, hotel and other travel providers will be supporting this organization. In the future, we hope to be able to provide respite travel opportunities for affected families. http://www.autismescapes.org/aboutus.asp The Air Carrier Access Act protects people with a disability, theoretically also autism but as this blog points out, it's not explicit enough about the challenges of accommodating people with non-physical disabilities. http://autism.change.org/blog/view/whats_missing_from_airlin e_access Airplane seat trays Tip for parents of kids who fiddle too much with the latch for the tray table. http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2009/07/16/cover-the-tray -table-latch-on-airplanes.htm Kicking the seat Tip for parents of kids who kick the seat in front of them. http://specialchildren.about.com/b/2009/07/17/put-a-sympathe tic-behind-in-front-of-your-kids-airplane-seat.htm Onboard entertainment We just took the long trip over the Atlantic again, and found that we like to use our new iPod Classic for video rather than the heavy, clumsy DVD player. We also love travelling by Icelandair. They have been installing new seats with personal touch screens in all their planes, and it keeps everyone in the family entertained with tv shows, movies and music. Bathroom use I never did get a chance to use my pictures of the airplane bathroom to teach the kids independence in the bathroom. We solved the problem by my standing outside the door so it didn't matter if they forgot to lock it, and I used the bathroom afterwards so I could ensure that everything was tidy. We did have problems when my oldest son made a dash for the bathroom after the seatbelt sign came on before landing. The stewardess was MAD. She said there's no using the bathroom 10 minutes before landing. Keep that in mind and send your kid to the bathroom early. I also decided that seats about five rows from the bathroom would be ideal. They're far enough so that the bathroom line wouldn't usually reach you, and close enough so the stewardess cart won't block the way to the bathroom for very long. Anyone else have some travel tips to share? |
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