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, scroll down to find the menu "Flying and Airport Help". There you can click on "Handicapped/Disabled Help," where you'll find contact information etc. 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?
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.
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.
This tells about whole body imaging and pat-downs. I must admit I'm nervous about getting my kids to understand and comply with the procedures.
A 6 year old had to go through a pat-down. This has gotten media attention, and you can watch the procedure on youtube. The officer was calm and friendly and just following procedure, but you've got to wonder if this really necessary. There must be a better way.
http://www.kare11.com/news/article/919137/396/Parents-upset- after-TSA-frisks-6-year-old-daughter -
Children with autism got to practice flying at Philadelphia Intl. airport. Did the whole security rigmarole and everything, just didn't take off.[QUOTE=NorwayMom]
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.
[/QUOTE]
Tested it out this year and I was very pleased.
The problem this year was a 10+ hour layover in Iceland. We ordered our tickets online, and with so many dates and price classes to choose from, we didn't notice that the flight we chose was an evening flight.
We initially decided to make the best of it and see a little of Iceland, but realized it would be idiotic on too little sleep. We tried to switch to the morning flight, but check-in in the United States didn't even have access to the reservation system - if you ever are in a similar situation, call ahead instead of trying to take care of it at the airport.
The morning flight turned out to be full, but the layover went okay thanks to a tax-free store that sold Lego sets.
To those of you who will be travelling this summer, have a pleasant trip!
The TSA now has a hotline for travellers with disabilities. Call at least 72 hours before your flight.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/disabilityandmedicaln eeds/tsa_cares.shtm
Planning an overseas trip:
http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/2011/08/internationa l-travel-with-autistic.html
Logan airport is doing a practice day for kids with autism. I'm glad the concept is spreading!
Dublin airport has a guide for planning air travel with a person who has autism.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!
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.
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
Airplane seat trays