Travelling With A Child With Autism: Tips For A Smoother Flight

One of the biggest and most transformational inventions of the 20th Century was the introduction of air travel with the first flight flown successfully in 1903 by the Wright brothers. We have come a long way since then and in the last 119 years; it has become as commonplace as boarding a bus to Tucson or a train to San Diego. The thrill, the romance, and the excitement of boarding a flight remain vivid for most of us. However, for some on the spectrum, it can bring on stress/panic marring the experience for the individual, the co-passengers, and the crew onboard. This anxiety/stress is brought on by factors such as a change in the familiar routine, meandering unknown scenarios & considerable sensory stimulation. To ease the journey for all concerned, we have compiled some handy tips that will enhance the experience and prevent any maladaptive behaviors.

Here are some tips for a smooth take-off:

· Make your own social story. Use the time-tested social story idea to prepare the child in advance for what’s to come and what to expect. The social story (text and images) has details about the check-in and security process, the terminal, the airplane, retrieving baggage from the carousel, etc. It also has to refer to some of the sensory experiences such as the hum of the plane, the chatter of others at the terminal, the bright lights, and other normal sounds. It is advisable to study the book ever so often so that when the time comes to travel, the child has already processed the entire A to Z internally.

· Highlight it on the date calendar. A few weeks in advance, get a calendar with the travel date highlighted and visible to the child. Get them to mark each day as it comes closer to travel with a pen/marker on the calendar. This is a good way for them to process the passage the time in a definitive way.

· Carry snacks and drinks that they are familiar with. Bring snacks that they enjoy and are comfortable with along with drinks/water to keep them hydrated, satiated, and calm.

· Role-play the day of travel with the child. Simulate the experience from the time you board a cab/car to the terminal till the time you leave the arrival airport with the luggage. This will help the child if you can make the role-playing as real as possible.

· Inform the check-in staff and the gate. staff about your unique condition so that they can allow you first to board/disembark. This will ensure that you are seated with the luggage stored in the overhead bin before the other passengers are allowed to board/disembark.

·Ear popping. Get the child to suck/chew on candy / chewing gum or even a chew toy to minimize (if unable to prevent) the sensation during takeoff or landing.

·Entertainment on the plane. Keep the child entertained by carrying their favorite toys/activities that are appropriate for a plane. If the child relishes tactile stimulation, carry play dough or putty with you.

We hope these tips will ensure that the next time your family and you board a flight; you leave the airport with pleasant memories of a wonderful journey.