Traveling/flying with an autistic child

I would have posted this in the special needs boards, but not a lot of people seem to be active on there. I have a 6 year old daughter and she has autism. I haven't traveled with her on a plane since she was 14 months old (this was prior to her diagnosis) and now I'm concerned about having her on a plane. Not too sure how she will react.. Does anybody know any links or have any helpful tips/advice experience traveling with a special needs child? I will be bringing an ipod for her to watch movies, some crayons and coloring books, a couple of picture books and some of her favorite toys. I'm also going to call the airline and make them aware of her needs and see if they can put us on the plane last and take us off first. Just hoping this all runs smoothly!

I fly with my kids all the time, although my son isn't special needs, he is almost six. I would show her lots of films and read lots of books about travelling, let her knoe exactly what she should expect. If you are travelling with children the airlines do usually let you board in advance, but not get off in advance. We always wait for the plane to empty before getting off the plane, we like to watch everyone going. Good luck!

I just recently took my daughter on a plane for the first time.  She is also 6, and has ASD.

She is very visual, so I googled pictures of airplanes, and airports, to give her a general idea.  We did a lot of talking and role-play before the trip. With her, I was more worried about how she would react going through security and that sort of thing than the actual plane trip, but it was a short flight (Dublin to Paris).  She tends to be a highly anxious child, so I got a short rerm prescription for Diazepam (just in case) but I ended up not even needing it.  I had her Nintendo DS and some coloring books and that sort of thing, but, to be honest, she was more fascinated that she could see the clouds out the window!

Obviously, you know your child best, but, generally speaking I think the key with a child with ASD is that they are prepared well in advance in whatever way suits them, whether it be a picture schedule, social story, etc.

If you would like, I could move this back to the special needs boards.  I know there are a couple of other parents of children with ASD, but they might feel more comfortable replying in the SN board.  Let me know

I just recently took my daughter on a plane for the first time.  She is also 6, and has ASD.

She is very visual, so I googled pictures of airplanes, and airports, to give her a general idea.  We did a lot of talking and role-play before the trip. With her, I was more worried about how she would react going through security and that sort of thing than the actual plane trip, but it was a short flight (Dublin to Paris).  She tends to be a highly anxious child, so I got a short rerm prescription for Diazepam (just in case) but I ended up not even needing it.  I had her Nintendo DS and some coloring books and that sort of thing, but, to be honest, she was more fascinated that she could see the clouds out the window!

Obviously, you know your child best, but, generally speaking I think the key with a child with ASD is that they are prepared well in advance in whatever way suits them, whether it be a picture schedule, social story, etc.

If you would like, I could move this back to the special needs boards.  I know there are a couple of other parents of children with ASD, but they might feel more comfortable replying in the SN board.  Let me know

Hey Petunia.. Yeah if you don't mind moving it and you think it will get a few more responses then go for it

Hey Petunia.. Yeah if you don't mind moving it and you think it will get a few more responses then go for it

You also might want to PM one of our members who doesn't get on here very often anymore. I'll send you her details now.

You also might want to PM one of our members who doesn't get on here very often anymore. I'll send you her details now.

Thanks Caryn, I'll make sure to pm her