State: CA
Country: USA
Member since: Dec 29, 2007
Last logged in: Dec 01, 2008
I am the dad of my 4 y/o daughter Liv. She was dx in August of 07. Liv is my only child. If you stop by my page leave me a post below. God Speed to you all.
I am in my mid 30's recently divorced (unrelated to autism & pre-regression). Liv & I enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. This summer I hope to take her camping with me. BTW, I am the worst speller of all time please take a laugh at how I spell ;)
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by KevinLivsDad on 04.09.08 - public - 117 visits
Do you know if there are special things you can do in working with TSA & the airlines?
For example, going through the security gates with my child rather than separately.
Communicating her fear of being touched by others. Taking off her shoes etc.
Traveling with rice milk or other foods due to allergies, special diets.
Is there a special needs bill of rights when traveling or any info on this topic?
For example, going through the security gates with my child rather than seperately
Comments(8)
4muskateers
Posted on Wed, 9 Apr 2008
Might also be a good time to make up some cards like Julian's...with your cell phones on them for the trip...they are great help...your can have them made up at vistaprint.com...very reasonable. and come in 7 days (this is extra of course).
KevinLivsDad
Posted on Wed, 9 Apr 2008
Thx all some good ideas, I was just talking to my parents & they where talking about a fam vacation together. Nothing concrete at the moment
shannonj
Posted on Wed, 9 Apr 2008
I wonder if you could purchase rice milk on the other side of the security gate. Many airports have Starbucks or other coffee shops that might serve rice milk as an option....seems a pain to have to check for, but might be worth it....I would also have your daughter and you both wear a t-shirt or button or something that will alert others that this is a child with autism. Most people will be very accomodating without you having to even ask. Be sure to pack extra clothes in your carry on....extra food, extra toys or bribes---maybe even something novel that she hasn't seen before. We always carry our portable DVD player with a stack of DVDs (don't forget to charge it!)....and it has saved us, not just in the plane, but also at the gate when the flight is delayed. Also, think ahead to any sensory issues that she might experience---if noise bothers her, have a headset, or a hood.....if lights bother her, have sunglasses...etc. I usually like to ask for the very back seats on the plane because it is close to a bathroom and noisier---a bonus for us because my son talks so loud and laughs so loud that it usually disturbs people.....If it is nighttime, consider letting her travel in her jammies if that will make her more comfortable and more able to settle down. I would pack a small pillow and blanket too---or you can ask the flight attendant to make sure and save them for you before you board. Also, let your flight attendant know when you board about your daughter's issues so that she can be aware and available if needed (you might consider typing something up that you can just hand to the flight attendant so that you don't have to share about Liv's issues in front of her.) Good luck and let us know how it goes!
carmel66
Posted on Wed, 9 Apr 2008
Make sure you have much more time than you possibly need. Call the airline in advance for their suggestions. Talk to the TSA agent that examines your ticket and explain - bring a stroller, because that will sometimes get you in the wheelchair line (you can also say she needs it to control anxiety - unless she is always trying to get out of it hee hee). We travel a lot with our two kids - one is three and typically three (crazy/scared/bossy) other is ASD but not afraid. We typically encounter WONDERFUL TSA people - so kind with our kids and helpful and try to accomodate as much a they can. Frequently they aren't checking for liquids as much - several times in our last two travels I've forgotten about the sippy cups of water in their backpacks and they don't care. But if you need the soy milk I'm not sure how to handle. Be kind to the agents and the people around you - and you will get it back tenfold. Our daughter does not like to be away from us - so there is an agent on the other side of the metal detector and i urge (read:push) my DD through and he/she holds her there and I walk through. two seconds - that's all it takes. Just make sure - nobody has metal anywhere and that everyone is paying attention when the pass off is happening. That way you don't have to go through it again. Good luck - and have fun. Traveling (getting there) is the hardest part and then you have fun.
4muskateers
Posted on Wed, 9 Apr 2008
4 years ago when we flew to Florida, we each had to go through separately. Julian was afraid at first, but they talked him through every step and had him sit right next to me...I beep everytime we go through...I wear a gold braclet my mama gave me a few months before she was killed...I have never removed it...can't now I gained 60 lbs since then and the thing just won't buge...so I gave up...but at the airport they were understanding...also Julian's ticket read special accomidations required...Like they said already, just call in advance...oh...we found that if we flew in the wee morning hours...there are less people, and oh sooooo much less stress.
mommyof3gr8boys
Posted on Wed, 9 Apr 2008
I dont know anything about this but would be very interested in knowing what you find out and how your travels go... We might be taking a flight to California next year... I am very concerned about how that will go with 3 kids...lol
tabaithasteward
Posted on Tue, 8 Apr 2008
You might want to call the airline first to tell them your needs and I think you can bring in food and drinks as long as its not opened. But I'd call just to make sure its been awhile since I took an airplane ride with a little one.
ppdnos1mom
Posted on Tue, 8 Apr 2008
I don't know if there is anything specific you can do with the TSA but we just flew with Jameson (2) and they did not say anything about me carrying him through security gate and I had two cups of soy milk - they just wanted it out in one of those containers they provide which was no problem. Fortunately we got through security without having to be wanded or anything like that so I did not have to deal with him having to be touched by anyone although I would just flat out tell them of his anxiety. I don't know how much that helps but I wish you the best in your travels!!
