Tips on flying with child with ASD & sensory issues

[JFTB1177]

We are flying in a few weeks to another state for a family reunion. I'm not worried about the baby or my 5-year-old, but I'm terrified about how my 2-year-old (the one who hasn't had a "formal" dx yet but pretty sure he's on the spectrum, if you've read my other thread) is going to handle it. He's never flown. He rocks a lot, esp when in a seat or chair, so I already know to try and get the very last seats in the plane so he won't drive the person behind us crazy. I am pretty sure he has sensory issues to sound since he is always covering his ears. What should I do for that- get headphones? Luckily it's not a long flight... it's 90 minutes, then a layover, then another 90 minutes. But dh and I are really dreading it... he can be a handful and I'm praying he doesn't have any meltdowns because he wants out of his seat, etc. We're going on Southwest so we can first dibbs on seats since we're a family with small children, right?

Any advice so this won't be the flight from hell???? lol

[KCMichigan]

I would get a seat harness if you can. There are some nice ones out there-- they are a mesh vest that can allow the child to be safe and restrained on the plane. If an emergency arises, you do not want your DC  to bolt or hide, etc. (we used one for my sensory seeking, noise fearing DD). They allow for more movement (rocking) than a traditional car seat, but really allow for a safer situation-- at least for us it was a good solution. Something else may work better.

We do use noise canceling headphones, but have used ear plugs & ear muffs before we had the headphones (they are cheaper and work fairly well). 

Chances are you will have trouble with take-off and landings when air pressure changes--- that made my DD squirm, cry, and grab her ears.You will have two up/downs. We tried to have her drink during those times to help keep her ears popping and prevent pain/noise. It also provided a good distraction. If he takes a pacifier that is the time to use it!

We also took our DDs cuddle items/safety items as well as her weighted blanket.

It was not a pleasant flight (she was two as well), but we survived and it could have been much worse!

Hope it goes well!

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by JFTB1177 

What should I do for that- get headphones?

noise cancelling headphones can be a wonderful thing.

We didn't get my DD hers until she was a lot older than that. Have you tried regular headphones for him? Sometimes having something else to listen to can help with the noise. Airplanes are freakin loud, though. I never really noticed until I traveled with DD how loud they are.

There is a book for kids called Airport that is written like a social story:

http://www.amazon.com/Byron-Barton/e/B000APOBN2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

It's wonderful for any small child. We read it a bunch of times before our trip, took it on the plan with us, and then would read it again later (because my kids seem to need to process travel).

An important part of traveling for ANY small child is making sure their ears stay clear. Something to suck on/chew during take off and landing is very important, and if any of your kids are even slightly stuffed up, I'd give them a decongestant right before travel.

How does your guy do with escalators? My DD has a hard time with them (couldn't do them at all for many years) so moving around the airport was a huge issue. She also couldn't cope with moving sidewalks. She does better in the airplane than moving around the airport.

Are you getting a seat for the baby, too? Or traveling with 5 seats?

Another option, if you can't get the back row, is having your family on one side of the plane - DH and quirky 2 year old together, and you and baby behind. May be 5 year old across the isle from you.

Like this:

XX

XX

instead of like this:

XX  XX

There are just 4 people in our family and we prefer traveling on the same side of the plan in rows together than being in a long row across an isle. And my DD with Asperger's does better sitting with dad than with me. He knows a lot about plans and can just sit there and talk to her a lot and explain things, and she does fine.

Also, because your kids will have you outnumbered, I, personally, don't think there's anything wrong with an electronic toy (or even a portable DVD player) for your 5 year old.  Would your 2 year old watch a movie for 90 minutes with headphones? May be you could sit them together for most of the flight with headphones plugged into the same thing, and you sit behind them? (just a thought)

One thing that I didn't realize before we flew with little kids is that it is very difficult to get things in and out of the bag to keep them amused, and there's not much room to sit any thing when it is out.

later

Linda

[kathymuggle]

I flew with my sister and her 6 yr old with severe ASD.  It was awful- but maybe some things I learned could help you?

Her Ds likes to throw things - and the toys he brought became missiles into other seats.  One women got hit on the head!  I would only bring soft toys.

I would try and get bulkhead seating  with him in the front, and you (or DH) and another sibling behind.  That way if he rocks he will be bugging you.  There will be little space to throw things  as it is bulkhead.

Bring lots of food - airplane food is not so great for picky eaters.  

He is only 2 so I assume he is in a stroller?  I would keep it with me till the last minute.

My nephew seems to be prone to sickness, and flying is awful for making people sick.  Drink lots and lots of water and consider getting purrell or disinfectant wipes  - i do not use them at home, I do use them at the airport.

Lastly, does he have any tendancy to get aggressive?  I actually wish I had a pillow with me for the flight - as my nephew is aggressive, and I could have used the pillow to block physical aggression. 

Truly, though, I think proper seating would have helped tremendously.

My sister used some sort of medication with him on the way back that made him sleepy.  I do not doubt this will be controversial but it was a GODSEND  for everyone.  I would at least consider carrying something that may make him drowsy.  Your call, and I know all ASD kids are different.

[Linda on the move]

We've had some flights that weren't a lot of fun, but we haven't had any nightmare flights (we used to fly a lot because my DH is an immigrant, and when the kids were little we traveled to Ireland once or twice a year).

I think bulk head is over-rated. You get like an inch and half of extra leg room, but there's no storage under the seat in front of you (because there isn't a seat in front of you) which makes everything you brought with you to keep the flight from being hell less accessible. The overhead bin is over packed since people have to pay for checked bags. Plus, some people really go nuts over it. I would hate for you to board the plan, see it's taken, and think that means your flight will be worse. We only made the effort to sit in it once, and then decided it was over rated.

When you go onto the plan, just make sure you don't get the exit row because they will make you move. That's really the only part on the plan I would say avoid. Other than that, the seats are remarkably similar.

Also, when the "seat belt" light goes off, it's OK to take your kids for a walk in the aisle. There's no place to go, and if they are trying to do a beverage service you can move about 5 feet, but it might be better than staying strapped down for the whole flight.

[Emmeline II]

Here are some ear muffs.

Peltor Kid Ear muff - Great Child Earmuffs

I would also consider a portable DVD player and have a DVD "book" with lots of choices, though players may take USBs now. You may want to have more than one DVD play if possible as sharing may not work well.

You could also looking into using melatonin which you can get in liquid form; though usually used to help induce sleep it can also be used to try and induce calm.

I would also take a change of clothes and diaper on the plane, and suggest not giving juice (don't ask ). I don't think you can take food that isn't bought after you pass through security.

[JFTB1177]

Wow so many great suggestions!!!!! Thanks ladies!!!!!! :) :)

Def gonna take a DVD player and going to try and get the headphones or earmuffs. Is using melatonin safe?? How much would you give a 28 month old?

No seat for the baby, he'll be on my lap... he does ok with escalators as long as he is holding our hand, but I don't think he would do well with the moving sidewalks.

Are noise- canceling headphones expensive?

[beachcomber]

Yes, using melatonin is safe but it won't guarantee to make your child sleepy, per se.  If you want to keep him a bit on the groggy side, you could try children's Gravol. Also good in case of air-sickness.

Bring along his favorite toys and food snacks. If he has a special blanket or stuffy, definitely bring it. I'd go with either bulkhead or back row seating and make sure you get seated with the first intake.

And, honestly, don't worry about the other passengers. They can go hang.

[melissa17s]

This is just a flying with kids tip and not asd/sensory necessarily and it may not be popular here as a solution, but it is something we do when we are flying... take a dose of bendryl.  I really helps with the pressure during take off and landing.  I take it and I give it to the kids.  We take the minimal amount, but it makes a huge difference (I used to go for hours with pressure problems after flying before we learned this fix).  It makes me sleepy, and the kids, too.  Also, for motion sickness or dizziness, tilt the head horizontal, and it helps with the inner ear and balance.  DH gets flight sick, and he usually spends most of the flight with his head tilted to avoid sickness.    

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by melissa17s 

This is just a flying with kids tip and not asd/sensory necessarily and it may not be popular here as a solution, but it is something we do when we are flying... take a dose of bendryl.  I really helps with the pressure during take off and landing.  I take it and I give it to the kids.   

just check it out on your child before the flight. while it makes *most* people sleepy, it makes some kids hyper.

We've done Bendryl on some flights but not on others, and it can work well.

[KCMichigan]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move 

just check it out on your child before the flight. while it makes *most* people sleepy, it makes some kids hyper.

YES!!! One of my DDs can not take Benedryl w/o bouncing off the walls!! It does not make her sleep and actually her sensory stuff goes into overdrive. She is normally a fairly quiet girl that is not very physical, but Benedryl makes her crazy hyper and ramps up SPD symptoms!

She does get motion sick too (we were told this is common w/ SPD)-- we have had luck with SeaBands in the car, have not tried them in a plane yet.

[mrs joe bubby]

Originally Posted by JFTB1177 

We're going on Southwest so we can first dibbs on seats since we're a family with small children, right?

No, Southwest did away with priority boarding for family w/ kids awhile ago.

This is their boarding policy now. (From their website..not sure if we are allowed to link to other sites)

Customers board the plane based on boarding group (A, B, or C) and number (1-60). Boarding positions are assigned when you check in and will be displayed on your boarding pass.

General boarding starts with Business Select customers, who are guaranteed positions at the front of the A Group, followed by Rapid Rewards A-List Members and the remaining Customers in the A Group,  families with children under age 5, then groups B and C. Learn more about our boarding process.

We have an open seating policy, so feel free to sit in any available seat when you get onboard.<quote> </quote>? 

So, "Family Boarding" is between the A and B groups unless you check in early enough to get A.

(Used to fly a lot....)

[LynnS6]

Sensory ideas:

Bring chew toys/crunchy snacks

Let him chew the ice in the cups, if he will

Have him walk through the airport carrying a heavy backpack (heavy for a 2 year old) before the flight. (So, I'd use the stroller up to the gate, then have your husband walk him around with the backpack -- put a 'leash' on the backpack to keep him from bolting)

When you load, have him sit with the backpack on his lap for as long as they'll allow (usually until right before take off)

The Peltor ear protectors are great

Bring his carseat on with you, if it's FAA approved -- having a familiar seat to sit in might help him a lot.

Personally, I'd call Southwest and tell them you're traveling with a child with autism (they don't need to know that he hasn't been formally diagnosed yet), and ask if there is something they can do to help with boarding.

[JFTB1177]

Originally Posted by LynnS6 

Personally, I'd call Southwest and tell them you're traveling with a child with autism (they don't need to know that he hasn't been formally diagnosed yet), and ask if there is something they can do to help with boarding.

Thanks, I'm gonna do this!!

[Linda on the move]

You can also make sure you know the exact minute that you can get your boarding passes on line and then just get them. My DH does it when we fly and we always get in the first group.

[JFTB1177]

Hey guys, so the trip was a nightmare... he completely wigged out on the plane and in the airport, had a screaming tantrum, it was awful. I brought a bag full of all the diff things (candy to suck on, toys, movies, etc) and they helped only a bit. The flight home was okay b/c he passed out after screaming so much in the first airport and slept that entire flight. He was in great spirits on the connecting flight coming home (have no idea why, maybe b/c it was at night???). But the flight TO our destination was HORRIBLE!!!!! :( Please tell me it isn't always going to be this way!

ETA: Thanks for the advice about preboarding, we were able to do that which helped, and we got the very back seats!