Tips for Flying with an Autistic Child

Tips for flying with an autistic child. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, you may be planning to fly with your child. These tips can help the experience go more smoothly.

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Tips for flying with an autistic child

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Prepare your child in advance (one of the most important tips for flying with an autistic child)

The more you can prepare your child for flying in advance, the better off you will be.

Some ideas?

Set up situations you will encounter during your travels at home. Walk your child through going to the airport, waiting online to check a bag, getting comfy in your seat and doing an activity or going to sleep – all from the comfort of your home.

Use the items you will bring with you in advance. Noise cancelling headphones can be a fantastic tool for helping your child fly comfortably. Get him or her used to putting them on, and keeping them on, during the weeks/months leading up to your trip. Similarly, if your child will be wearing a backpack, get him or her used to wearing it for periods of time at home before your trip.

Build up to longer trips

If at all possible, you and your child will greatly benefit from starting out with short haul flights before building up to traveling longer distances.

Try to get your child used to shorter flights before jumping on a long haul flight.

Bring favorite items from home

Make a list of your child’s 3-5 favorite items. If you can fit them in your carry-on, pack them. They will help reassure your child during the flight and make the whole experience go more smoothly.

Bring snacks

What are some of your child’s favorite healthy snacks? Having snacks on hand will keep grumpiness at bay by keeping blood sugar levels even. It is helpful to have your own snacks on the plane so you don’t have to worry about waiting for the airplane staff to respond to your child’s needs if he or she is in need of a snack in a hurry.

I would avoid sugary snacks that will hype your child up rather than help them relax. Make sure you request water on the plane as well so that your child remains hydrated. Staying hydrated can help avoid agitation too.

Leave extra time for travel

You will want to achieve the delicate balance between getting to the airport early enough to move through security with ease while avoiding having so much time at the airport that your child gets agitated before you board the plane.

Plan roles in advance

Run through what each person will do the day of the flight at home, in advance.

Role play with your child and give them a little “job” for the day of the flight. Maybe they need to carry snacks for the family or they are responsible for keeping track of their stuffed animal before, during and after the flight.

Give your child a special role to play during the travel day so that they know what they need to do and are occupied during the day.

Travel more often

The best way to make the whole experience of flying easier with your autistic child is to fly more often. Experience will help to prepare you and your child for smoother flying experiences.

Engage your child in simple and fun activities

Help manage the time in the airplane by planning some fun activities for your child.

You could also prepare a miniature sensory box.

Prepare for comfort

You know your child best. Is he or she sensitive to certain fabrics? How does he or she sleep most easily? Plan out what your child will wear for maximum comfort based on their specific preferences.

Ask for help

Some airlines offer special assistance to families of children with special needs. It is worth calling the airline ahead of time to see what help they can offer to you to help your travels go more smoothly.

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Worldschooling (Teaching Your Children Through Real World Travel)

More Autism Resources

The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
Autism Adapted Books Bundle – a collection of 10 adapted books that will help you build communication skills while teaching more than 120 vocabulary words.
Autism Social Stories Bundle – a collection of printable social stories to help your little learners work on their social skills.
Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!