10 problems with autism and flying
Written on 13th Feb 2014 by Sylvia Lowery
I was speaking to a friend who told me about a young man who went to the middle east last year on as part of a group visit. This young man had autism and as he waited in the long queue he became very anxious. This caused this young man to sweat a lot. Sadly this made the airport staff suspicious and they wanted to interview him. Eventually the tour guide managed to explain and the man was allowed on the plane. But it took this young man a number of hours to recover from the experience.
1. New situations make individuals with autism more anxious.
2. These signs of anxiety are seen as evidence of guilt.
3. Sweating, shaking , avoiding eye contact are all seen as suspect.
4. When questioned the stress has reached such a point that it’s impossible for the person with autism to give clear answers.
5. Staff have a poor understanding of autism which leads to them jumping to wrong conclusion.
6. A meltdown can be seen as aggressive behaviour and may lead to arrest.
7. If a physical search is done the individual with autism may find the physical contact torture. Alex hates physical contact.
8. Airport staff should be given training in autism so that they understand the behaviours and can show more understanding.
9. Forward planning is really important. Try to arrange a visit to the airport before you are actually due to go on the flight.
10. Airports do provide a tracking system where individuals with autism can be allowed to get through security quickly and their difficulties are logged and understood.
The NAS provide an information sheet for airline staff and advice on planning a holiday. Their helpline is 0808 800 4104.
If you want travel insurance through the NAS phone 01603 828 201.
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I like the idea of fast track for individuals to get through queues quickly. also I think it is a good idea to have some kind of ID card/letter explaining that an individuals has autism, this can be given to staff anywhere. they can read it, on it could be a brief description of the symptoms a person could have in a situation they are in. this could just be a simple typed out description on how the person with autism could behave in different places. you could plan want might happen before going and put in information that will help staff.
Is it possible to talk with airline and security officials about special handling so that there is no long wait in the line?
We are also looking into a service on our next international trip that will meet us and take us through the processes so that our son does not have to wait in line. If it works, it will be a godsend.
I am really happy to hear this. Alex and me are flying to Guernsey in April and this will be the first time Alex will have flown. We might do a post on our experience of flying and how the officials helped Alex. Would you mind telling us how being fast tracked this worked for you and your son.