Tips for flight with Autistic 3 year old

[TipsPlease1]

I'm flying tomorrow with my son who is 3 years old and autistic. He's never been on a flight and I'm traveling alone with him. Our flight is now early AM* *(I chose a decent time the flight got moved) and I'm a bit worried about how he is going to cope.

Will security be ok with him coming through with me or will they hold his hand whilst I go through so he can then follow.

Should I get the airline staff to warn other travellers he may be loud.

He's non verbal and can sometimes get over excited by fast moving things (take off etc). He might cry or protest. The flight is only 1.5 hours but I'm just not sure how to manage everything without the world judging.

I think I'll ask to board last too as he loves running. So might burn off some energy before have to sit down.

Notify the airline staff of his additional needs but I wouldn’t ask them to warn other travellers he may be loud. If they think it’s necessary, they’ll do that anyway once you’ve notified them.
Sit him next to he window (if possible) but ask airline staff if you can have the window blind pulled down for take off and landing. Once you’re in the air, you could try lifting it - he might be enchanted by the clouds passing by the window (my dc was!).
Tell him that his items will have to be scanned too. Hearing that his favourite toy is going on an adventure ahead of time may help when it comes to parting ways at the scanner.
I think he will have to walk through the metal detector individually - Heathrow was pretty strict on this when we flew in April.
Have you tried him with calm gummies www.amazon.co.uk/Magnesium-Sublingual-Chewable-Children-Health4All/dp/B098KG96YQ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=kids%2Bcalm&qid=1690352176&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1 - read the reviews as many are written by parents of autistic children.

Do you have a sunflower lanyard?

Ask for help. They'll let you skip queues at security, check in (if you need to), you can get on the plane early if that's easier. We have always found airport staff really helpful with our autistic DC.

Sometimes there is a sensory room, or a quiet room, where you can wait instead of the main concourse, depending on the airport. Usually empty!

Don't ask the airline to warn other travellers. Keep him as calm as you can and apologise with VERY brief explanation "sorry, autistic, can't help it" if you need to, but don't stress about it. Other passengers might be annoyed, but it's a short flight and you won't see them again. Most people are understanding enough to not be horrible to your face as long as you're trying to keep the disruption minimal.

yes to sunflower lanyard. Just go to the Special assistance desk and ask for one. It alerts staff he (and you) may need support. Sometimes you get taken out of line and put on the plane more quickly for example. We always travel with one for DS1.

Also- see if you can get these ... https://www.earplanes.com/ I get mine from Amazon but there is no time if you fly tomorrow. Somne pharmacies have them. They help regulate the pressure on the descent and IME they REALLY help. My Ds panics badly with the ear pressure and these have helped out of sight. I wondered if they were a placebo really but we have just returned from Greece and we lost them and the descent was dreadful and he was in alot of pain. If you can't get them then have loads of chewy sweets for the descent as they help also.

Also, a plane trip is not the time to limit whatever it is he is fascinated by.... stock up on his favourite toys. I also the first time I travelled with DS as a toddler (to Australia- hell!) I bought 5-6 new toys and wrapped them up and hid them in my carry on. Whenever things started to look a bit hairy in terms of meltdowns I brought one out and it distracted him while he open it up and then played with something new.

Good luck.

ooh I am going to check out those calm gummies... thanks!

Huh?! My reply was immediately hidden? That's so weird. I was just responding to a pp!

I'll ask for a lanyard. The airline and airport (small local one) have both been notified and I'm to present to the special assistant desk at the airport after check-in I believe.

He won't do sweets but I do have ear defenders. I wonder if they might help? He usually won't wear them as he is hyposensitive and loves noise etc.

I'm taking breakfast for him for the plane and some colouring etc. He isn't really attached to toys but I will take a few with me for him to hold etc. I also have downloaded a few programs but he isn't usually fussed about sound on them. I just hope they load.

and now unhidden. Hmm.

anyway just ordered the items suggested by @Fivemoreminutes1 for DS1 whose sleep is dreadful. Thanks for the suggestion.