Sanity tips for flying with ADHD child

[Tiredallthetimeneedsleep]

With a 9 year old. Already stress about the airport and plane journey, ( what if we die?) god forbid there's any delays. Think security won't be a stress freeze affair 😔. I'm sure it will be ok when we get there, but any tips/ tricks would nd appreciated. Thanks

Do you have an access card and assistance for the airport as they can both be really helpful?

Will they watch screens? If so just have completely free access to screens of any kind they want. Use any waiting time to do "heavy work" such as getting them to pretend to push down walls, squats/sitting against a wall. Try to create a mini visual schedule so they know what to expect. Work on your own anxiety levels if you're anxious they will be too

Ho what's an access card and how do I get one please? We are flying from Manchester - any ideas on how to apply for assistance? Thanks

Have spent small fortune on portable dvd player - hopefully can use in car / airport/ plane and help getting to sleep on an evening on holiday. Also has tablet and headphones. Think will pack snacks and water and possibly the Calpol

If you’re flying from Manchester register with them for special assistance. You’ll be given a sunflower lanyard which allows you to fastrack through security etc and also acts as a sign for security staff to take care eg if he needs to be patted down. They also have two quiet rooms for lanyard holders while you wait for your flight.

If you don’t have time to register, go to the special assistance desk at your terminal and they’ll sort it out for you.

You can also register with your airline or holiday company who will then make sure you can get on the plane first, or last, depending on what suits him best.

I’ve found airport staff are very good at helping you travel with an invisible disability, taking as much stress out of the process as possible.

How long is the flight? Longer flights have TVs so that will be something new to watch. You can download shows on netflix, Disney+, iPlayer etc.

I've never found security too bad with mine (but I don't know what your little one is like). Mine like watching the security process.

If there's a delay you can just wander around the airport, maybe do some shopping or get something to eat, watch the planes.

I'd try and reign in your own anxiety as kids do pick up on it.

How long is the flight? I have flown long haul and short haul many times with 2 kids with ADHD. It can be painful (especially overnight flights when they do not sleep).

When in the terminal I make them walk about a lot. They have unlimited screens and snacks during the journey.
But they still get antsy from lack of movement so that's what I encourage whenever possible.

For long haul I try to get the last row of seats so DS2's regular standing up is less disturbing.

Call your airline and ask for special assistance. Use a sunflower lanyard which is available from the special assistance desk at the airport, online or from the supermarket information desk. Ask the airline if you can preboard the plane and pre-book seats. Manage his expectations. There will always be some queuing, we might have to remove shoes at security, there are rules to follow at security etc . Talk about the journey through the airport so there are no surprises. Allow extra time and try not to get stressed yourself. Explain he will need to wear the seat belt when instructed to do so. Look at YouTube videos of the plane of he's interested. It's never as bad as you imagine, honestly,

I've never found it that bad. Watching screens (just take an ipad) on the plane or whilst waiting at gate. Why not put the films on the ipad rather than take portable dvd player?

My NT and ADHD child get the same treatment when we travel.

Ive certainly never registered for assistance.

You just need to enforce boundaries. At the airport walk walk walk, wear them out basically then once boarded sit down, strap in and you stay seated unless using the toilet (only applicable for longer flights!) non negotiable on the seat belt. Tablet, DVD or inflight entertainment system, a few snacks in your bag but don't pander, rules are rules just like in the car

I’d also say make it as easy as possible on yourself. Get to the airport with plenty of time, have things in your bag in case of delays - I tucked away a new lego set for my DS along with an airport treasure hunt activity and a couple of fidget toys. When my DS is struggling he needs something to do with his hands so screens alone aren’t helpful.

In terms of special assistance, it’s offered for a reason so feel no guilt about using it. Airports are heavy with potential for sensory overload, and waiting in a long queue watching your child become increasingly heightened isn’t good for your stress levels, never mind his. Once through security a cold drink through a straw can be good for self regulation, along with crunchy food - both engage different senses and help settle the nervous system.

How bad is the ADHD? 3 of mine have ADHD, 2 could quite happily read, draw, watch a film, eat snacks, play endless games of box or noughts and crosses. 1 needs to move a lot and finds it harder to sit still. We walk the airport a lot and get to the gate not too early and make sure we see the last people on the plane so less time on the plane/queuing. Always have a surprise book and magazine to bring out. Screens make him a bit more giddy so tend to avoid.

I found that a small selection of "novelty" things were useful on flights. Be it a chocolate bar or packet of crisps they'd never tried, some sort of mini gadget/ keyring toy, say a mini pen with exchangeable nibs or something similar, or a magazine with games, travel version of UNO, this sort of thing.
I'd get a couple of these things to break up screen time and get them out at appropriate intervals throughout the flight.

For a 3 hour flight maybe 1 new snack, 1 mini fiddly toy, and some sort of card game/ magazine of games that will last both flights.
I always took pens and paper for things like naughts and crosses/ hangman too .

My son has ADHD and we fly a lot. Including long haul travel. My tips are: you need tons of differing snacks and sandwiches etc, an iPad with loads of games and loads and loads of Netflix downloads on there. He will flit from thing to thing every few mins. He also has a kindle and a Nintendo switch. Most importantly, bring charging cables to plug in as well a a big charging block.

Thanks. Do they have quiet rooms at T3?

Yes, it was T3 I flew from - there’s an open area that’s tucked round a corner so is a bit quieter but if you move round the shopping concourse there’s also an enclosed room with a sunflower sign you can use.

Get a tablet, doesn’t have to be an iPad, prime day today so you can get an Amazon fire super cheap. Load it up with downloads from Disney and Netflix. Plus loads of games. Keeps mine entertained for hours. She’s one who needs to switch from one thing to the next repeatedly, can’t sit through a full film for example but she’ll watch 10 mins of one then 10 mins of another. Tablet makes it much easier as she can switch herself and you haven’t got to carry a million dvds around