Autistic first flight

[Crazygrandma]

Can anyone recommend a book, leaflet etc that would help me prepare my 6yr old grandson who is autistic and has ADHD for his first flight?

I believe some airlines and airports do a 'look around a plane' / fear of flying courses / day visits. I would have thought that is much better than a book - a plane is such a different environment.

There are a number of videos on YouTube you can explore. If you just type Autism Flying into YT's search bar, you can scroll through the various videos to see which ones appear most helpful.

My youngest (11) does absolutely fine on short flights. I haven't done long-haul with him because I can't even handle long-haul myself anymore. But the Nintendo Switch and phone games help keep DS occupied. The popping ears are problematic so I try and be as prepared as possible for that- not much to be done about it, unfortunately.

I just popped in here to say don't underestimate the airport. I enjoy flying. I love the turbulence. The airport is overwhelming in so many ways
Also
Playing cards

I have two autistic children. One hates the airport but is fine on the plane but the other is the opposite.

Wear sun flower lanyards

What is his understanding level like? The book I used was more toddler level fot when the kids were little. Youtube is often good and many airports their own social stories like this one https://www.newcastleairport.com/media/1483/my-airport-journey.pdf

Don't have any resources to recommend, but just wanted to say that going through airports with my autistic DC has actually been really positive. We used sunflower lanyards and almost every time we joined a line, the airport staff would m9ve us to ghe front. You still have a wait after security, but at least you can move around and find a quiet space. Maybe look up if there's anything at the airport your flying from, some have sensory rooms or dedicated quiet space.

My daughter is fine with the flight but very much not fine with the airport. The constant announcements are really difficult. Even if he doesn't usually use them, some ear defenders would be a good thing to have with you.

I'd honestly watch some youtube videos - I found loads when I was prepping her for a flight after covid (as she had forgotten all about flying in the gap). Particularly if you can find a video of the airport you'll actually be using.

Thank you for your help. I’ll look on you tube and see what I can find. The Newcastle airport social story looks useful too.

some airport spotting cards / book. I will try to link

These! https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9781409507307/Things-Spot-Airport-Usborne-Spotters-1409507300/plp

Tablet with downloaded games and shows and back back with colour books pens etc .
We where the same last year and our little girl was fine .
We also showed you ruble videos of airports and planes inside in the weeks before .

Oh also... a deck of Uno cards! I take them with us on flights, waits for appointments, etc. Anywhere a bit unsettling with some sitting around, Uno saves the day. My ASD son never tires of multiple games of Uno.

I would also say that for DD it's the airport rather than the flight. She loves take off and landing especially the "big bump". She finds the departure lounge a bit overwhelming so we have to try and find somewhere a bit quieter. I have though of paying for the lounge but they are quite expensive.

If it's Newcastle you're flying from make sure to get special assistance. I found that they were very good with DD. Took us to the manual passport checking desk rather than the gates and let us skip the huge queue at arrivals. It's also not quite so big. She finds Edinburgh more stressful.

Take a tablet and headphones and download stuff for him to watch. DD does get a bit bored and as she has no concept of time was asking all through the flight if we were there yet.

The longest flight I've taken her on so far is just over 3 hours.

If you have an early flight and are not too far from the airport it might be worth checking if they do hold luggage check in the evening before the flight. It's just one less hassle to think about.

Again thank you for your suggestions. I’ll definitely try some of them.