Flying with PDA 5 year old

[MrsWeaverTheBeaver]

Hi all, we're about to book a flight, our first one with the kids and I'm getting very concerned about how DS5 is going to take it. If he doesn't want to go somewhere he will lie on the floor and kick and scream. We are obviously going to try the usual tactics, try warn him in advance whats going to happen, bribery with toys/treats etc. but I wondered if there's more we should do. Should we contact the airline to say there may be an issue getting him onboard?

You've posted in the board for neurodivergent adults, so replies are going to be from neurodivergent adults who may or may not have experience parenting neurodivergent children.

I'm autistic, child-free, and have travelled internationally alone and with other adults, so am typing from my experiences.

Yes, you should inform the airline, and during that call you should ask for assistance at the airports at both ends of the journey.

Assistance can look like a golf cart "taxi" to get him and one parent around the airport faster, advance boarding of the flight, and going through the wheelchair lane at security instead of having to queue. I once travelled with someone who had a broken leg and assistance made everything so much easier for both of us, even though I was uninjured, because I wasn't having to deal with bright lights and other sensory crap for as long.

The sunflower lanyard costs £4.50 plus postage and is understood at all British airports and some further afield as meaning "this person, or someone they are with, has a hidden disability and may need extra time or other help". There's even a card for carers.

Ahh apologies I got the wrong board but thank you for all this information, it is much appreciated.