First domestic flight with ASD dd2

[MonaOrchideous]

Morning all, hope everyone is okay!

Our dd2 (6) has a diagnosis of ASD, and we recently had her DLA claim go through and had it backdated. We wanted to be able to do something she would enjoy with the money, and she said she really wanted to go and see the pandas at the zoo (she has said this repeatedly as she finds peace and calm in animals and nature, she regularly watches the webcam of the pandas).
I explained to see the pandas (Edinburgh Zoo) we would need to go on a plane, and planes can be loud (she struggles with loud noises) but she could wear her 'headphones' (ear defenders). She was taking everything I said on board, and said she wanted to go.

I have now booked for us to fly up to Edinburgh with easyJet and stay for two nights in a Premier Inn not far from the zoo. It will be myself, OH, dd1, dd2 and OHs son (14). I've booked two rooms and I'll stay with the girls. The hotel is on the tram line so is easy access from the airport, and the zoo is apparently easily accessed.
We're also hoping to get chance to visit the castle.

I have only paid for me to take a larger bag as hand luggage, as everyone else gets a small bag. Not sure if I'm being optimistic, but as we aren't going for too long I was hoping we wouldn't need much?!

My dd2 does need a toilet seat (foldable), ear defenders and ipad with her, is she okay to have her ipad out on the plane? I haven't flown before!

My dd's also do not have passports; easyJet have assured me that as we are flying within the UK they don't need any ID as they're flying with us (parents), but has anybody ever had issues before?

I'm just trying to ensure that I'm as prepared as possible for dd2s sake in the hope there aren't any hiccups that may trigger her.
Any tips would be amazing. Thank you

Hi OP,

You don't need passports for internal flights. (Although not essential, it's a good idea to have some kind of photo ID, like a drivers license on you, if you have one.) When you flight lands it will go to the 'domestic' part of the airport where there will be a walking route out of the airport that by-passes passport control.)

I would highly recommend booking the disabled passenger travel assistance service for your outward and return journey. They can fast track you through the airport so you don't have to spend too long in queues to reduce sensory input. They can also alert staff on the departure gate who can ensure you get to board at a quieter time -usually first or last. We do this with out DS who loves to fly but is highly noises sensitive and struggles with too much visual stimuli in airports. We zip straight through to the gate and he sits happily watching planes taking off.

Social stories may help explain different parts of the airport to your child - eg my son struggled the first time we went through security because we had to take his cuddly toy off him and put it through the scanner. So it was helpful to explain that this is normal and he would get it back in a moment. Many airports now have social stories on their websites that you can download. Or you can create your account own.

Have only been to Edinburgh airport once but, from memory, the tram service is well sign posted. Just make sure you pack layers and everyone has a waterproof as you can never depend on the weather.

@dressedforcomfort thank you so much for taking the time and writing such an amazing detailed response, I am so grateful.
I have now made contact and booked special assistance with the airline, and we will be collecting a sunflower lanyard for her prior to going through security.
She has a baby blanket with her most places, and a dummy still, so nearer the time we will explain how these may get taken and checked and then given back.

The airports actual website after some digging has a guide on how it would all go specifically for autistic children, so I'm going to print this for dd2 and let her go through it at her own pace this week.
Myself and OH both have valid passports, and we were going to do the kids but Covid hit; we decided to wait until the restrictions calmed down so they didn't need testing to go on holiday. One of those things that kept getting pushed back so we could holiday within the UK.

These pandas better be worth it she's so excited 😂

Queen's University, Belfast hosted an event called 'Autism in the Air' in may time which used pov videos to take kids through each step of the airport and plane etc. I used these videos in teaching myself so they might be easily accessible with a Google search (haven't checked). Alternatively there are also video tours of planes that can be found on YouTube that may be helpful as a visual aid for what to expect.

As pp said I'd be utilising social stories and lots of role playing to prepare her for what is to come. She will be absolutely fine with her iPad but it will have to be on airplane mode so maybe make sure anything she needs is accessible offline! IME planes can be quite chilly, perhaps pack layers if she is sensitive to temperature, and / or if she is sensitive to textures or touch, her own blanket to sit on so she doesn't have to deal with the feeling of the planes seats?

Assistance is great for security etc but I'd also think practically in terms of what she wears as she may be asked to take shoes off if they have thick soles for example. Belts and jackets always have to come off too. I find with pupils it's sometimes easier for parents to prepare for this as I know often kids favour high top shoes that are a faff to come off etc!

@Senteacherni thank you for your suggestions I will definitely check these out!
I had planned for us to wear our suitcase so to speak to save on packing, so hopefully this would help.

I follow aviation anyway, but todays events are giving me major anxiety. I looked out of interest at some of the flights due to leave Edinburgh this evening and one leaving at 7.20pm for example is now scheduled for 6.20am tomorrow. I know these events are completely out of anybody's control and I hope everything is sorted as soon as possible, but I know the backlog from this will be felt for days if not weeks. If it doesn't seem okay I won't be risking it for dd2s sake.
I hope that everybody who is currently stuck can get where they need to be as soon as possible and not be diverted elsewhere.