Flying with a suspected ADHD and ASD DD

[ConfusedLlama]

Hi,
TLDR: Any tips on what to bring or do for airport and 1.5 hour flight with a suspected ASD and ADHD child?

My DD5 is on the long long waiting list to be assessed for Autism and ADHD. She's very much struggled at school since she started with huge outburst, throwing things, refusing to move and refusing to speak for over an hour.

The SENCO at the school was quick to pick up on it and refer her and she's now been on the waiting list for just over a year.

She's gone into year 1 and settled a bit but is still struggling with self regulation. We've identified some of her triggers but not all of them. She is mostly sensory seeking but loud sudden noises in her words "hurt her ears and make my whole body feel like its sick".

We're due to fly for the first time with her and DD13 we're packing a few things like ear defenders, fidgets and she likes soft things she can stroke so we'll pack those but I wondered if anyone had any tips for going through the airport or while on the plane (it's only an hour and a half)?

I've looked at the sunflower lanyard but as she's not been formally diagnosed so feel a little conflicted about buying her one, I dont want to diminish it's meaning to those who have been diagnosed. IYSWIM?

Hello OP

what airport are you flying from? Gatwick airport has a sensory room which you can pre book and use for a short amount of time.

please don’t be disheartened about using a disability lanyard, it’s not about diagnosis it’s about needs and if your little one can’t wait for long periods of times or does not like crowded places/ques. Lanyards are free and you can collect from help desk for accessibility. I can’t give advise regarding the journey as you know your child best. Try and plan ahead, it’s a short flight but they way you have wrote it sounds as though inside flight will be more tricky. All the best and enjoy your holiday

Whether DD has ASD or not she has additional needs, so don’t feel like a fraud using a sunflower lanyard.

I second checking whether this airport has a sensory room. Speak to the airport and airline about special assistance, fast track/priority security, boarding first/last (whatever would be easier for DD) and disembarking first/last.

Thanks both of you. When you put it like that it does make sense for the sunflower lanyard, she definitely does need just a bit more patience and understanding. She gets overwhelmed and can either get very hyper or spiral into anger or upset.

We're flying from Stansted, a quick Google says they don't have a sensory room but I'll double check, they do have a booklet with a "I spy" game and some good tips re going through security.

I'm worried about the ear popping or her feeling nauseous as she is terrified of being sick but as it's such a short flight I'm hoping she won't be too bad. iPad and many colouring books will most definitely be in the bag for the journey.

I'll do a bit more research on what Stansted have to offer.