3 tips for supporting families with autistic children when flying
Airports are getting busier by the day, which is why, as a traveler, you see numerous types of people any time you are trying to catch your flight. Business travelers, honeymooners, and an endless number of families can all be on the same airplane as you. You may not pay too much attention to many of these people, unless something happens to capture your attention. And most of the time, the thing that will catch your attention is a child, whether they are playing, running around, or having a meltdown.
What you may not know is that the child having the meltdown may be autistic. Their parent, or caregiver, is most likely trying every trick they have to keep their autistic child calm and happy until they reach their destination. But going to an airport can be challenging for children with autism. All the sights, sounds, people, smells, and colors can create overstimulation.
For example, my oldest son, who is autistic, can be very anxious in that environment. When he gets too anxious, he can have an autism-induced meltdown.
While I can control certain aspects of our travel, there are always unpredictable and unexpected things happening at airports. This is the number one reason why I always recommend using support services when you are traveling. As a travel advisor for autistic families, I arrange for these services when I am planning trips for all my clients. Since one of the biggest travel challenges is the airport, I always connect my clients with TSA Cares to ensure the support needed is available.
Personally, I prepare my son with videos prior to our travel dates. I also make sure he is traveling at a time of day that is best for him. My son will have eaten a good meal before we arrive at the airport, and I always bring lots of his favorite snacks. The electronics are completely charged as well, so he has something to keep him distracted from a few of the overstimulating obstacles he will encounter.
Related: Tips for flying with a child on the autism spectrum
We all know that things don’t always go as planned and adjustments will need to be made. My strategies do not always work, because my son is a person and not a robot. We could honestly plan for weeks, and something will still derail what appears to be the best plan. Thankfully, there are a couple things fellow travelers can do to help families who are traveling with autistic children.
Be empathetic
Everyone has good days and bad days. If you happen to see a child having a meltdown in the airport, remember there is a big difference between a meltdown and a temper tantrum. An autistic child having a meltdown might appear the same, because it looks like a temper tantrum from the outside. However, autistic children cannot control their emotions when they are overwhelmed. On the inside, they are tired, angry, overstimulated, and even excited about the journey they are taking.
When you see an autistic child having a meltdown, it is not the time to give dirty looks, judgmental stares, or make snide comments to the parent. All those things will only make the meltdown even worse. It is best if you simply walk away, so the parent or caregiver can handle the situation appropriately. This is always my number one recommendation.
Related: 6 tips for planning a vacation with a child or travel companion with autism
Offer words of support and encouragement
Of course, if you feel obligated to support a family in the middle of a meltdown, do not engage with the child. Instead, offer words of support or offer to assist with a task that doesn’t involve the meltdown. You may consider gathering a few of their belongings, helping with another child, or going to get them some water. If you have a blanket, you can offer that to the parent, because some autistic children feel calmer when they have a blanket over them.
Related: Pittsburgh Airport Opens ‘Sensory Room’ to Help Flyers With Autism
When you offer assistance to a family with an autistic child, they may tell you they don’t need anything. That is okay and at that time, you can simply walk away. Your kind offer, and non-judgmental ways, will have still made this challenging time a little easier.
Give families some space
My last tip is to make sure a family traveling with an autistic child has the space they need and to ensure the area is safe. By removing objects that could pose a hazard, you are allowing the parent or caregiver to focus on their child and their child’s needs. A little extra space is helpful too, because it will allow the family to take a breath and determine which steps to take next. Don’t worry, if support is needed, they will ask for help. Simply look for guidance from the parent or caregiver and try to help as best you can.
You may not encounter an autistic child every time you fly, but these tips will help you each time you do. The next time you are at the airport, and see a family with an autistic child, you now know you have options for making that family's trip better, even if they do experience a meltdown they tried to prevent.
As an autistic travel advisor, I make sure my clients have all the support services they need when they are traveling. Between those services, and your help, I know my clients, and their autistic children, will experience the amazing vacations they deserve.
Related: Your guide to visiting Disney World with a child on the autism spectrum
Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.