Airport Security and Children with Autism
Traveling with your child who has Autism is always an adventure. In our case, it’s usually not a big problem, but it’s easy to see how airport security could trigger a meltdown. I am the parent WITHOUT Autism and traveling these days often pushes me to the brink of a breakdown myself, so this has to be a daunting process for the child.
When we arrived at the airport last week, I was hoping for the best. We arrived at about 8:25 for a 10:15 flight to Detroit where we would then change planes and travel on to New York City. As if the normal check-in isn’t fun enough, this particular morning, the airport was enjoying a POWER OUTAGE. It turns out that the power had been out since the night before. The security checkpoint line was very long, but it was moving in the semi-dark. There were about 30 very under-caffeinated souls milling around in front of a darkened Starbucks. Our flight was cancelled, but they said we could get on a 8:30 flight direct to NYC. Wow, late to the airport, the power is out, and we got a BETTER flight. This was starting out to be a great day.
We explained our situation to the TSA staff on duty (kid with Autism, flight takes off in 5 minutes) and they let us go through the first class security line. At that point, we were flagged and put in the big holding box for the extended search.
My 6 year old daughter with PDD-NOS, was frisked! I kid you not. It wasn’t a problem and she played along great, but I could see where this could be a Autism disaster in the making.
The behavior or characteristics of the child or adult with autism may make the security professional extremely anxious. Consider the reliance on visual cues and innocent echolalia a person with autism may display, such as repeating a phrase observed on a close-by poster. At a security checkpoint that phrase might include words that cite the laws or warn against the use of the words “bomb threat” or “hijacking.” Someone who repeats this phrase would quickly come under suspicion at a security checkpoint. Those that repeat a question, run from or blanche at passing through a metal detector, or become over-anxious at attempts to touch them would also merit extra scrutiny. Left unexplained, the behaviors and characteristics of some person’s with autism may delay their trip and cause unnecessary anxiety. These encounters are the types of situations that can easily escalate into misinterpretations, verbal and physical confrontations, physical containment and restraint. [Autism & Airport Travel Safety Tips]
We got to enjoy airport security again on the way home and some extensive security at the Statue of Liberty, and I just kept thinking of how bad this could be for some Autism-impacted families. For waiting in lines, the STROLLER is a must if you child is in the stroller age range. Having the kid strapped in while in line is a huge help. :-) Autism Mom always thinks to bring the stroller. While going thru the chemical explosives detector, my daughter was not to to keen just standing there while they blow the air on you. I told the operator that “she has Autism” and instead of the semi-clueless look that most people give, he went into telling me about vaccines and Autism; and ushered us through his checkpoint.
Filed under: Traveling with Autism, Autism Security, Family, Autism in the USA
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