International travel with HFA & infant - tips?

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Hi there. We are flying from NZ to the UK, with a 24 hr stopover on the way, in a week's time. We've done the journey every year, but this is the first time we are doing it with two kids, and the first time since we had a diagnosis for my 3.5 yr old son. I'm dreading the trip (it'll be great when we get there, but oh boy the travel....).

Once we get on the plane and the video entertainment starts we'll probably be fine, but trouble spots last time were:
waiting in line at the check in
waiting at the security and passport control (he ran through the scanner ahead of us and I had to dive through to retrieve him, and got scolded for it)
waiting for luggage to come out (he climbed on the conveyor or tried to run round and round the edge of it, getting in everyone's way)

Last time we had a buggy to restrain him for some of the time. Now he is too big for that, and I'm not sure what to do. We'll be two adults with an infant as well.

I'll call the airline when I get a chance, but can you get assistance through the airport does anyone know, or do you just have to wait in line and struggle?
And any tips on helping a child to wait? The OT suggested using the TimeTimer, but he hasn't responded well to it when we use it to for other situations so I'm not sure it'll help (plus it isn't like we know how long the queue will take to get through...)

He does not need to be with you while you wait at checkin. The other adult can keep him entertained and keep in contact with you via cell or by walking by and checking on your status in line. When you are at front, he can join you to checkin.

You do need to wait in line for security and immigration unfortunately.

I would suggest one of you go through security first so you can have one adult on either side of the scanners and belts.

Assuming you are renting a hotel room for the stopover?

And on luggage, again, have one person watching and waiting for the luggage.

Tips? Besides you ought to have your head examined? Will he carry his own backpack? If so, pack it carefully with him choosing as many items as he can carry that he especially likes to play with so whenever there is a wait he can reach into his own pack and pull something out. Some familiar favorites are good but also include some new toys/games if the novelty of a new toy is interesting for him Last car trip we took, I made sure there was a brand new box of crayons and coloring books for each of our boys plus brand new HotWheels.

You might try a leash.

play a game with him to see how long he can stay in one place...you play along too...the first one who moves, loses. first one who wins gets a prize. keep prizes packed where you can reach them. oohh ya he might be alittle young for that, but you can try.

They also make larger strollers for kids with developmental disabilities...you could get one of those, at least for the trip.


I also like the idea of splitting up the work...that will help alot. You can tag team, so nether one of you get tired out.

In situations like the luggage thingie and security, hold on to him and dont let go until you are done.
of course that might lead to a meltdown...so experiment with that first.

good luck on your trip...although I think you are nuts to undertake this. Cant you get a babysitter for a few weeks?

We did several flights before moving here to France last year. We flew from California to Georgia, then to Illinois, then back to California....then we moved we got a direct flight from LA to Paris. I have one Autie and one Aspie. We would tell the people at every check point that our children had autism and they always let us board first right after the handicapped people but before the people with children and also let us in the faster line for security checks. It helped a lot and since you have a baby with you to I would definitely let them know you need to board as soon as possible. Also write a social story for the trip and read it to him over and over....my daughter had us reading her even after the trips . Also be equipped, drinks, snacks, books, crayons, paper, digital games....anything that occupies him.

My best suggestion for helping a young child wait in line would be to have one adult focus on him and do stuff he really likes. Or else give him a DS or other portable electronic game thingy to play with.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone!

Bombaloo, yes we probably do need our heads examined But my DH has to go the UK for at least a month. It was either travel with him (and be with my parents at the other end, which is great) or be left alone with no family support and two kids (one ASD, one 6 mos old). Easy choice really!

Tag teaming is our ideal. It will be harder cos we will be without cellphones (well, I won't have mine as it won't work internationally), but we'll just have to be organised about where we are meeting up and when.

I've started telling my son stories about what it is like to be on a plane, he's pretty excited about that so I'm making sure he knows he has to eat, sleep etc in one seat. Now I'm working in the details to the story a bit at a time (that we have to stop in a hotel en route, that we will have to do lots of waiting while they get the plane ready etc). And I've just started putting together a picture story of the trip, which is what has made me realise exactly how many steps there are to it

Oh, and we've loaded up the iPad with games he likes or might like, and I'm off to buy some new HotWheels and bribery sweets tomorrow. Feeling better prepared now!

I agree with LornaDoone...I traveled a lot with my son since I worked for the airlines. That is what we did with security, etc... Once on the plane, I always had a NEW toy, usually video game or his favorite music to play with until he could be entertained with something else. Also, I always woke him up a bit early so that he was a bit tired and not so hyper