panicking!!! Help with Autism

[and306]

don't know if this is where to post this topic.i am really starting to panic about when we get to sanford airport,other threads i have read said it can take ages to get through immigration. my problem is my eldest ds has been diagnosed with autism and he is sensitive to noise and cant stay still for 2 minutes(lack of concentration) and he also shouts and swears,can anyone give any tips on dealing with this situation please.thanks.:)

[Orlandobelle]

Can't help but you may find advice in the special needs forum :)

Will move this post in there for you

[John]

It all depends on how many flights land at the same time and where you are in the queue. I've taken 2 hours at the worst and a couple of minutes at best. There are usually 'roaming' immigration officers walking the queue....if your ds is playing up just advise them of the problem and ask if it is possible to get you through quicker.

J.

[BarryandCaron]

Sorry, I don't have any experience with Sanford but when flying into MCO we have always been escorted from the plane and right through Customs.

We apply for this through Virgin as DS2 is in a wheelchair as well. Although he needs his wheelchair for his mobility problems it does calm him and he feels secure in it so we don't usually have any problems. Apart from once they didn't bring his wheelchair to the plane instead an airport one and DS2 was not a happy bunny then.

I'd ask your airline for assistance at Sanford.

Caron

[Sean_and_Sue]

Notify the Airline in advance - explain your DS's problems, and the chances are they will do what they can to smoothe the way through immigration for you, and also allow you board/disembark first or last, depending on which would help your DS more:)

HTH

Love Suexx

[TinkTatoo]

We had a similar problem when going through security at MCO unfortunately even though we had a request slip from Continental explaining our kids problem the TSA staff "pretended" to not understand what the request slip meant and sent us into the main queue which took about half an hour to get though (DD was continually crying the whole time and DS was getting more and more agitated) - they did however let a old lady who had difficulty walking through the special clearance.

Anyway - with immigration it might be easier - the immigration halls are huge so one of you could sit with DS in a quiet area while the rest of you queue and you can join them once they reach the front. If DS is getting very upset you could always speak to an official and explain the situation - they might let you wait in a totally separate area.

Have you thought of doing a social story explaining what happens or saving a distraction toy until you are at the immigration hall - these might work?

[spestell]

Hi. we have been to Florida 3 times with our children. One has autism and he has always been treated so well by the americans both at the airport and the parks. Far more understanding than the British! Just find an official and let them know your son does not do queueing and they will help out as best they can:)