Autistic Child-OrlandoAirport

[lantern5]

As we will be taking our autistic 12 year old to Orlando with Virgin Atlantic , I was wondering if anybody has any ideas/ experiences in dealing with the long immigration queues once we land. Any advice gratefully received.

[toddy17]

My Wife and Daughter who both work with Autistic children suggest.
1st If your child has any sort of obsession make sure you have plenty of resources books mags etc to feed this obsession. Eg Cars, Star Wars, Dr Who
2nd If he has a favourite film or T.V. programme and you have a portable DVD player with headphones keep that untill you are in the queue.
3rd Do you or the school he attends practice CHOICES and CONSEQUENCES behavioural management techniques with him? This can be a great help, if you send us a Personal Message my Wife will be keen to discuss this with you.

[TinkTatoo]

That's good advice from Toddy and you could ask your Childs school to make a social story explaining that sometimes you have to queue.

Also use the Dibb tip of going to the immigration queue right next to the US only immigration line. Once all the US residents go through they usually open this queue to all other passengers.

[signtalker]

With our son(who's now 14 and autistic), we print out a point by point guide of what will happen at customs, immigration.
he reads this, and is aware of the procedure(dont cross over the white line), finger printing, eye scan etc etc, that way we dont get melt down, he is aware of whats happening, and it keeps him occupied.

Jules

[lausan]

Taking things that are Familiar to him in his own Rucksac also a step by step guide about the Airport and what to expect..also a book called The airport our link to the sky might help its by Robert Sydney Brown..have a lovely Time

[lantern5]

thanks to all who have answered my question and given advice. I'm sure it will be very useful a week on Saturday.( Not that I'm counting the days of course!)

[lantern5]

Follow up from the holiday. No problems at all. We only waited 20 minutes to get through. I do not know if things have got better or it was the time, after5pm on a Saturday night.

[TinkTatoo]

That's good to know - glad it went well