Down's syndrome brother refusing to get on plane - Update

[Bella1]

I hope you can sort something out as it will be awful he he is getting himself upset.

My friend took her brother with Downs Syndrome on a plane recently and he did get himself worked up but someone suggested Kalms tablets for him. She doesn't know whether the placebo effect worked or if they actually helped but he did manage the flight.

[jclutton]

Originally Posted by DisneyBride08

I really hope you can work something out. Our son has been saying he won't get on the plane. He is pre-verbal, ASD. I have said if he doesn't get on the plane he can't see Mickey Mouse. Since then the no's when I mention plane have stopped. Have you shown him youtube clips of the plane, or blogs of the travel days? If I hope one of these I'm always pointing it out to my son. I really hope you can work something out and it all goes well for you xx

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We sit down with him every day and watch youtube, he does seem to be less scared about it, but to be honest I don't try to push the issue much as I'm hoping he will come back round to being excited.

[Johnsonsontour]

Have you spoken with special assistance, they should be able to offer lots of advice with how they have helped ANY passengers who may have experienced similar anxieties to your brother. I'm not just talking people with Down Syndrome because everybody is different! My 17 year old DD has DS and loves flying, so much that she is usually the one on the plane squealing in delight on take off/landing! PE is a good move as the cabin is usually more relaxed. The more in advance special assistance know & are aware, the better they can be placed to help your brother. My friends son has Aspergers & they arranged a visit to airport etc where they explained everything that would happen & he was brilliant when the time came for their flight to Rome! Are you able to slip in some casual visits to the airport?

[WickedPlans]

This might help you
facebook/autismparen...5611168195554/
You don't need to be flying Virgin or have autism, it's available for anyone who needs it.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by DisneyBride08

I really hope you can work something out. Our son has been saying he won't get on the plane. He is pre-verbal, ASD. I have said if he doesn't get on the plane he can't see Mickey Mouse. Since then the no's when I mention plane have stopped. Have you shown him youtube clips of the plane, or blogs of the travel days? If I hope one of these I'm always pointing it out to my son. I really hope you can work something out and it all goes well for you xx

See more...

DisneyBride - are you going from Gatwick? Just in case you don't know all this already...


...they have an ACE program there for special needs/ASD travellers. Your DS will get a special (and free) lanyard that will identify him to airport staff. It will make the pre-flight hours much less stressful for all of you (will he wear a lanyard?).


OP, I assume you'll be going from Manchester? It might be worth looking into whether they have a similar program. I wish you the best of luck - Ryanair would stress ANYBODY out - let alone someone with special challenges like your brother.

[YLL]

I'm sorry to say this but if it's superheroes and wrestling that gets him excited, I'm not sure how a Disney holiday is the right fit (and I understand, my auntie is an educator for kids with Down's syndrome).

[jemett]

How about making a social story with pictures for him. Starting with clothes for the suitcase, travel to the airport, the airport itself, the aeroplane etc. Just print different photos off, stick to card and show him everyday. My son has special needs and social stories of new things really help.

[jo williams]

How about starting again and do a desensitising programme with him, take him to the airport and let him watch the planes, then go into the airport, then do both and add a bit at a time, I know you can't do the whole thing, get him to watch you tube clips, plenty to do on the plane etc, I work with adults with learning disabilities and have found orientation and desentising programmes really effective.

[lam]

Originally Posted by jemett

How about making a social story with pictures for him. Starting with clothes for the suitcase, travel to the airport, the airport itself, the aeroplane etc. Just print different photos off, stick to card and show him everyday. My son has special needs and social stories of new things really help.

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Originally Posted by jo williams

How about starting again and do a desensitising programme with him, take him to the airport and let him watch the planes, then go into the airport, then do both and add a bit at a time, I know you can't do the whole thing, get him to watch you tube clips, plenty to do on the plane etc, I work with adults with learning disabilities and have found orientation and desentising programmes really effective.

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These are suggestions I was about to make.
I too work with children with special needs and the more you take the mystery out of a situation, the more you quell their anxiety.

You mention he likes super heroes.Disney does marvel now so can you use 1 of their characters in the social story and bring this character with him to the airport to have a look around beforehand.

Visual aids , in the form of cards or on a key ring are a great idea,. they will show him what's happening now and what to expect/whats going to happen next.That should help him cope. The IFE may help too, especially if 1 of the movies or cartoons is marvel.

I do so hope it all works out

[macjaddie]

Can he have a social story printed out and laminated so he can go through it over and over. Then he can also take it with him on the journey. Defiantly a good suggestion about it featuring his favourite characters