Traveling with children with special needs

[sewf]

We’re flying with DD for the first time this summer, to visit the ILs in Maine. I think it’s about a four hour flight, and because of location, I am pretty positive we have to have a layover somewhere.

DD has Cohen’s syndrome, so while she is six, intellectually, she is more like three. We have done long drives before, usually around eight hours, and she does fine, but airplanes (and airports) are different than being strapped into her normal carseat with a movie to watch. She can get overstimulated easily, but sometimes she surprises us with what she can stand.

So I welcome any tips! We have headphones for her to block out noise, and we’ll have movies. Should we take her booster carseat on the plane? I’m not even sure it will fit in a plane seat. I have anxiety, as well, especially flying anxiety, so H (who wanted to be a pilot as a kid, so no anxiety there) is going to be doing most of this work while I try to meditate and clutch my med bottle.

[brux]

I don't think you can use booster seats on planes. I've seen a lot of convertible car seats, but never boosters.

If you want something to keep her still and more secure, the CARES harness is well reviewed. www.amsafe.com/kidsflysafe-com/

[bobyn]

Feb 13, 2024 10:44:49 GMT -6 brux said:

I don't think you can use booster seats on planes. I've seen a lot of convertible car seats, but never boosters.

If you want something to keep her still and more secure, the CARES harness is well reviewed. www.amsafe.com/kidsflysafe-com/

This is my recommendation as well. We were told to place the booster seat under the seat in front of us since it can't be used during the flight.

[blurnette989]

I always recommend gummy bears for takeoff and landing. For kids who haven't yet learned to swallow on their own or pop their ears during the flight, this helps make sure they are able to release pressure easily. And it makes potentially the scariest part of a flight fun because yay candy!

[piratecat]

Is she in a 5-pt harnessed booster or a regular booster with seatbelt? I think you should be able to bring a harnessed booster that's approved for use on aircrafts and it may be a good idea since it's something she's familiar with, plus you'll need it when you get there, right?

[sewf]

Feb 13, 2024 11:42:06 GMT -6 piratecat said:

Is she in a 5-pt harnessed booster or a regular booster with seatbelt? I think you should be able to bring a harnessed booster that's approved for use on aircrafts and it may be a good idea since it's something she's familiar with, plus you'll need it when you get there, right?

She is just about outgrowing the 5-point in our car, and rides in a booster in the school van. I think we’d just use the booster in Maine. We may just have to make that her carry on and hopefully it will fit under a seat. I prefer for her to be in some sort of child seat, but that may be a me problem. I forget that even with the intellectual delays, her physical body is probably big enough for the regular seat.

[piratecat]

Feb 13, 2024 11:56:26 GMT -6 sewf said:

Feb 13, 2024 11:42:06 GMT -6 piratecat said:

Is she in a 5-pt harnessed booster or a regular booster with seatbelt? I think you should be able to bring a harnessed booster that's approved for use on aircrafts and it may be a good idea since it's something she's familiar with, plus you'll need it when you get there, right?

She is just about outgrowing the 5-point in our car, and rides in a booster in the school van. I think we’d just use the booster in Maine. We may just have to make that her carry on and hopefully it will fit under a seat. I prefer for her to be in some sort of child seat, but that may be a me problem. I forget that even with the intellectual delays, her physical body is probably big enough for the regular seat.

My 6YO is still in a harnessed booster so I'm with you. They do need to have the maturity to sit properly in a booster seat in addition to meeting physical requirements so I don't think you're off base. 

[coffeecake]

I would call the airline about the booster seat. They might let you bring it as an extra carry on, even if you can’t use it on the plane. Car seats and strollers are often free and they might also have accommodations for special needs kids.

[spicysalmonroll]

We use the hiccopop for travel once he turned 6 which is an inflatable booster. So it delates and packs in my suitcase for the flight (easier than carrying around a hard booster). I obviously don't know your child and the level of need for restraint, but my son has been fine just sitting on the plane seat since he was 20 months old. He has autism/adhd so he's a tad immature for his age and jittery, but he likes the freedom to sit, stand, look out the window, sit criss cross, lay his head on my lap, etc so we let him.
An umbrella stroller can be really helpful in the airport, you don't want to be sprinting after them just as you have taken your shoes off in security line lol. Gate check it at boarding.

[robotsvswrestlers]

Flight attendants have always told me you must have a five point harness (no boosters allowed) and it must have a sticker/label that it is FAA approved. So even if it has a sticker and can convert to a booster, you have to use the harness. I have been asked to show them the sticker several times during boarding.

I have one child that can sit freely with no issue, but my son always benefited from the extra restrain on planes. It helped keep him contained but it also helped him mentally stay in one spot. I brought his car seat on the plane until age 4 or 5. Surprise, he was just diagnosed as ADHD/autistic so it all makes sense now.

[sahara]

Sign up for TSA cares. The level of accommodation varies based on TSA staffing levels, but at our home airport we’ve always had a staff member walk us past the security line to the metal detectors.

We also board early when they call for passengers with disabilities. My kid is autistic and gets scared on the jetway, especially if there’s a gap between the jetway and the plane. Boarding without a crowd makes her feel less overwhelmed and more able to step over the gap.

At our airport, they have annual events where kids with disabilities can go through the whole security/boarding process. It’s usually sponsored by our state autism and Down syndrome societies.