Flying with an autistic child: preparing for a first flight

An airport is queues, scanners that beep, announcements, crowds and a long wait, and then a loud machine that pushes you into your seat. Walked through in advance, step by step, most of it stops being frightening.

Show the whole day before you go

Read the plane story a few times in the week before, then use a picture strip on the day: car, bags, passport, security, wait, plane, seatbelt, take-off, land. Children cope with a lot when they know what comes next and that it ends. Many UK airports have a free visual guide or video of their terminal; ask for the special assistance page on the airport’s website.

Ask for help, it’s free

Most UK airports run the sunflower lanyard scheme: wear it and staff know to be patient, explain things and let you use a quieter lane.
Book special assistance with the airline at least 48 hours ahead. It can mean a quieter security search, a lounge to wait in and boarding first or last.
Tell the cabin crew once you’re on board. They can keep the loud safety announcement from being a surprise.

Security

The bit most children find hardest: the bag goes away on a belt, you walk through an arch that might beep, and a stranger may pat you down. Practise at home with a doorway and a toy on a tray. Say clearly that the bag comes back. Ear defenders usually have to go through the scanner too, so plan a count-to-ten for the gap.

Ears, noise and the wait

Ear defenders or headphones for take-off and landing; the pressure change is easier if your child swallows, so bring a drink, a chewy snack or a lolly.
A new small toy or an app they only get on the plane buys a lot of calm.
Choose seats together in advance: window for a child who likes watching, aisle for one who needs to move.
Pack a change of clothes and the comfort items in hand luggage, never in the hold.

If it goes wrong

A meltdown in a queue is not a failure. Step out of the line (staff will let you back in), find a wall or a corner, go quiet, and use the calm choices your child knows. Once you are on board, the plane is just a room with a loud bit at the start and the end.

Make the free story first

Type your child’s name and get “Sam goes on a plane” as a picture story: one picture and one sentence a page, in their name. Read it a few times before the day, then take it with you. Print it, save it as a PDF, or read it in the Now & Next app with every routine as a story too.

Make the story (free) Open the app

Kits that go with this guide

Everything bundle (£14.99): Every kit in the shop in one download: 24 kits and 500+ picture cards, plus the Card Maker. Save £74.27.
Calm Down Corner Kit (£4.49): A Calm Corner sign, 8 calming posters, a feelings scale, a calm choices board and 18 cards.

Written by a dad to an autistic son with ADHD. This is everyday parenting advice, not medical or therapy advice. If you’re worried about your child, talk to your GP, health visitor or school SENCo.