Flying with an autistic child

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How many people are travelling with you? Just you and your daughter? When we flew it was myself, my wife, my autistic son and my 2 year old son. How many seats are you buying? We got three and were planning to sit the two-year-old on our laps but we got lucky, the flight was fairly empty and we were able to get one extra seat. We sat in the middle row, with my wife and I on each side and the two kids in the middle. They didn't actually stay seated the whole time but the middle two seats became a little "play area" for them. I don't remember much in the ways of crying/meltdowns so I guess it may depend on how well your daughter handles being out in public. Half way through the flight both kids crashed, we had to wake them up when we landed. Remarkably my so followed us through the airport as we went through customs and changed planes. He fell asleep again right after the connecting flight took off.

At this stage its going to be my wife and myself along with my daughter, last time we took the 3 seats right at the back just in case i needed to settle her down, it would be easier to stand up the back rather than somewhere in the middle. We are trying to get the grandparents to tag along but that may or may not happen. Both the flights we have are around mid night so she should be sleepy but then again with the change in environment, noise etc, we will have to see how it goes.

In all honesty i wouldn't be offended at all if airlines did have a section of the flight especially for kids like my daughter so they could move about a bit and other parents would be more aware of the situation.

I had one horrible trip when my oldest who had early onset Bi Polar disorder was about three. He also did not sit still and could not entertain myself, its why my autistic kids are so much easier because the will be intensely interested in something for quite a long time. My daughter was accustomed to holding a ring on a rope at school so its why I used the rope to keep everyone together.....we held onto it like a train. When she was younger we had a stuffed monkey and it clipped onto her like a back pack, or a monkey on her back . It had a tail to hold onto like a leash and that was a lot of help when we were in a crowd of people. I also strongly recommend a Medical ID if she does not have one, with your cell phone number on it. Also they have those beeping things on that site I sent you to that you can attach to their shoes and push the button and it makes an alarm so you can find your child.
With my son, the only thing he liked to do was put screws and nails in things.....If I would have been a smarter mom back then. He passed away in August and he would have been 25 yesterday, but I should have just brought him a screw driver,some screws, and a few pieces of wood.....also I would give him coffee with half coffee and half milk and honey....he liked it and it calmed him down which is why we thought he had ADHD as he responded to stimulants in opposite, they calmed him but when he got older and we tried ritilan it made him worse so it may have been the warm milk and honey...you can try that in a thermos.
I dont think there is anything wrong with a half of an ativan....it melts under their tongue and tastes good (I used to use them), if it is just for the trip.
Do weighted things work for her? You can go to a health store or a pharmacy and get those microwave things for sore muscles, they have enough weight for someone her age. Also they have ones with stuffed animals on them for kids. She may even like it if they can warm it for her if it gives of a smell.....some of our kids like calming scents.
Also new toys keep them occupied longer than the old toys from home, its why I said to get her some new things. She will also sleep and I recommend bringing as many things from home for sleep as possible, her blanket (dont wash it, it smells like home) and maybe her pillow.
Also, if you are, dont be afraid to ask for help and if people are nasty because she may kick their seat they are not worth getting upset over or you could throw a couple ativan at them
Good Luck

Oh, I also suffered a two day trip on a train with Mr. Crazy evil child....I love and miss my baby but he was no picnic when he was little, or big but he was a bit easier the older he got until he started using drugs. I also had my daughter who is now 22 and had colic....she was only a couple months old....I was also like five cars away from the food car. So I had to drag my son who was a bit over 3 and juggle my baby through these people and then balance food and them on the way back as we could only eat from the cart and not in the dinning car (we were too poor). Some nasty man behind us was telling this woman how good her baby was and how horrible mine was because she cried in the middle of the night....ah bite me jerk . My little girl was actually my easiest child after she got over her colic and she is a wonderful, self-sustaining beautiful talented woman. The only good thing about that trip was when we went through the Colorado mountains and they had a big car that you could sit and watch out the window the seats were pointed toward the huge long windows......it was the only time my son was not making me nuts other than when he was asleep. NEVER take a train with young children....unless you have a bed car.....UG, Nightmare!

I found this video, which is geared towards very young NT kids, but I thought it had some good advice anyway: http://video.about.com/travelwithkids/A ... planes.htm