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How do I fly with my autistic child?

Airport support programmes, preparing with pictures, packing a calm kit, and getting through security.

By The Autism Kit teamUpdated Sep 28, 2026 · 1 min read
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A mother and baby sitting by the window on an airplane
Photo: Rahul Singh on Pexels
The short answer

Contact your airline and airport ahead of time: in the US, TSA Cares can arrange help through security, and many airports and airlines offer assistance for disabled travellers. Prepare your child with a picture schedule of the whole trip (car, airport, security, wait, plane, landing), pack a sensory kit, and choose seats and times that suit your child.

Key takeaways
  • Contact TSA Cares or your airport's assistance service early.
  • Make a picture schedule of the whole trip.
  • Pack a sensory kit.
  • Choose times and seats that suit your child.

What help is available at the airport?

In the US, TSA Cares helps travellers with disabilities through security if you contact them before your trip.12 Many airports worldwide offer special assistance and quiet routes.

How do I prepare my child?

A trip picture schedule
StepPicture
1Car to the airport
2Check in
3Security (bags on the belt, walk through)
4Wait at the gate
5Plane: seat, seatbelt, take off
6Snack and activities
7Land, get bags, car

A short social story with airport photos helps too.3

What should I pack?

Try
  • Headphones or ear defenders
  • Tablet with downloaded shows
  • Familiar snacks and a water bottle
  • A comfort item and a change of clothes
Skip
  • Relying on in-flight wifi
  • Tight connections
  • New clothes or shoes on travel day
Free printable: social narrative templatePDF · 1 page · a simple story to prepare for a new or hard situation
Download Free printable: social narrative template

What can I do before the trip?

0 of 3 done

Common questions

A US TSA helpline for travellers with disabilities and medical conditions. You can request help through security by contacting them before your trip.

Sources

  1. TSA: TSA Cares. tsa.gov
  2. TSA: Disabilities and medical conditions. tsa.gov
  3. Carol Gray Social Stories. carolgraysocialstories.com

This guide shares general information and our team's perspective, based on the sources above. Every child is different, so please talk with your child's doctor or care team about what's right for your family. How we write our guides.

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