Airport Struggles

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I've only taken one flight in my life, and that was with people I knew. Now I have to fly alone, and I am becoming very nervous because of executive function issues exacerbated by the chaos of airports. The last time I had to go through security, I struggled with following the officials' instructions and moved very s-l-o-w-l-y. I kept losing track of my stuff because the bright lights and all the noise were overwhelming my brain. I also have low muscle tone and I find it difficult my heavy suitcases. Several times, I dropped everything. I know that the TSA allows a relative of a person with a disability to accompany her through the gate (regardless of if the relative is actually is flying), but does anyone know how to arrange this? Do you have to present documentation, or can you just call a few days in advance and say "Can I have my relative XYZ come with me and help me make it through security?" Alternatively, do airports have some sort of assistant service for people with disabilities? If a relative can't accompany me, it would be immensely beneficial to have an airport employee help me monitor my items when I am passing through security and carry some of my luggage to the gate. Does anyone have experience arranging an assistant in airports?

I have only flown as few times but one thing that helped me a lot was diazepam. it made everything a lot less overwhelming

Hi Coralie,

A letter from a doctor might be good if possible. Or, second best might be an autism card you type up yourself, perhaps something like this:

I flew about a year ago. Here's what I remember:

When your particular airline checks in your baggage, they give you additional paperwork.

TSA wants to see your driver's license or ID and your ticket or boarding pass (and I think it is ticket).

Before the body scan X-ray machine, they want you to remove everything from your pockets. They also want you to take off your shoes and belt and put them in a little plastic bin (although some people put their shoes directly on the conveyor belt).

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Here's how I might handle it:

Check all luggage except for one small backpack. Use the small front compartment for the airline paperwork.

Let TSA employee see license and ticket (or boarding pass). Shortly after this interaction is successfully completed, remaining proactive, I put everything into small front compartment, including my wallet and all contents of my pockets, even kleenex tissue.

Once I get to conveyor belt, put shoes and belt into plastic bin, which I then put on conveyor along with my backpack.

After X-ray body scan, put shoes and belt back on. Then check that wallet is still in my front compartment of backpack. Re-load pockets. Whew, I've done it.

Take deep breath. Scout out location of departing gate. I have arrived early, giving myself ample time. Then go in search of tasty treat!

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And please remember, we on the spectrum have the same right to travel as anyone else.