My family and I just took a trip back to the states to visit family. We are currently stationed overseas. This is the first big trip my 2 year old son (diagnosed with PPDNOS) has been on since he was a baby. I saw a new side of Marcel during our trip. Marcel is usually content and a very well behaved, happy little boy. During our travels, he became so hard to handle. When we would visit people, he became so hyperactive that I couldn't sit for 5 seconds at a time because I was chasing him everywhere. He was shaking his head a lot, gritting his teeth, running, crying, everything that is not like him. During the 8 hour flight home, he slept for 20 minutes on the plane. The rest of the time he was that one kid everyone dreads on a flight. He cried, kicked the seats in front of him, screamed. He was impossible to calm down. I want to know if anyone can relate to this? I know it is normal for kids to act different during travel because they are out of their element, but his behavior was extreme. I think maybe it was over stimualtion. Anyone agree with me? Is it hard for autistic kids to be in crowds of people? I don't know what I can do to help him next time.
Oh man can I relate.........my kid has been flying since the age of 3 months old - and he was great as an infant, but when he got into the toddler years...yikes. I had to travel with him to visit my husband while he was away on jobs in other states, or to visit family. One thing that helped was when we finally started purchasing a seat for him and he had to sit confined in the seatbelted car seat! But when he got older, he did all the things your kid did..kick the seats, talk loud or scream and cry - never slept - tryed to constantly climb over or under us to get out and walk the aisles. It was a nightmare. He's 5 now, and I usually pack a bag with things for him - PLAYDOH works wonders....I buy the little travel sizes with tools and it works like a charm to keep him a little busy - and lots of books for me to read to him, and scotch tape...yes tape - it keeps kids busy for some reason. I bring crayons and paper (and he can wrap things inside the paper and tape them up like a present) and I bring maybe a small toy that makes a little noise like plays music or something. And cookies...Barnums Animal crackers..gotta have those. We also try now to be put as far away from other passengers and as close to a bathroom as possible. I hate to bother others if I can prevent it somehow.
I really feel for you though because I know exactly what you went through...you get drained by the end of the travel day and just wanna go to sleep your so exhausted and cranky! I think 1st off is the different experience that it is, to travel I mean. The routine is broken - it's out of the normal everyday activity that takes place....2nd is the overstimulation - new sounds, new sights - it's scary for the little guy and all those movements, sounds from him, and crying are all ways for him to help him cope and make himself feel better. They just don't have the capabilites to even out their feelings and realize that this is just a temporary thing - we're on our way to a new place and this is supposed to be fun - they just see that their routine is upset and all those new things to see are causing both curiosity and fear. Hope you've recovered from the trip! Bet you feel like you'll never do THAT again eh? heehee
I told my husband the next time I am taking a seperate flight! We have two other kids that are 4 and 7, but they were great. I did pack a bag of goodies, but it was useless for Marcel. He kicked the tray of food over in my lap at one point. He threw his toys on the floor. I should have taken a roll of tape! That would have worked good for him. I'll keep that in mind next time. I just felt bad for the people in front of him. It was obvious they were getting upset, but I was honestly trying my best. I could only stand in the back by the bathrooms for so long before he tried to wrestle his way out of my arms. He had his own seat with his car seat, but if we tried to keep him in, that's when he would kick the seat. He cried for so long, in the end I ended up crying with him. It was torture! I am so glad that is over. I'm really going to try the tape thing and playdoh too. Thanks!
Barnum animal crackers contain casein ( a milk derivative ), so they would definitely be a "no-no" for mine. Diet is usually altered when traveling, which would really throw any of my kids for a loop.
If their stomach is upset, or they have a headache becuase of what they are eating, they all can be quite a handful. I let each of my kids pack a backpack full of what they want to take on a trip ( they must be able to carry it ). I pack a soft sided cooler with healthy snacks, and order everyone the fruit plate ahead of time if we fly. My husband and I put up with very little in the way of inappropriate behavior - and they all know about being sitting in the hotel room and missing out on the fun stuff if they embarass us on the plane, in the airport, etc. I also bring new little toys in my bag. I do not bribe - I reward proper behavior. We are consistent with schedules, discipline and bed times when traveling. Benadryl can help with plane travel if neccessary, and something to get their ears to pop (sugarless gum, etc.) Plenty of water on the flight helps also.
Hey Rids, your right...if your kid is on a special diet you can't use the cookies - I guess my point was actually that if there is a treat your kid really likes, no matter what it is, take it along. Mine just happens to like the little box and cookies of the Barnums. I also brought along his favorite blanket when he was younger...a couple times while in his carseat, he put the blanket over his head and fell asleep...that doesnt' work anymore though now that he's older. I also bring some of his favorite toys like the little people he plays with and toy cars. He really likes to play with lego duplo blocks (he makes elevators and escalators and bridges out of them) and I take some of those along as well to keep him occupied. Alot of the problems will go away as the child becomes older and learns to understand more things and play nicely by himself.
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