Subscribe Via RSSReader Question: Autistic and Going Through Airport Security
My friend wrote to ask if I could give a few tips on travel, especially going through security. This question has special relevance to the autistic community, because many autistic traits can be mistaken for suspicious behavior (avoiding eye contact, not wanting to be touched, refusal to follow directions, escalating into hostility, etc.). What makes the process especially challenging is that TSA checkpoints are usually brightly lit, bustling, and lack clear instructions.
Yes, I have panicked before when I encountered one of their experimental “puffer” machines in Fort Lauderdale and there were no instructions. I waited until I was doing it all wrong and then freaked out. (It blew puffs of air at you and checked for traces of explosives, except I had no idea what was going on.) Next time I’ll just look for a human before I step into a machine! You have every right to ask for instructions. You also have the right to ask for assistance or extra time.
Going Through Security
1. Usually you’ll stand in line until you reach a TSA employee who will inspect your drivers license (or comparable photo ID) and boarding pass. He or she will hand these back to you.
2. You’ll place your carry-on bag through the x-ray, and any jackets/shoes/purses/clear bag with liquids go in a bin. Laptops go in a separate bin. If you’re squeamish about walking barefoot in a public place, wear socks!
3. Walk through the metal detector. As your belongings come out of the x-ray, you’ll need to collect them. There should be an area a few feet away where you can repack anything and put your shoes on. It’s not a good idea to stand at the x-ray and repack, as this causes everyone behind you to pile up.
(Interesting post from Cat in a Dog’s World here on alternatives TSA is beginning to implement and how they affect people with special needs.)
You may be told to step aside so they can screen your belongings by hand. It is your right to have someone of the same gender screening your baggage in a discreet area off to the side. It’s possible for your careful organization to come undone as they go through your things, so brace yourself. If you feel they’ve been disrespectful at any point, calmly ask to talk to a screener supervisor or email TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov. If you feel you’ve been discriminated against, visit their Discrimination page for contact info.
How to get through the line faster (TSA)
Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions (TSA)
13 Responses
My biggest issue is understanding spoken instructions that might be given by the screener. What’s the best protocol for that? Just tell the screener I have difficulty understanding speech? Ask them to put instructions in writing?
(Also, what should I do about those incomprehensible PA announcements? Constantly check the arrival/departure chart?)
You can tell them you have a disability that affects your hearing and you’d like written instructions.
Those PA announcements can be horrid…on my last flight I had to laugh because I watched an employee in the middle of making an announcement when someone at another gate bellowed right over her with a LOUDER mic. If you’re at your gate and you see the person making an announcement, you can go up and ask what he/she said, or you can check the displays. Another option is to use an app on your phone that will alert you to any gate changes or delays.
Great post! These tips are not only helpful for autistics, but anyone who isn’t familiar with US airport security (e.g. people from other countries, people who don’t speak English well, etc).
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Having access to a small card of your own to give an explanation (simple one of course) of what you may find difficult and why might be helpful just so you can quickly hand if over if you feel yourself getting distressed?
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1. Usually you’ll stand in line until you reach a TSA employee who will inspect your drivers license (or comparable photo ID) and boarding pass. He or she will hand these back to you.
I’m unaware of anyone that was diagnosed in early childhood with autistic disorder who has a driver’s license. Most will be traveling with some sort of support person and will call the airline to let them know beforehand and arrange for accommodations.
Kent, diagnosis in early childhood can lead to diverse outcomes later in life so it’s entirely possible for an adult with ASD to have a driver’s license and travel independently. I hope you have the opportunity to meet more individuals on the spectrum and broaden your horizons.
Hi Sandy, thanks for your thoughts. I belong to an Asperger’s support group, about 30 of us. I also am the Treasurer of the NC Mental Health Association.
Where might I meet these folks with Autistic Disorder that have progressed through adulthood to include the ability to pass a DL test? I’m unaware of them through my work with the MHA or my local advocacy here in North Carolina to help autistic people.
I’ve been locally very active in the Autistic/Autism community. I have worked really hard to be a good advocate. But, AD and AS are very different from my experience as an AS person, father and advocate. Perhaps you can point me to a study or something that would disabuse me of the last 7 years of advocacy for my community?
Hi Kent,
I don’t know of any specific study that proves or disproves your beliefs, but as the old saying goes, “anecdote is not the plural of data”. In other words, just because you haven’t met anyone who is “autistic” and “holds a DL” doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
I won’t get into the whole “AS is/isn’t significantly different from AD” debate, as that’s quite a controversial topic… but I will say that I think we need to be very careful not to fall into the trap of stereotyping ourselves and our children. We’re all different. I say this as an AS-autistic parent of two Kanners-autistic children who does her own share of daily advocacy.
Cheers!
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In this entire new generation of those diagnosed in childhood and given better treatment many will grow up to be able to travel alone and have a driver’s liscence. It’s hard to say at the moment what a five year old diagnosed with “autistic disorder” will be able to do as an adult.
And if I remember correctly, Temple Grandin was diagnosed as “autistic” in childhood. I also know of others who do not have her level of fame.
OR a state issued photo ID- which many people have if they travel, alone *OR* escorted by family/ staff. I currently do not have a driver’s, but I do have a Photo ID issued by my state. They require Photo ID for a LOT of things- at one point, one of my doctors Required for anyone over 18 to provide some form of photo ID (to avoid insurance fraud, even though the staff knew most clients by name at one point.)
Having photo ID, if you are the one in charge of it or not (you might carry your son’s if he isn’t able to keep track of it in the future, or get him a “pass” type necklace card carrier like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001SLTWPY/ref=asc_df_B001SLTWPY1184760?tag=the004-20&creative=395261&creativeASIN=B001SLTWPY&linkCode=asn ) is more and more essential.
And there’s no need to pass any sort of test- just present some basic ID, usually SS card and Birth certificate and some official mail in the individual’s name/proof of residence. Don’t have anything? ordering a new SS card at the current address works- as does a lease that lists them as an occupant. Some land lords will rent to a person but requires having a list of the people officially living there (usually in homes near Colleges). A Doctor’s bill will work too- I’ve had a doctor send a “receipt of service” in order to use for this, too. (I ended up using my SS card envelope instead.)
Acceptable forms of ID at a checkpoint:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/acceptable_documents.shtm
Kent, many autistic & Aspergers adults were never diagnosed in childhood and there is evidence that there are far more adults on the spectrum than previously estimated. In fact , nearly 1% of all adults tested show up somewhere on the spectrum-almost as many as children.
I am terrified of gong through airport security. The only medication that lets me sleep is Medical Marijuana, I am partially Persian and fit the “middle eastern” profile and am prone to melt-downs when I feel I’m being misunderstood.
Not a good recipe for air travel…
I haven’t had to deal with a puffer machine- I saw one where I landed in Hartford CT before but never went through it- but security can be terrifying even without one of those.
Instead I faced the general direction of the security people and said loudly “I’m Autistic, I am confused.” and they sent someone to walk me through it. I also ended up having to be taken aside to be wanded instead of the walk through scanner at Pittsburgh- I was wearing a bra with underwire as well as something that was wood but painted with a metallic paint that I was unaware of. This had nothing to do with my requesting help, and everything to do with being unable to locate what was triggering it.
My experience has been that TSA is more accommodating than the airlines/airports themselves. They can be HORRIBLE.