I am sitting here, writing another two-part article for Uptake.com. This article is entitled Traveling with Autistic Children: Tips for Fellow Travelers and Parents. Given recent events in the news, most notably a mother and young son being deplaned because of his autistic behavior, my contact eagerly accepted the article idea when I pitched it to her.
I had no problem finding tips for parents on how to ease the experience for their autistic child. I could write several times the required 500 words.
However, the challenge is proving to be finding tips for the fellow traveler. After spending several quality hours with Google, I have yet to find any practical tips for the traveler who finds himself seated beside a child with autism on a flight or at the next table in a restaurant. Be patient, be understanding and be empathic does not tell me, a fellow traveler, how to handle a difficult situation.
I appreciate the need to accommodate individuals with autism, but I need to know how. I agree people with autism have the right to travel and to be in public places, but tell me how to best interact with them.
Tell me:
- what to do when I am seated beside an autistic child who is constantly repeating a sound or a gesture;
- what to do when the child behind me is kicking my seat non-stop;
- what to do when an autistic child has a temper tantrum - do I offer to help or do I look away?;
- what to do when I see a beleaguered parent struggling to control her child amidst a sea of glaring and judgmental eyes;
- do I talk to the child to distract him;
- do I reach out to him or would that exacerbate the situation;
- how do I offer to help without offending the parent;
- how do I know the difference between an autistic child and a bratty one.
I have been to countless websites on autism looking for practical tips, including the Autism Society of America site where clicking on the "I Want to Help" button takes me to a donation page. I'm not interested in donating, I would like information on how to be understanding and empathic in a situation in which I do not know what to do.
Please, when demanding that your disability be accommodated, tell me, your fellow traveler, how I may assist you.
