Security at MCO, accommodations for autism?

[coastgirl]

Hi all.

My ds, 18, has an autism spectrum disorder ('high functioning" I guess though he had a different diagnosis before the categories got re-written). Does MCO offer any programs or accommodations that could make it easier for him? We went to the UK last year and Gatwick had awesome stuff, but I've never heard of it in the US.

The last time we went through security at MCO, things nearly went off the rails. Dh got selected for the "easy lane" (TSA Pre?) and took our daughter while I was left with ds, a ton of luggage and the dog. (Yeah. He knows not to do that again.) We had a very long, very crowded wait, and then ds got pulled aside for an extra pat-down, when I wasn't able to be with him to keep him calm (on the other side with the dog and the luggage). He was already overwhelmed by then, and we came really close to a meltdown.

He's now fully grown and looks like an adult, so they won't cut him any slack based on appearances. If he melts down, it can look almost exactly like a two year old melting down, but he's a lot bigger, and if he takes a swing at something...well, you can imagine how TSA might react. OTOH, I really don't want to have to scream "autism kid!" to all and sundry, as it embarrasses him.

Anyone have any insight into what the airport might offer by way of accommodation?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Does your home airport have a program? I'd start there. Or a quick Google search resulted in:
https://www.thearc.org/wingsforautism
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support

 

[coastgirl]

Thanks Katie.

Thanks for the links, I was searching through the airlines, but TSA direct is better. I've sent them an email asking for advice.

I was aware of Wings for Autism, which does an awesome job. He flies often and doesn't have a problem with the journey itself. And when we go through passport control, we will do so as a family, so we can manage that ok. It's the sensory onslaught of that chaotic line before security, followed by a cattle gate where the staff will look at him as an individual adult, not a child travelling with his parents. Hopefully the TSA will be able to give me some guidance.

 

[Hoodie]

Have you considered getting the TSA pre check for him? If he flies often, it may be worth it. It has made a world of difference with us.

 

[murmer]

There is TSA care phone number that you can call and ask if there are any accommodations possible (but they always make sure to tell you the person has to go through the security process). We have on occasion used the handicap lane and other times had someone meet us and help us through the line. Also if tsa cares is not able to help you can ask for a passenger support specialist at any point in the process who is suppose to be more versed in working with nontypical needs.

 

[Mamabun]

Call TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227 about 3 or 4 days before your trip. They will arrange for someone to meet you ahead of TSA screening. Usually the specific airport will call you the day before to finalize things. We've used them at many airports, but not MCO, yet. It's been a sanity saver many times. They usually can get you through quickly, but they also help you with any waits, letting you wait away from the crowded/pushy line of people, etc. It's a little thing, but has meant a ton to us.

 

[Gussie Granger 1969]

We got pre check just for this reason, for our ASD son. We used it for the first time 5 days ago for a trip to visit family and it worked well. We left from Syracuse, small airport, but we had MCO in mind when we got it. Those long lines

 

[LadyD]

MCO is an awful airport to fly out of if you have ASD because they’re constantly rolling out new screening procedures and rules there, and the wait for security can get pretty bad/the general layout is not very good for sensory processing. I’d definitely contact TSA Cares a few days before your flight for assistance. I hope your airport experience goes well and without incident.

As a side note, I’m “high functioning” and it’s to the point now where I refuse to fly out of that airport and I’ll drive to Tampa or Ft Lauderdale because I’ve had so many bad experiences with the MCO TSA, though that was before I found out about the TSA Cares. I haven’t been willing to try flying out of there since I received that information.

 

[connie254]

My son is 27 and we fly about every year to Disney but this past year it was three times. I contacted TSA Cares before we left the last time for only one reason. My son know the security system well and practices it a lot. That's not the problem, it was the security dog we had to walk past in November. My son is scared of dogs and this one came very close to me. Upset my son a lot. I asked for a way around the dog. We got to use the scanner that he is used to, in the handicapped lane. We had to go through the regular lines and waited forever for the agent who was supposed to walk us over. The person who checked our ID finally took us over. I go through the scanner first, and he knows to look for my signal to enter the scanner. I've been patted down a couple of times but I always tell them I'm traveling with my autistic son. As long as we don't touch, if we have to get patted down, it's fine. I direct him on how to move for the agent if he needs patted.

 

[adelaster]

Highly recommend pre-check for anyone with TSA issues. They're still gruff, it's still not fun, but it is SO much easier. Definitely worth the cost.

ETA: you don't get touched or need to take anything off- as soon as my ID is checked I put everything in my bag. Put the bag on the ramp, walk through, get bag on other end. This is pretty standard at all of the airports I've been to with the service. Do check to make sure that the airports you frequent provide it. There are other similar services, like CLEAR if that works better.

 

[unwritten01]

Another supporter of TSA pre-check. I don't even find them gruff and you get approval through an appointment. So much reward for actually so little fuss. Call TSA Cares too - double it up.

Short waits - think of it like an airport FastPass!

 

[mickey&minniealways]

My daughter is not on the Autism Spectrum. However she has been coded since the age of three. Moderate MR with global deficiencies. She is 23 now. Has flown many times and we have had a couple of meltdowns over the years. Two years ago she had a breakdown while participating in project search. Ended up in the hospital. Has since been diagnosed as having Schizo Affective Disorder with Depression and some psychotic episodes, she talks to what she refers to as her imaginary friends. We are worried about her anxiety over it all. How they will react if she gets stressed and starts talking while going through security and again the chaos of boarding the plane with everyone else. Think we might need this kind of help too.

 

[jo-jo]

Highly recommend pre-check for anyone with TSA issues. They're still gruff, it's still not fun, but it is SO much easier. Definitely worth the cost.

ETA: you don't get touched or need to take anything off- as soon as my ID is checked I put everything in my bag. Put the bag on the ramp, walk through, get bag on other end. This is pretty standard at all of the airports I've been to with the service. Do check to make sure that the airports you frequent provide it. There are other similar services, like CLEAR if that works better.

I've gone through pre-check and several times got patted down and had to take off my shoes (after I was chosen for pat down). Just having pre-check doesn't guarantee anything.

 

[DLgal]

We bought TSA Pre Check for my autistic son (he will be 14 in 2 days) a few months ago for our trip this year. It was a piece of cake to get the TSA Pre Check (I already had it and so does my husband through work). We had no issues using it the last several times at MCO (I took both my autistic sons through with me when they were both under 13). We will be signing up our 12 year old for it next year when he turns 13. It's invaluable. I recommend signing up your whole family.

 

[adelaster]

I've gone through pre-check and several times got patted down and had to take off my shoes (after I was chosen for pat down). Just having pre-check doesn't guarantee anything.

There are exceptions to everything. I fly pretty regularly to different airports and haven't yet encountered this- sorry you did. Was it the same airport each time? All I can contribute is I read the TSA site before travel and make sure I follow the rules/have empty pockets and haven't had an issue; hopefully most people experience the same. The worst experience I've had so far is when the pre-check line was closed at one place.

 

[jo-jo]

There are exceptions to everything. I fly pretty regularly to different airports and haven't yet encountered this- sorry you did. Was it the same airport each time? All I can contribute is I read the TSA site before travel and make sure I follow the rules/have empty pockets and haven't had an issue; hopefully most people experience the same. The worst experience I've had so far is when the pre-check line was closed at one place.

What you say is true, I just didn't want someone to think it would/could never happen to them.

I had empty pockets, etc ,..but just about everything but my left pinky was showing as needing a pat down.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

MCO is an awful airport to fly out of if you have ASD because they’re constantly rolling out new screening procedures and rules there, and the wait for security can get pretty bad/the general layout is not very good for sensory processing. I’d definitely contact TSA Cares a few days before your flight for assistance. I hope your airport experience goes well and without incident.

As a side note, I’m “high functioning” and it’s to the point now where I refuse to fly out of that airport and I’ll drive to Tampa or Ft Lauderdale because I’ve had so many bad experiences with the MCO TSA, though that was before I found out about the TSA Cares. I haven’t been willing to try flying out of there since I received that information.

I totally get overwhelmed by Mco security and I don’t have asd