Getting through Airport Security with a Developmentally Delayed teen

March 28, 2012

Hi friends,

I need some input from all you experts.....we are flying to Austin, TX

tomorrow (from California)...

Thanks to a suggestion of the FG Facebook page(the syndrome the andra

has been diagnosed with), I contacted the TSA Cares line, talked to 3

people so far....not sure if any of it has helped to calm my nerves about

getting andra through the TSA security. I have run the gambit of

emotions from total outrage that I have no control over what is done to my

child to a resolve that we will leave the airport before allowing some

strange TSA agent to pat her down....now that I have calmed down a little,

I realize that I must accept the fact that andra could have to have a

patdown if we want to fly with her. How do you explain this to a

developmentally delayed teen???? She wants to know the " whys " of going

through security now.....if I tell her it is to make sure no one has a bomb

or gun or knife that will only heighten her fears of getting on the

airplane! She has flown alot up to this point but never questioned the

security and also, the body scanners and pat-down of kids (or anyone else)

has gotten to be so much more invasive! AHHHH!

I would love some input on how you explain all this to your kids without

alarming them and how you prepared them for the possibility of a pat-down

search. We are headed to see our new granddaughter, I want this to be a

happy trip but so far I am a nervous wreck and convinced that I want to

give up flying altogether!

Thanks,

Jeane

Mom to andra (FG, 16, delayed, deaf, CVID and possible MDA)

PS- the other concerning issue is the sensory overload a pat-down would put

on her....she does not like anyone to touch her! If she gets hurt or needs

comfort, she has never allowed my husband and I to comfort her with a hug

or any kind of physical touch....so a pat-down??? REALLY??? How would I

explain that to TSA?? I have already tried but basically they don't care

despite their " TSA Cares " hotline!

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