Originally Posted by Bart

Call your airline and explain your situation to them. It varies from airport to airport; however, many airlines do have ways to expedite passengers with special needs.

When you come to the security checkpoint, ask to speak with a supervisor and explain your situation to him or her. I'm assuming that you prefer to remain with your child throughout the process? Tell that to the supervisor.

Here's what should happen: TSA screeners should be able to accomodate you through the exit or lane designated for passengers with special needs. You should be able to remain with your child throughout the screening process. Probably the best thing to do is to have you screened first so that you can assist with screening your child. Be sure to explain to the screener anything that may be helpful in screening your child. (For example, best way to approach him and what things to avoid.) You should be able to coach your child through the process.

If you prefer that this screening be conducted in a private area out of public view, please tell that to the supervisor. Explain if it is okay to screen you first in the public area and then screen your child, with you present of course, in the private screening room. Most private screening rooms are small and not very accomodating, so it would help if you could get screened first so that nothing distracts your focus on your child. It may be that screening in a private room, especially a small, crowded one, may not be in your child's interest. These are things you need to consider.

I recommend you being screened first because screening is pretty disruptive to the routine that autistic children feel comfortable with no matter how accomodating or pleasant screeners attempt to be. After your child is screened, then you can remove him from the checkpoint quickly and do whatever you need to bring him back into his comfort zone. Otherwise, if you child has to wait for you to be screened after his experience, then it may create more stress and upset him even more. Ultimately, you know what's best, but this is my experience with children and adults in similar situations.

If anything happens that makes you concerned or worried, ask the screener to explain to you what he is doing and why he is doing it. I say this because your son will pick up on any stress you experience and become stressed himself. I also say this because that screener SHOULD be explaining everything to you beforehand.

Good luck. Hope all goes well.