Plane & Simple

So after much trepidation and worrying and loss of sleep I just experienced the best two plane rides of my life.

My child was so awesome- he was better behaved than other children at times! We had to awake super early this morning to get to the airport by 4:15 am. Brian waited in line to check-in and then led the way through security. He was taking his coat and his shoes off before I even had to ask him.

Our first plane was a smaller one from Maine to D.C. and there was a bit of turbulence. He wore his noise-cancelling headphones the entire trip and whimpered really softly during the bumpy spots. I never had to take out any toys or snacks. He was content to look out the window and snuggle. Throughout the trip he would look at me and put his finger over his mouth and say "Shhhh"- just like we practiced when reading our social story about flying.

Just as we started our descent, guess who had to pee? I had never wanted a plane to land so badly. All I could picture was him having an accident and just throwing off this wonderful mood we had going on. Luckily he was able to hold it until we got into the airport.

By the time we got to our next gate they were already boarding the plane. At this point Brian started to lose it a little bit. He didn't like the idea of getting on another one so soon. I started to get nervous as he wouldn't move any further up the plane aisle as I was trying to schlep aboard our rolling carry-on, backpack, purse,and booster seat. We finally made it to our seats and he settled in. Settled in to kicking the seat in front of him anyways.

I kept holding his feet and telling him to stop and yet he seemed to think it was a hilarious game. The stewardess saw us and said, "Sweetie, you need to stop kicking the seat", he didn't acknowledge her and kept on kicking. She repeated herself again and I interjected that he had autism. She paused for a minute and said, "Well he can't keep kicking the seat" and walked away. When I interject in situations like that I always think after how I wish I would have worded it differently. I didn't want her to think that because he has autism he can do whatever he wants- I merely said it so she would understand why he was acting as if she wasn't there. Luckily I was able to switch seats with him when I realized no one was sitting in front of my seat so he could kick away the rest of the ride.

But in reality, he fell asleep for the last two hours of the ride. It was wonderful. I couldn't have asked for an easier travel experience.

Wonders never cease. I am just so proud of him for getting through today with such a great attitude.