As a parent of two autistic boys I always carry the medical papers necessary, but to be honest in a busy airport, that's going to be loud etc the airport staff will be able to tell who the auties are without needing papers, the meltdown and anxiety will be obvious :smiley:

This is the sort of thing that makes our lives a little easier and gives us a chance of "normal" stuff that is usually so far out of reach. Hopefully more airports etc will follow soon, thank you OP for highlighting this

I think this is fantastic.

I hope this helps anyone with autistic children, and also autistic adults.

Making holidays more accessible and as unstressful as possible is fantastic.

Well done Manchester airport!!

I've found this debate very interesting - it's surprising how many people feel ADHD doesn't exist and how many people feel that those with an invisible disability like autism should just suck it up.
My dad was recently diagnosed with ADHD by a brain specialist - it's not just naughty little boy syndrome as he'll be 60 on his next birthday - it's plagued him through his life, contributing to low self esteem and depression. How does it manifest itself on a man this age ? He has poor concentration, he seeks out danger in various forms and if I went into full detail of things he's done during the time I've known him your hair would curl just reading it. Did he go through the the process to get DLA ? No, he did it because he has tried to commit suicide twice last year and he wanted to get to the bottom of why he wasn't like 'normal' people. Is ADHD over diagnosed ? Probably, I would say like autism some day soon they will have to set a limit on how far up the spectrum you are before your diagnosed as we are all on the spectrum somewhere and it we all get diagnosed the people who are moderate to severe will miss out in help as all services will be oversubscribed.
As for autism, I have 2 boys on the spectrum, the oldest could queue without too much distress, his diagnosis is aspergers and he is on the mild/moderate side, is he running around feral, no he'll stand quietly, a little bit nervous and he'll shift from foot to foot as he finds standing still a challenge. My younger boys is 4, he finds it much more difficult, he didn't talk until he was almost 4, when he is excited or anxious he will check his knuckles until they are red raw, he still requires a buggy as he finds walking difficult - a place like the airport ( new, noise, bright etc ) will having him walking on his tiptoes and that makes him tired, even on a normal day he finds walking an effort and he cannot seems to simply walk, he jumps, skips, hops on one foot, this doesnt sound like a problem but can you imagine how tired you would get if you, jumped, ran, skipped and hopped everywhere you went ?
Will he be noisy ? While me and my husband will try to keep him calm and reassure him it is likely he will be noisier than an 'average' child, at home it's like his volume switch is stick on high, he is unable to whisper and finds it challenging to use an indoor voice - it's like he is totally unaware or unable to speak quietly.
I would use this service if it was available, if I was travelling with just the oldest I wouldn't feel the need.

To respond to the more controversial comments
Bruce - I can totally see what you mean, people think it's unthinkable to imagine that people seek out a diagnosis to get access to benefits, I think it is unthinkable that people would pretend they are from a broken relationship to get another social house so they can both claim they are single and maximise the benefits they get but unfortunately it happens daily. People would do anything for 'free money'

As for northerndave, I'm hoping your just a troll, trying to stoke up some hatred from hiding behind your keyboard. If this is a view that you would express in a crowded room full of actual, real people I fear that if we ever where to meet things might get unpleasant to say the least.

As for the other snobs who feel these feral children are ruining my holiday and imagine I actually paid to get fast track - all I can say is let's hope you are blessed with a child with autism or similar difficulties, perhaps it would give you a different outlook on life. If having more people fast tracked is such a massive Inconvience you feel the need to come on Internet boards and berate those living with an invisible disability all I can say is wow, you really are shallow.

And to all those others who have made abusive comments I would say would you say it in the real world, if not please don't say it here, behind our keyboard we are all real people, and it would seem quite a few here live with these trials every day - don't judge us and our children ( and fathers in my case ) until you've walked a mile in our shoes.

Cracking find and very hot. I work with autistic children and this sounds an extremely good idea, which I hope other airports copy.

Sorry didn't mean to sound flippant.

I should have said try Delhi airport!

As a dad with a child with PMLD/severe special needs, all I can say is AMEN to that. I am not as eloquent as you, you've put down exactly how I and many other similar parents are made to feel on a daily basis by the vileness of some members of our society.

1) it was over a year ago.
2) yes. You're obviously far more travelled than I.

For anyone flying to Larnaca, ask your airline or holiday reo to organise special assistance for you, its great also even if your child is able bodied we've found using an airport wheelchair keeps our son much calmer.

The wristband is great, we used it last time we flew from Manchester with our autistic son Heat added :smile: . We fly again next week so emailed for the wristband again and got this response:

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the Autism Awareness scheme. This scheme has now ceased and as from the 1st April 2017, Manchester Airport working in partnership with OCS will introduce their None Visible Disability Initiative- Sunflower Campaign.

This service can offer you a special lanyard, pin ribbon or badge to wear on your journey through our airport. This will identify you to staff as someone who may need additional support or understanding. Our staff have been specially trained to recognise the lanyards and act accordingly.

To pick up a lanyard at Manchester, please go to one of our Assistance Reception areas which are situated in the check in halls of all Terminals. OCS will be happy to give you a lanyard, even if you haven't requested or need special assistance. Alternatively these lanyards can be requested via OCS by emailing.[email protected]

I trust the above information is of some help to you. If you require further assistance please do not hesitate in contacting me.

We will be picking up a lanyard from the airport on the day we fly, seems like a good option really as the wristband was easily missed under jackets etc.

I would just like to say Manchester Airport was great with us, we have just came back from Mexico yesterday with family and 2 kids one 6 and one 15 months.
There was 12 of us for daughters wedding and they fast tracked us through, excellent work guys and thank you for making our stay in your airport easier.
Heat added

Wow you really need to get out in the world there are much much worse!

Does the minority that may abuse such things mean it shouldn't exist? That's a ludicrous comment please wind your neck in.
That's like saying cancel all disabled benefits as some people have been caught abusing the system!

That's great news hopefully airports around the world will follow.

They have been doing this for years.
Last year they had a wrist band, this year they have a something that hangs round they're neck.
Excellent service, straight through.

Just had an email from Manchester Airport to confirm they no longer offer that Autism awareness scheme

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the Autism Awareness scheme. This scheme has now ceased, but Manchester Airport are currently working in partnership with OCS to introduce their non-visible disability initiative; Sunflower Campaign.

As part of this service you'll receive a special lanyard and pin ribbon or badge to wear on the journey through our airport. This will identify Sunflower Campaign passengers to staff as being someone who may need additional support or understanding. Our staff have been specially trained to recognise the lanyards and act accordingly.

To pick up a lanyard, please go to one of our assistance reception areas which are situated in the check in halls of all terminals. OCS will be happy to give you a lanyard, even if you haven't requested or need special assistance.

I trust the above information is of some help to you. If you require further assistance, please do not hesitate in contacting us again.

Kind regards,

John Wilson
Customer Feedback Case Manager
Manchester Airports Group (M.A.G)

Here is the link for the special assist hidden disability fast track lanyards !!
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/special-assistance/hidden-disabilities/

This has been going on for a long time.

You're not far off !
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/airports-10-worst-world-gatwick-stansted-manchester-edinburgh-a7786991.html

Also worth mentioning at Manchester is that if you've got a kids buggy/pram you can't use fast track as they need to scan the buggy and that's on an isle that is different to fast track. Fast track + buggy = incompatible.

Will those children including my own have the same fast track treatment coming back from our destination I wonder

Good to see some support

hot needs to be every airport

Fortunately, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (among others) disagrees with you - try reading it, as you may learn something important.

Many many times. Pain in the @rse walking to terminal 3, but other than that is fine.

Yeah, to Dubai... have you flown from Manchester?

Lol

Great find OP and well done to Manchester airport for doing this

Will this not encourage terrorists to kidnap autistic children?:confused:

nice information

This is a good idea which with the right checks in pkace will go a long way to help autistic people at airports. As comments show, the public can be very ignorant of hidden disabilities like autism. I've worked with autistic children in their early teens and been challenged at parks and playgrounds by parents/ grandparents of other children telling me I shouldn't be using the playground with children who are displaying what is typically autistic behaviour like boisterousness and, to some, inappropriate loud screaming. When I've informed complainers of the children's special needs I have the same answer several times...' They look normal to me'..very sad indeed

While I like the idea of this, you can just pay for it.

And that is the reason people get dla/pip. To pay for things that your disability means you need,that you would not normally need etc.

ADHD 'exists' because it's a word used to describe a collection of symptoms.
It could also be applied to 'a naughty child' showing the same behaviour.

It wasn't... until you told everyone that the two shade-blue wrist band meant the wearer was 'a special'.
:wink:

Have you flown from Luton?

Manchester Airport is quite possibly the worst airport in the world so anything that makes it slightly more bearable for anybody has to be a good thing...

I agree but unfortunately everybody has an opinion but again, unfortunately, not everybody has the intelligence to put across these opinions in a manner as to not offend or sound ignorant!

Well, I commented on this 'deal' when it first showed up on HUKD with my points of interests as I am a manager of the Special Assistance (PRM) team in a UK airport.

I cannot believe how much interest this 'deal' has sparked but also the naivety and intolerance it shows in certain individuals!

Autism is a very real condition and is not as simple as some of you ignorant people believe. it is called a spectrum as it is so complex and varied, as the person states above who has 2 children on either end of the spectrum herself.

I work very closely with a charity called Autism Puzzles and have undergone Autism Awareness training aswell as all of my team and is gradually going out to all staff at our Airport because it is so important to have at least a basic understanding of this. This training has opened our eyes even further to this aswell as other hidden disibilities we neuro - typical people take for granted.

to all you mindless ignorant individuals out there who have no or little understanding I would just like to say that this is not going away and Infact is going to get even more previlant especially in UK airports as the CAA push and drive hidden disabilities, which i for one think is actually I long time in coming but better late than never. so you had better get used to it!

Manchester Airport have done a fantastic job in promoting this service but Infact this has been set up in most, if not all UK airports since 2008. they also do things slightly different to most but this is probably due to the vast size of the airport and number of assistance passengers they have each year. the airport where I manage this department has free fast tracking and we do not require any information from you as to whether you have a condition or not. now yes this does unfortunately mean we do get some passengers who may not actually require any assistance but that is just a small percentage compared to those who actually do require it and is not a huge burden. if assisting them means that we can assist those who do require it then so be it.

I have tried to keep my emotions out of this but it is extremely difficult for me as I have been doing this for nearly 9 years now and do believe it is a fantastic service across the board. the amount of passengers I have assisted who have said 'we would not be able to travel without you' is unreal and really makes it hit home just how important we are!

to all those who deal with autism, and other hidden and non hidden disabilities on a daily basis, please try and ignore the idiots out there. unfortunately they are not going away and never will, it's just how it is! I do not wish any bad feelings o to anyone but if they had to deal with what you have to, they would most definitely think differently!

I have also purposely not mentioned which Airport I work for but if you do want to know any further information, or would like what we call a familiarisation, please feel free to message me privately!

Wow some of you really are on your high horses on here!

The shocking thing about this particular thread is the number of people banned for saying unpopular things...

Regardless of what they say everybody has an equally valid opinion - mark my words we are walking into a totalitarian stalinist police state when everybody becomes so self righteous that they feel one person's opinion is worth less than another!

I feel exactly the same and thanks for writing it so clearly for people who can not see beyond their noses. I have an autistic 12 year old, not badly behaved, but walking problems, fidgety, scared by noise and brightness, can't understand the waiting etc etc... And it is stressful in the airport, because I go once in a year and a half to visit my old mother and have to change aeroplanes and have long stop-overs in the middle of the night! Wish all airports did this.

G
It is an everyday fashion wrist band in 2 shades of blue and has Manchester airport on it.
So it is not putting any one in a box.

There does not seem much hope for society after reading through this thread.

There seems to be a number of amateur psychologists pointing out ADHD and in some cases Autism diagnosises have been made up or that these conditions do not exist. They most certainly do.

As most people who have auitism have constantly high levels anxiety moving through the airport without having to queue is a plus point. They are in fight or flight (excuse pun) mode as per norm – so adding extra anxiety into the mix is the issue for most – adult or child with the condition.

The bright lights, noises and smells of airport can raise those levels way off the scale.

Someone has commented on mis-diagnose, yes possible – but there are many more who have been missed.
As for school funding – not at all easy – getting an assessment, even as a child is hard (two year waiting list in most areas) but as an adult unless you go privately very hard, if not near impossible.

Most schools would have to apply to local authority for extra funding for teaching assistants, extra and they will be turned down without stacks of supporting evidence. And they have to go through this for each pupil.
I read that some people believe you can be mildly autistic – you either are or aren’t – how it affects the individual is probably the main consideration.

And as for disability benefits these are not awarded on having autism – rather on how you cope with day to day life which applies to everyone, diagnose or not.

It is a hidden disability in most cases, but certainly really.

Please excuse the standard of my literacy but I have autism, adhd and dyslexia amongst other things. So do my son and my wife has ADHD – all very real and debilitating.

Oh my; that's not very politically correct... I invoke Godwin!

We used this last year and will be using again this year, you are issued with a wrist band for the person with autism to wear, you then use the fast track lane, all security measures are still in place .
My son had a much better airport experience which in turn made our time in the airport less stressful.

First off, I think this is great for the affected children, it can make a difference. I have voted cold though because Autism is a life long condition, and does not just suddenly stop when people have reached adulthood. I am recently diagnosed Autistic adult, and have been shocked how majority of support is targeted at children or youths. For some Autistic adults something like this could make the difference between being enabled to use air travel and open up the freedom that provides.

Useful info for some people but 2k+ of heat?

Praise Allah for this killer deal, I have autism that's severe.

Pratt.

The mad thing is is we did this to animals we'd get done for it. However, parents of autistc kids are allowed to boil them alive inside acid vats of sensory overload with no comeback.

I bet if the parents were forced into spending hours and hours in their own personal hell, it would stop happening.

Please, have some respect for your kids and try to make their lives as happy as possible.

You miss the point of my post.
I am sorry if it offended you so much.
Perhaps you need a 'Gratitude Journal'.

We are NOT all equal, that's a ridiculous statement. I find your post over the top and slightly vomit inducing.

Good deal. Although, people don't miss a chance to be self righteous when kids are involved.

If someone suggests that people who should not be eligible for this discretion might take advantage of this, they are not having a go at you are your child. If someone playfully makes a pun on 'artistic' they are not attacking you or your child. Having a child with a behavioral/mental health/genetic issue is not an excuse for lacking a sense of humour and perspective.

Good luck to all that this helps out. Voted hot.

ok, sounds good then, I didn't read all 500 comments, mental health are such a mine field, I have anger management issues, nobody feels sorry for the way my brain is wired, they think I'm a pratt.

The information pack that is sent out is also fantastic , this explains what happens to baggage etc.. as I know this also can be a worry to some children .

airport security is not compromised in anyway , they still go through security but don't have to face the queue ! everything else is the same x with the exception of we can choose to board the plane first or last which ever causes the least disruption to the child.

COLD, would rather a couple of kids get cranky at the check in queue, than airport security is compromised at this time of hightened terror alert.

The beautiful and impossibly talented Jasmine Lucilla Elizabeth Jennifer van den Bogaerde - “Birdy”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhZVKYV8kGw
Yet David Toole is the real star in this video.
We all have something to offer in life, we are all equal, whether a beautiful singer or disabled dancer.

This has been going on for some time. I work for a child psychiatrist not far from Manchester Airport and we often get requests from our patients for letters for airports, theme parks i.e. Alton Towers and anything else that involves queuing, crowds etc.

People are so ignorant in our society and some of them choose to stay the same. Its really depressing. I am a father of an autistic 5 year old boy. He appears like any other normal kid but his intellectual abilities are that of a 2 year old. He goes to regular school, we never know what his day was like in school as he can never tell us. He does talk a lot, most of it is repetition and whatever is stuck in his mind. Cant have a focussed conversation with eye to eye contact with him. We travel every year and this will hopefully come in handy as I never knew about it. Thanks OP.

if you contact them with diagnosed letter I am sure they will help , they are very good . They help us with our son who has ADHD !

And to those with negative comments about any condition regarding children or adults please do not comment unless you actually live with it !

This can also be used for children with ADHD - ADHD is a neurological condition - which often comes along with co-morbs such as autism / anxiety/tourette's/ anxiety . I used this last year and will be using it again . Nope my child is not naughty but he can not cope with situations that are extremely crowded / ends up with sensory overload , it's a case of not coping and this valuable service can help in avoiding a meltdown. I provided diagnosis letter form psychologist as we do not receive DLA . Hats off to manchester airport for understanding what these kids go through and helping them to cope.

Top post, admire any family coping with autism.

My son is autistic too and because of this service I decided to fly from Manchester airport than London. They are quite friendly people. Drop them a line using their website and they will send you an airport boolet with arm band (with "Special Flyer" written on it). The Airport staff all know about it. If you are stuck on a queue you can make them aware of your kids condition and they will certainly help.

Having travelled only last month I only have very positive experience and all good words to say about them. I wish other airports will follow suit.

With regards to the negative comments I feel we parents will have to learn to live with it as there will be fools everywhere. Last year we visited Thomas land (Drayton Manor) and used the armband facility they have for autistic kids. The amounts of negative comments (behind our backs) we went through is unimaginable. The best way to deal is to IGNORE.....thats what I have learnt.

Good to see this as Airports are very stressful places these days and anything that makes that better has to be a good thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbc_LxfhSoY
Very very HOT.
Much respect to parents,relatives and carers of autistic children and adults, love and peace.
Don't forget the autistic cinema evening offer too. I may well go myself I find films far too loud.

So much heat, debate and heated debate over a non deal

It's a shame, the negative comments on here, Autistic Adults are among the highest group of society to commit suicide because of this lack of understanding and general intolerance to people with neurological disorders.

great post heat added, pity about the negative rubbish spouted by some, this is a site so people can help each other find bargains, not an extension of twitter

You work in a proffession that gives out dodgy letters? very strange post and very strange views, do you read the daily mail or sun by any chance lol

Err the button at the bottom says "post comment"
You don't have to have an invite to reply.
You don't need to keep posting in upper case, we can tell your angry.:wink:

I know so i am glad my kid can fast track so he can draw some nice pictures! Crazy system though!

Artistic kids paint a picture of the destination that they would like to visit - but then cannot afford to fly to. :wink:

My Kid is quite artisitic how does this work?

We registered for this service last summer, and were a little disappointed when we tried to use it. My son was given a blue wrist band to wear so he could be easily identified, and was also sent a booklet about the airport which was great. Our experience however wasn't so great. He wore the wrist band and not one member of staff seemed to know what it was for, even in security. Hopefully a year on and things will have improved as I think it is a great thing to offer.

Dear me, calm down.
Its a post on the internet.
:confused:

Calm down, he is trolling clearly,

But for the record I wouldn't change my autistic kids, its who they are, might give my youngest the ability to wait in a line though lol. but none of my children are naughty, with my eldest its social integration he struggles with..

But I wish people woudl stop comparing ADHD and Autism,

ADHD is an attention problem, Autism is a neurological Disorder with a massive spectrum from severe mental impairments to basic social problems.

As the late MJ would say "Bloody Ignorance is all it is, Chamone"

I definitely agree that children without a head shouldn't be expected to queue.

Calm down, you're getting angry at a post that was made 8 months ago.

amazing! thank you for sharing this

My experience is that airport staff at the special assistance desk is in general very helpful if you explain the situation and ask them nicely. It depend what kind of support you need. Anything special requires you to call the airport beforehand and arrange it.

For example these definitely need to be arranged for:
- people in wheelchairs can get a lift arranged to enter the plane
- people that cannot walk well can usually be taken through security (fast tracked as well) and to the gate by airport staff.
- special seats in the airplane (two rows of seats in the front are quite often reserved for disabled people on Ryanair flights)

If you have a serious problem and haven't arranged for anything they can usually still help you to some degree. I have been let through the fast track queue a few times because I cannot walk very well.

Don't waste your time in replying to such comments it's not worth our time!

I actually called Ryan air and explained about my sons autism and difficulties he has they were so good on our flight back we were moved to front of the plane where it was all the seats were empty and he had an amazing flight back considering this was his first flight we were very anxious as he had only been on the plane as a baby it was very positive experience for us airport staff were also fantastic. This was at stansted airport.

And Im not buying into this stupidity nonsense. The like of this ignorance. That's just people being incredibly selfish.

I have two children that are on the autistic spectrum. My daughter she is well behaved (in fact better behaved then my children that are not on the spectrum) and a very high achiever at school. My son is non-verbal and is naughty. The clue is in the word spectrum.

Went through Manchester Airport yesterday. 1.5 hr queue for the bag drop at British Airways, five minute queue to get through security. It's been a long time since I've had anything more worse than a 15 minute queue for security, probably before the refurbs and extensions that happened around five or six years ago.

All well and good, but how about helping us families afflicted with Tourette's Syndrome.

The funny thing about autism and autistic kids, is they will often do silly things that get themselves noticed. Oh wait!

Welcome to HUKD :smirk:

That is not common sense. Its an ignorant comment about 2 (very different) complex psychological conditions.

You agreeing with it shows you up as ignorant as well.

AGREE 100% About time someone applied some common sense.

Just strange to resurrect an old thread, why not submit it new, its over 30 days.

Autism Awareness Week is next week. Maybe a pre-emptive pick by HUKD?

Brilliant idea.Is it just children or adults too?

Not sure it's a "deal" either, more informational....

This is 8 months old, yet is a HUKD Pick?

You don't know much about autism do you? Not every autistic child is hyperactive and they are not "these people", as for allowing them to fly...I'd rather sit on a plane full of autistic people than one single individual with this kind of attitude. The airport we fly from does not offer fast track as standard, however we can go to the disability desk with no queue, have access to a separate waiting area and be boarded on the plane before everyone else. In fact on each of the 4 flights my autistic son has been on, the airline staff have commented on how well behaved he has been and said that they wished all children could travel in the same manner. If it were not for the special assistance program though it would be complete chaos.

This should be in every airport.

This is NOT a service which just applies to Manchester airport. It is a service that ALL European (including the UK) airports and airlines provide and it has been running for some time. You don't even need proof. Anyone who has a disability, whether a physical disability or a learning disability can access this service. You do need to book it though to guarantee the service.

My son will be 16 when we travel. Does anyone know the age limit ?

all Airports offer this service and there will be info on their website.

asking for proof is not necessary and should not be asked for at any level! assistance is a free indiscriminate service readily available at all airports!

im actually surprised that Manchester Airport are allowed to ask this and that fast track is not already a free service?!

Fast track to getting them groped by G4S mercenaries, the company that aid the terrorist state of Israel. They just can't wait to get their hands on your vulnerable kids.

Make sure you're not carrying any deadly weapons like a nail clipper and take your shoes off like a good compliant citizen.

I really hope that when we get to fly off later this year, having paid £20 for a family of 6 to use fast-track that we are not held up by a bunch of hyper active 'autistic' kids. Fast-track is the worst place for these people, they should have their own dedicated lane, away from being able to hold-up normal travellers. Far too many diagnosis of autism, adhd etc in this country.

But then again, if a child can't cope with a little queueing, can they really cope with a metal tube packed to the rafters with people? Should severely autistic children even be allowed to fly?

I applied for this and had to send the diagnosis letter from my sons' specialist or his dla letter. I also had to say what date and terminal we were travelling from. It will be a massive help to us and I applaud Manchester Airport :smiley: Thanks op

I am a little autistic (honestly) and I have been ignoring the staff and using the fast track lane at Gatwick for years.

ITT (in this thread) comments full of garbage on both sides. Nothing to see here. Carry on.

Honestly this site is turning into Facebook, and it's not a good thing.

Well done Manchester airport. Just flew out of Gatwick and was surprised by the families security section- no queue and super friendly staff. I hope more airports begin to make this kind of effort

Same service at Birmingham Airport, very well organised and polite staff too. They've lots of experience with Autism and they have specialist staff.

You're crackers! Seriously bad reading or comprehension skills. Either way, you're not worth my time. Have a good 'un

I travel the world regularly and whilst this seems to be very considerate on the surface it's got more to do with the fact that Manchester airport is just about the worst airport I have ever used. Huge queues in check in, departures and immigration, I avoid at all costs now.

You brought up the holocaust unnecessarily to be told that you are right, gain sympathy and an apology.
I merely stated that you and people like you instrumentalise the holocaust for your own benefit and non Jewish don't owe you any apology.
I wasn't around at the time of the holocaust, so I don't see why I should feel guilty.
Besides, if you're not Jewish your use of the 'holocaust card' is even more shameful; using someone else's suffering for your own benefit.
Shocking!

I'll stick with what I said. No one has asked you to apologise but you seem be to doing anyway. Feeling guilty much?

For those who think that children shouldn't fly,you forget one thing,a great number of flights wouldn't even exist if it weren't for families with children as there wouldn't be the numbers to make the flights worth while,especially in the 6 weeks school holidays when extra flights are put on.so you could argue that at certain times of the year people without children are flying on flights put on for families and not that they are intruding on your flight.

As said, I won't apologise for something I haven't done, so I don't understand why you say I am an apologist for fascists and racists.
BTW, you should say nazist, not fascist.
Document yourself on the difference and you won't make the same mistake again.

If you could read you would notice that I said to Cavity: "You make the holocaust a laughable event by bringing it up in every discussion".
I didn't say: "The holocaust is a laughable event", but as your brain can only process three words every 15 minutes, you must be forgiven.

Very ironic

Just so you all know, Ladies and Gents, Spark's profile location is listed as...'Outside Jedward's caravan with a harpoon gun' and the vast majority of his deals are based around children's computer games...

How beautifully ironic that he isn't intelligent enough to realise his hypocrisy in having a problem with troubled children...

As a parent, nobody wants there child to be on the special needs register but if they are then any help is grateful. My son is currently borderline & I am discussing his needs with the school / children's services. Fast tracking at an airport won't push me to register him as special needs !!! Get a grip & note that your comments are hurtful to parents of children who do a wonderful job looking after their child who has further needs. You have no idea ! This may be a free society but some comments are disgraceful. You really are low life !

One can only hope.

'Most of society'? News flash - most people have children.

You're talking out of your ****.

No, the problem is that people can say anything behind a computer screen and not be held accountable for their actions. One day that will change, and boy, let me tell you, there will be far less people like you plaguing society.

You don't give a toss about other people, why should other people give a toss about you? Why do you think anyone would want to change their plans or deprive their children for you? Who are you? Why are you special?

Seems to me you have a condition here - even dealing with the IDEA of a flight full of children seems to bring on an onset of crying and whining. I'd hate to be on a plane with you, you're worse than a naughty child.

Gosh, so much anger in an otherwise helpful thread.

Some people need to seriously take a chill pill :wink:

And what exactly guarantees you a peaceful trip? Just because you paid for a plane ticket does not mean you have the right to demand peace and quiet. You paid to get from point A to point B, that's all. If you don't like that, maybe you should work harder and get a better job so you can afford a private plane, instead of moaning and whining. You talk about your parents raising you right, but all I'm seeing is a self-entitled whiner, so I'd say they did a pretty **** poor job.

FYI, I don't like jack **** using their phones on public transport and would love to ban them from it to have a peaceful and quiet journey, but unfortunately, I can't do that. So what do I do? I buy a car and stop trying to impose my small-minded self-entitled restrictions on other people.

MODS, are you going to do something about Spark? or is it completely OK for it to throw nasty opinions around, yet others cannot? I have seen members banned for less! its clearly trolling for trolling sake.

Bloody hell what a nutcase!
Jimmy 2007 you are the first person I've ever heard call the holocaust a 'laughable event'

Lol. What on earth are you on about?

You fool, I was raised in a Catholic environment so who's playing the victim card here? You've gone off on a tangent. I agree. No one should apologise for things they haven't done or are not in any way themselves responsible. But to highlight Islamophobia, anti-semitism or any other discrimination as simply playing a 'victim card' shows just how ignorant you are about the world around you.

I have nothing to be ashamed about. You should be ashamed for being an apologist for fascists and racists. Get a grip and more importantly, get a life!

To be honest, fast track isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Security personnel often overly thoroughly check those using fast track so as not to let anyone 'slip through the net'. The same goes for turning up late to the airport - a common tactic by drug smugglers - and well known by security. Be ready for questions like 'what is the purpose of your trip' and 'where are you staying', as well as extra swabs of your electronics or liquids, and maybe extra pat downs. While getting from the back of the main queue to the end of security might take longer, the actual process of being screened is, in my experience, more arduous through fast track.

I read all of them.
Shame on you and anyone else playing the holocaust, islamophobia, racist and any other card just to accomplish the feeling of being right.
I despise people like that and here is my line: I will never apologise to anyone for something I have not done, whether is holocaust, religious prosecution or anything else.
So I suggest you take your useless comments about unrelated subjects to other forums, where you will find people moaning about being victimised every minute of their sad existence.
Get a grip, nobody will respect you more if you play your victim card at every occasion, they will just walk away and despise you.

Excellent initiative but I have travelled with my brother's family, including a 5 year old girl, a couple of times recently through Manchester airport and they have been fast tracked without her being autistic - the question was never asked

My son has autism - and to lighten the tone a bit & give some proof of anxiety, here is what he did at Bristol Airport once.

He was about 7 so that makes his bro 5 and his sister 3 - I was travelling with them on my own as my wife was working.

We got through Security, walked on, then Son #1 did a big runner, just twisted free & ran like hell, of course I had the other two to think about as well.

So he escaped Airside & I didn't have a clue where he was.

After a minute or so I asked some kind person to keep an eye on the other 2 for a few minutes and ran back to Security. Yes, they said, your son just ran back like a demon. They let me back through to look for him as I was carrying passports & boarding passes.

It took 20 minutes but I did actually find him & haul him back through Security & obviously all ended well & we all got the flight.

But don't tell me or any other parent of autistic children that they don't get anxious, the critics out there.

Try reading a few posts before you go off on one....

Fast track staff are more than capable of sorting the needy from the chaff?
This is a good for parents with autistic children a little help goes along way.

Reading your comment you've taken it a little too personally. An OT will review and assess a lot of cases, he'll see first hand that half if not most of the kids are without an 'ism'.
Remember, after all this is still benefit Britain and as long as the Tories and Labour remain in power it shall remain. Anything that has any benefit atached to it will be exploited by the scrotes, but please, don't take things so personally.
If your daughter has needed the OT input that you have written about she clearly requires assistance and the comments are not aimed at genuine people such as yourself. :smiley:.

I find you the idiot as you clearly can't think for yourself. Quite an easy, basic thought process that you couldn't do for yourself....IDIOT

What is anti-Semitism and islamophobia got to do with this???
You guys are sick and a disgrace to your group.
Why do you have to play your "victim" card at every opportunity?
We're talking about boarding a flight with people affected by autism, nothing to do with Islam, Jews, christians or anything else.
I bet you now want an apology for the holocaust, 65 odd years down the line, from people who were not there and are at fault just because they're not Jewish.
You make the holocaust a laughable event by bringing it up in every discussion.
Be a decent person, remember and don't hate everyone that is not Jewish.
Most importantly, you're not due a daily apology from non Jewish.

But without a diagnosis you are very unlikely to get it. In my experience the parents seek a diagnosis and once they have it over exaggerate the needs in order to get DLA. This is easy once a diagnosis is received. Have seen it many times, unfortunately.

Similar experiences here, to be fair. Parents want the child to have an "ism" in order to claim more benefits. Seen it time and time again. Shocking, really. Feel sorry for those with a genuine condition.

Goodness me I think you need a little education. I am very thankful that your family of 6 is perfect in every way in your eyes but it is shameful that you are prepared to admit that people who are less than perfect in your eyes should be hidden away so as not to offend you or upset you. Have you ever thought about trying to offer to help a struggling parent with a child with issues whether autistic or not or do you just stand by tutting. Your partner must also be very special working as an OT condemning parents trying to get some help and understanding to their child's behaviour instead of trying to help. I have to say that the OT who helped my daughter with her sensory issues and balance problems was fantastic. I didn't get a diagnosis to get state help, I don't need it and I don't want it. I got help because I had a very scared 5 year old girl who was unable to cope with life. Now through educating myself I have a much happier calmer girl who is excelling at school and life. She is never hyper active but then a lot of autistic children aren't. Plus just for your knowledge ADHD is a completely separate condition to autism and aspergers is the same as high functioning autism. I really hope you take something from this and maybe open your mind a little to the wonderful diverse people we have living in our world because we really can learn a lot of things from them including a little humility and generosity of spirit.

I've used this several times at Manchester as my parents live in France and it has been invaluable in helping my daughter get through the journey. You can also ask to move to the front of the check in queue. Staff have also asked if she would like to be boarded first so she has time to settle on the plane. I would always choose Manchester to fly from purely because of this scheme so it has to be good for business. Well done Manchester Airport it's a fantastic scheme.

Anti-Islam - 19.9 million
Anti-Muslim - 24.7 million
Anti-christian - 40.2 million

Funnily enough anti-religion - 35.9 million
Atheist - 30 million

So we learnt that google apparently hates christians the most. :stuck_out_tongue:

They do agree on that, everyone does. As the example of breast cancer shows, incidence of breast cancer appeared to increase but it didn't shoot up and up and up. It shot up with screening and remains at similar levels. The poster couldn't really put it better, autism is a very broad condition and as we understand it more then more informed diagnoses can be made which means rates creep up. It still correlates with the change in diagnostic criteria and increase in public awareness that started in the 80s.

It certainly is not equal to say diagnostic improvements are as likely as a trigger. Any ideas what could be triggering this if so? There has been some research, the main risk factor seems to be a mixture of complex genetic factors and interactions.

Bit weird that you used google searches to try to prove your point, but yeah if you want to play it that way, only 2.3 compared to the 8 million+ for anti-semitism. Says it all really.

Do you have any proof that they are effected in a negative way ?

Everyone on the plane is affected, ergo all.

You can say it again,and again,and again,it won't change a thing,your going to have to live with it or not fly.

oh and you are not ALL.

My partner is an OT and the stories she tells me about all the parents trying to get a spurious autism, Aspergers or ADHD diagnosis are horrifying. Clearly the care packages and benefits available for a positive diagnosis are driving a lot of these parents. The last 15 years have been a disaster for the UK as welfare policy has created an enormous number of citizens only interested in what they can get for nothing. The fact that over 50% of the population are net receipients from the state is truly shocking and finally Government seems to be waking up to the crazy state of affairs promising to announce reductions in welfare this week.

Having a diagnosis would make no difference to the payment of DLA. It's paid (or not) based on the care needs not what labels are handed out.

Spark, I honestly don't see a spark.

i think its easy to tell the genuine parents/kid from the fakers as the fakers will be busy face-booking while their kids run about like wild animals
we used the fast track last year as my wife was on crutches and for the genuine ones out there that will use it its a godsend for less able bodied, mentally or physically, out there. good luck to those who are brave enough to travel in such circumstances and for those that it ll inconvenience, just pre book your seats, use online check-in and hang back, no real waiting when you do this anyway and chill, your on holiday :smiley:

True, and not only for autism but other conditions and disabilities will also be catered for at most UK airports. Already happens with wheelchairs and other physical disabilities.Ring ahead for airport assistance and explain what you need.

well done Manchester airport for stepping up not been away for a while because nothing is in place for us. People with autism don't have any support and this WILL be a big help and support for them that need it fantastic i feel more relaxed and happier now i know that's there thanks

Used this last year, it was fantastic and meant that our holiday started off in a positive way because my son (diagnosed Aspergers) was spared of the agonizingly difficult queue in the security and terminal etc. his anxiety levels were much reduced which meant he coped fairly well with the plane travel too! Thanks manchester (wish it was offered at Liverpool too ... )

Wow! What a hoot this has been. Read the whole 13 pages and still dunno what to think. The main disagreement appears to be everybody speaking from their own perspective and doing little to understand what somebody else might be having to deal with.

It's a totally legit point about holidays being a luxury. I've not been on one in 20 years coz going abroad is quite expensive for the low income. I'd be pretty miffed if I had to deal with unruly kids after forking out for a relaxing holiday. That said, after reading the comments from parents it sounds like dealing with autism is not only horrendous- it's never ending!

I think if I had an autistic child I would avoid things as superfluous as flight abroad and maybe try other things that wouldn't be such an ordeal. People are people and they will find a way to justify any behaviour. I think after reading what parents have been through I'll try to be a bit more forgiving- it must be so hard to deal with.

Well, there IS a rise in diagnosed cases. That is a fact on which I think we all agree.

Whether this is down to Doctors diagnosing more cases or whether there simply are more cases, that is the question and I'm not sure much investigation has been done with respect to this.

People assume diagnostic techniques have improved but equally it could be something that is triggering this.

Bruceboy - please grow up. I have an autistic daughter and she finds life extremely challenging. Life is hard enough for her without idiots like you making out that autism is another reason to get on the freeloading bandwagon. Your comments are extremely insensitive and hurtful to those who have autistic children. I wouldn't wish it for her but it is part of life and anything which makes life that little bit easier for her, and indeed any autistic children or adults, is most welcome.

OK, is that in public only, or in general? If the latter, how does one learn to speak, exactly?

Also, you haven't addressed my question about adult nuisance fliers - should these also be banned?

And would you extend your utopian travel philosophy to other forms of public transport? No teenagers on buses for instance (and definitely not on the top deck)?

As long as this moron is not the pilot - you should be fine:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3075027/The-bizarre-terrible-moment-family-taken-airplane-police-pilot-says-didn-t-feel-comfortable-flying-autistic-teenager-wanted-food.html

How about just stopping the security theater for everyone..

Both conversations are hard to stomach. Much like a bile reflux.

:laughing: I wondered how long it would take for that discussion to come up.

[ http://www.hotukdeals.com/misc/commiserations-scroungers-2202883?p=25068046 ]

Come on spark, why just confine your distaste to children? Haven't you ever been on a flight with a drunken foul-mouthed stag party? A screeching hen party? The cackling group of saga-lout grannies discussing their Tena-lady issues? The self-styled high-flying businessman talking to an unfortunate and completely disinterested neighbour about how successful they are in a voice JUST loud enough to ensure everyone else can hear?

Not to mention the incessant cabin-crew announcements? These are all part of flying, and all seem perfectly placed to wind up your hyper-sensitive need for calm.

Come on fella, let rip...or are you just anti-children? Seen and not heard, that sort of thing? Bit of a Victorian chap?

Fill us in. The world wants to know.

I definitely am not advocating imprisonment for autistic children. :laughing:

This is not the norm.
You're talking about a special school not corrupt.
I'm talking about the other schools where a large number of kids are diagnosed as having something wrong with thhem when in fact they're perfectly normal.
So the school gets the extra funds but doesn't provide the extra teachers because the kids are normal and don't need extra support.

That you would like autistic kids imprisoned?

When an adult becomes intoxicated on a flight and causes trouble, that adult is usually the subject of legal action and even arrest.

Your child (and other kids) are free to cause whatever hell they like on planes without any fear of retribution against either them or you. I'm not saying they should be imprisoned for that obviously but I think you see my point.

I do think the comments from jonknight73 on the previous page summarise this argument beautifully though.

He acknowledges that his son has problems that could result in anti-social behaviour but would be quite content to subject a plane load of innocent passengers to what could be 8 hours of hell just so that his son could go to Disney World. In return he expects patience, understanding and, to some degree, financial help from the rest of the population.

Attitudes like this are why a lot of people really dislike a lot of modern British parents and are why some airlines now restrict children on their flights and adult-only hotels and resorts have started to become more popular.

As I've said, it doesn't affect me personally as much anymore because I don't usually take the kind of flights that appeal to families or kids.

I have had to sit on flights before with screaming kids though and it's a thoroughly unpleasant experience that I wouldn't wish on anybody.

If you don't like it then go and complain to the airlines but I don't think you will get very far,failing that set up your own airline and then you can do as you please.

They probably, they just keep it to themselves and suffer in silence.

And back to the sensationalism. Thanks goodness most of society isn't as intolerant as you.

You are correct, and also because Autistic children are far less likely to get many if any GSCEs, which lowers the schools results stats at the end of the year

Because there's a diagnosis for everything these days. That's part of the problem really.

This is lovely to see. It really does help those with Autism and can bring down any anxiety. Queuing and waiting is something that most with Autism struggle with, so good on Manchester airport!

Well the noise means they can't rest or sleep, it makes people uncomfortable, it causes issues for the flight crew and it causes stress.

Being trapped in a tube for 10 hours with a child going mental is tantamount to mental torture.

The Autistic community has a diagnosis for you that fits perfectly, it's called Neurotypical Syndrome. See http://isnt.autistics.org/

My experience of mainstream schools is that they tend to try and push out ASD kids. They are high maintenance, and a poor return for the additional money. The way the system should work should be independent of the school. As a parent you can refer your child to the Educational Psychologist, who does not work for the school.

For an autistic child, I would always recommend getting statemented. If you have a Statement of Special Education Needs, it forms a legal obligation on the school to provide the stated services. If the statement specifies a one to one full time, they need to provide it, and they can be compelled to provide it. Schools Action Plus and the similar schemes and far less controlled.

What issues? List them.

My girlfriend is the Head of a "special School" for kids with both learning difficulties and physical disabilities, and I can tell you the extra money they get above normal for their kids is minimal. They get more if a kid comes from a benefit family than having Autism.
This year they are going to be nearly £100k in the red, having to get in extra teachers and TA's due to some of the kids being violent and needing a 2 to 1 ratio with teachers. Then there's the money needed to repair the damage the extremely Autistic cause.
But both she and all her teachers, even though they regularly get physically abused by some kids, love working there as they love to see the postive changes in the kids over the years.
And they were rated Outstanding by Ofsted this year whilst the 4 "normal" schools here are all in Special Measures

Well it is. If a kid is screaming and causing havoc on a plane then causes issues for almost every other passenger on-board.

And you accuse Stopha of being sensationalist.

Again, you're just jumping to the most sensationalist angle possible. The kid has a right to healthcare and an education. Nobody has a right to a holiday in America.

If what is best for his son is something that is detrimental to what is best for almost every other passenger on a 747 then it's common sense that the child should be the one to lose out.

thank you

Schools have all interest in having a child diagnoses in the ASD spectrum.
They get extra funds because they are supposed to employ support teachers but they don't.
I know of schools with over 25% of the kids with ASD and extravagant projects left right and centre thanks to the extra money.
My nephew was one of the kids labelled as autistic.
I took him to a Harley street specialist and after many tests in a few weeks he said that there was no sign of anything wrong with him.
Armed with the results I contacted the school myself and the head teacher fobbed me off by saying that the report was not independent.
Strange enough, when I complained to the general medical council about the school assessors, nurse and appointed doctor, he was immediately taken off that damning list of 'troubled kids'.
The school nurse resigned.
Money, money, money.
This is what it's all about.
Remember when we were kids?
We were much more terrible and badly behaved than most brainwashed kids today, but we grew up to be normal adults without a disability badge.
Please note: This doesn't mean that all diagnosis of ASD are wrong, but better be sure.

While you're at it, why not ban the obese as they clog up our arm-rests?
Why not ban anyone drinking alcohol, tea or coffee because their diuretic effects means they'll hog the toilets more and we'll all have to queue longer?
Why not ban the elderly as they're statistically more likely to die and therefore increase the chance of our plane being delayed? They also take all the blankets, smell of Worthers' Originals and talk about the good old days ad infinitum.

I'd rather stop judgemental people with their sweeping statements and close minds from being in an enclosed environment with me. I would suggest you lighten up, get off your high horse and get laid. But then I guess the risk of a child is too great.

I could say the same thing about you.

You appear to be a very intolerant angry man.

Parents tend not to spot negative things in their children. For example, parents often miss a lazy eye that's obvious to you or me as something needing the attention of an optician. Autism spectrum conditions are often subtle and not very obvious, and symptoms can be misinterpreted as shyness etc.

Also, if an Autistic child is bullied mercilessly at school by hordes of fellow pupils, as all too often happens, the schools tend not to take any action. What do you think the result would be to the school telling hundreds of parents that their little angel has behaved improperly? I'm sure the school would rather deal with one angry parent whose child is the victim of bullying, than deal with all the parents of the bullies.


Yes, the original papers written by Hans Asperger were only translated to English in 1992, and even at that time Aspergers was little understood. It was very common for those with Aspergers experiencing the most difficulty to be misdiagnosed as Schizophrenic, based on apparent negative symptoms.

Dan Aykroyd is often quoted as saying he claims to have been diagnosed with Aspergers in the early 80's. This seems highly improbable given lack of awareness then. Though he does appear to display characteristics of the condition.

Parents are not experts in Autism. For many parents the suggestion that their darling child has autism is a complete shock, and they go into denial.

For us, the suggestion of ASD was a relief, it was an explanation as to the difficulties that our son was having. Telling other people about the diagnosis was weird. Many reacted as if you had said that he had cancer. For us, our son was still our son, we just had an explanation for some of his peculiarities.

ASD diagnoses are not chased for funding. They are very hard to get, and can take years before you get a diagnosis. They are also not that profitable for a school - the school has to part fund the additional expense.

ASD was historically under-reported. I read Computer Science at University in the 1990s. Many of my peers displayed behaviours that strongly suggest Aspergers. I suspect that many more of those would have been diagnosed if they were growing up now.

I'm not preaching, I'm airing my opinion. Other people are always welcome to disagree and I'm not trying to persuade or recruit anybody.

Oh I see. So you're just arguing the liberal party line just for the sake of it then?

its ok to dislike anything aslong as you don't preach about it....that become radical!

What are you basing that on? You don't even know me.

In any case, these days I generally travel to places where families are unlikely to go (or at least British families anyway) so it's less of a problem now than it has been in the past.

I like the way you use most here?! and they way you assume I have children?!

I don't want to stare at him. I just don't want to see him at all and I absolutely do not want to have to hear him.

Let's face it you don't like much at all.

Anyway like I said there is nothing you can do about it so you will have to let it eat you up on every flight you ever take.

I have done. DLP is a Del Boy theme park compared to Florida. If I feel my son will cope, I will take him on the flight. I would not do anything that I think he would not cope with. As to other people staring, I could not care less. He is my son, who does his best to cope. And if you want to stare because he talks funnily and acts a little oddly at times, that is your prerogative. If I am out with my son, I am usually looking after him, I don't even see the stares any more.

This offer makes things smoother for an autistic kid, and would dramatically decrease the likelihood of a meltdown.

So basically, it's OK to dislike kids as long as you keep quiet about it?

Tbh, I feel that you're the ignorant one because you just don't get that most of society does not want to see or hear your children and you don't respect their rights to a peaceful and quiet life free from the disruptions and inconveniences that your kids inevitably cause.

Wow this thread is full of ignorant people! I've used this scheme for a few years as my eldest has Autism and he throws mega tantrums when he in very busy situations, the airport being one. The noises, the lights and the people over-stimulate him and cause him severe anxiety. This scheme is fantastic for parents and children and reduces stress greatly. I hope it isn't abused after appearing here as it would be a shame! You have to apply providing evidence of the disability, it takes a few weeks/months for the band and information to appear and you can only use the Fast Track if you are travelling without a buggy.

its not evil to dislike something! its voicing that dislike and pointing out how much it affects you that comes across evil!

What I don't get is how posting video game deals is by any means relevant to not liking children.

Why did you think they were stuck up?

I don't like how it's not OK to dislike kids in this country and how somehow disliking them makes you a figure of pure evil. It's nonsense.

no, far from it! but your comment was saying that they are only for adults!

I will hopefully be far away from here by then.

You do know that nobody is going to stop flying with their children just because you keep going on about how you don't like it.

I recently went on a holiday flight with my young son and he started screaming and sure enough there was the odd stuck up couple who rolled their eyes,yet funny enough never had anything to say when I looked at them.strange thing was that the people in the immediate rows around us were all amazing.there were 3 young girls (in their 20s) sat Infront of us and they started playing around with my son and after a while he had calmed down and everyone around us was playing games with him and so on and it got everyone talking each other and having laugh with each other,it turned out to be a really good atmosphere between the 20 or so people as everyone was getting into the holiday spirit and my son was loving the attention he was getting.the only people who didn't look like they were happy were the eye rollers who's faces looked like a slapped **** for the whole flight.

So going by my experience it's only the odd few people who don't want to be on flights with children and most people are understanding.

Ok, I'm not going to comment on how many children are wrongly diagnosed as being in the autistic spectrum so their school can get more money (somehow the symptoms are spotted by teachers and school nurses but not parents), but I will advise on something available to everyone.
You can book FREE airport assistance through your airline without having to prove anything.
I booked it a couple of months ago because of my wobbly knee and I couldn't have carried the hand luggage and two kids.
They put me, wife and kids on an electric car and whisked us through security and to the gate.
Same thing when we arrived at destination.
I always book it for my mum when she comes over because of her arthritis, mind you, she doesn't show any sign of disability.
We've never been asked to prove anything, in fact, we've never been asked why we need assistance.

So you're saying that all computer games are for children?

I think there is a difference between coughing quietly on a commuter train because you have a sore throat and subjecting everyone on a transatlantic flight to hours of screaming and balling because one of your kids fancied a trip to Florida.

there's that 'ignorance' again

and im sure you wont be using your free bus pass either!

oh the irony . someone who posts deals for computer games complains about children

spot on!!!

are you the so called innocent person in this situation?

and do you feel the same for all circumstances where a child pays less?

you do realise that these can also be construed as not socially acceptable?!

So do the people holding up the flight because they were lingering in Duty Free. The casually racist sales rep sat over the aisle telling painfully unfunny anecdotes is also antisocial. The person who ran to catch the flight, without the benefit of deoderant is not my favourite either. There are a myriad of people who irritate the **** out of me on any particular flight.

I can think of nothing worse than being shut up in a tin can with a miserable Misanthrope like you.

Nothing until they start to cause unnecessary problems for other people.

No, occasionally, occasionally, sometimes, no.

Not sure what the last 2 were, I can only assume that you used bad words.

Again with the use of "innocent". I repeat - beyond genetics, what is the parent of a child with a disability "guilty" of?

do you smoke? drink? cough? laugh? talk loudly amongst friends? ****? ****?

So not only are they inconveniencing and troubling innocent people, they're also paying less for the privilege.

One idea would be to reverse that and charge kids seats at a higher rate since they are more hassle for the airlines anyway.

So you would rather disrupt a plane full of innocent strangers than disappoint your own kids?

I very much doubt that not seeing the United States in his youth is really going to be all that detrimental to your child's personality and well-being. There are Universal Studios and Disney Theme Parks within driving distance of the UK if you really want to take your kids to them.

up to a certain age children go free as you pay per seat and children below the 'free' criteria will be sat with their parents. a child they believe who is able to sit on their own seat will pay full prices, this is obviously at a child rate as they do with everything else.

OK, so the fact that they're not breaking any laws therefore makes their actions socially acceptable?

That is why this country is falling to pieces.

Because he is not my only child. My daughter wants to go to Florida and do the mouse thing. At some point when we think my son can take it, he will fly. But it will very stressful. Before we even get to the airport we will have had weeks of worry about how he would behave. He could be angelic, he could have the tantrum from hell. It is completely unpredictable. But we cannot stop going out, and deprive our other child just because of autism. Our daughter, despite our best efforts, does miss out on a huge amount of stuff that we would be doing without an autistic son. And our son does need to experience more. Unless we take risks, he would be completely alienated from society. He already has a social and communication disorder, without us putting up additional barriers.

Kids don't pay the full price for holidays and airline seats AFAIK. Please correct me if I'm wrong though.

are you actually proof reading what you are saying!?!?!

I'm afraid I would have to say the same about you.

I didn't actually. My parents only took me on planes when it was absolutely necessary for my Dad's job and I wasn't allowed to make noise or just cause disruption as I saw fit.

you do realise that you look less and less educated by each comment?!

they are also full paying passengers........see, naïve and ignorant!

I will voice whatever I like, just as you do. The fact that you don't agree with me does not mean that I have any fewer rights than you do.

Then I look forward to the case of Spark v Parent in the courts. You'd be found in contempt for wasting court time.

Because they're causing an inconvenience to innocent, full-paying passengers who just want to get to their destinations in peace.

that is your opinion and you are entitled to it but just because you are entitled to it doesn't mean you have to voice it! and your initial comment was not directed towards ALL children, it was specific which is where you are being ignorant

I think you're being a bit silly there. Obviously all people should be able to access education, healthcare etc. This is a totally different thing.

Because they don't have to do it.And why should they go on another flight or not fly at all just to keep you happy,they are not breaking any rules or laws.

spark - im afraid naivety and ignorance are not a good quality, even if you do try to hide behind educated comments

Heat for the 'deal'
Cold for the comments.

and im sure you cried, screamed and made a noise just like every other kid! do not put the same blame onto everyone as you do for those less responsible than others! unfortunately you are going to experience that wherever you go, but putting them in the same category is just plain dumb!

So children with a disability should not access any service that an adult may wish to use? Maybe we should lock them up so you don't have to see them. What about the Bethlem approach? You could go for a day out to look at them when you want.

How a society treats his most disadvantaged is a good judge of that society. I don't think much of yours.

Precisely, so why take the child out of it's comfort zone and subject them to air travel in what is now probably the least pleasant and most stressful country to fly from in the developed world?

Surely a camping holiday or something similar in the UK or France/Ireland would be a lot less stressful for the child and everyone else concerned?

That is exactly what I am saying.

I was and my parents acted responsibly. A lot of parents don't these days unfortunately.

OK, so why don't parents of their kids adopt that attitude instead and just take the kids on flights? That would be better for everyone really.

you do realise you were a child once?!?!

So just to be clear, a man that posts an opinion you don't like is a troll but if he says that publicly things will get 'messy' as you put it. With that tolerant open-minded attitude I can see you are the last of the great minds. And you expect tolerance from them?

Funny how you keep referring to yourself as an adult yet you have very childish opinions.

You're kidding, right?? If someone blocked in your car each morning, it would be actionable under the law of nuisance/trespass. You're really saying that's the same thing as a noisy child disturbing your peace and quiet??

Until you walk in their shoes you cannot really comprehend the relentless nature of parenting a child with disabilities. Having a kid with autism turns everything into a military operation. You plan for everything and do not deviate from the plan. Before something like an airport trip, you would probably spend weeks preparing your dearest for the airport trip. The videos and materials are probably far more useful than the free pass. I have an autistic 7 year old. We have not flown since he was 2. We think he would melt down in an airport.

As to consideration for others, often some noises is better than intervening and having a lot of noise. When an autistic child is out, they are usually out of their comfort zone, and under a great deal of stress. My son will ramble, talking to himself under those conditions. There is not a lot you can do to intervene. Indeed, often reacting by giving attention can be seen as rewarding bad behaviour.

Besides. parents of disabled kids are like wider society - there are quite a few ****. Any group of people will have sociopaths who do antisocial things.

Because that's life.nothing you can do about it I'm affraid,apart from not going on holiday or go on a private plane.

Couldn't agree more. In fact a Google search for Islamophobia only turns up 2.3 million results- how can we get this hidden message out there? ?

Why should the adults just have to grin and bear it and suffer in silence?

I know what you're saying but with respect, that's not really my problem. You probably wouldn't like it if a stranger just parked their car directly in front of your driveway each morning because there was nowhere else to park. It's kind of the same thing.

What will the parents of the autistic do in the country they arrive in? I can't imagine some being that welcoming. This will only create unreasonable expectations for others.

I tell you what,I'd rather sit on a plane full of screaming children who don't know better than a plane full of moaning adults who should know better.

On the other side of that, I think that those who have no experience of parenting kids with disabilities should have a biot more compassion and understanding. We're not out to ruin your holiday/shopping trip/whatever, but you're not likely to see us again. Meanwhile, we are dealing with sleeping issues, feeding issues, toileting issues, meltdowns, violent outbursts etc every single day.

OK, please keep in mind that I wasn't directing my previous comment just a people with autistic kids. I actually meant kids in general. That's my fault for not making it clearer though.

But I do think that parents of disabled kids should be more mindful of their actions and how their actions might impact upon other people. I'm not saying that all parents of disabled kids are guilty of that but I have unfortunately seen instances in the past where that clearly hasn't been the case.

Parents of autistic children also work hard and pay tax. Despite what you seem to think, you don't get loads of free money flung at you just because your child has autism. By your logic, anyone who makes any kind of noise should be banned from flights?

I also take offence at your use of "innocent adults". As a parent of a boy with autism, what exactly am I "guilty" of???

And why should innocent adults be subjected to the noise and disruption caused by someone else's offspring?

Surely adults who work hard and pay the taxes deserve to be allowed to go on holiday or travel for business in peace?

In that case i think this thread also needs a serious clean up of the tiny minded comments , Last couple of comments to name just a few

If they can afford a holiday, they have as much "right" to it as you or anyone else. Heaven forbid a little noise might cause you to tut and roll your eyes.

Remember the code of conduct. Posts with name calling and those quoting same will be removed.

People have a right to education, hygiene etc. They do not have a right to a holiday and with respect I think you are being ridiculous and sensationalist for the sake of it.

They shouldn't be entitled to it if they are going to cause problems or inconvenience to others.

As it stands, I don't think that this change is going to affect other people all that much in the grand scheme of things and I'm not that bothered by it. For me, it just stands to reason that someone who struggles with airport security is probably going to struggle with flying as well though.

Personally I don't think that children, disabled or otherwise, should be allowed to fly at all if I'm honest but that's just my own personal opinion.

The problem I have with this is that surely those who find airports to be a ‘confusing and frightening experience’ are also likely to find flying a ‘confusing and frightening experience’.

Which presents the question, why put those people on planes in the first place?

Again, it shouldn't be. Someone is going to have to pay for it at some point since it isn't provided by charities in airports. If the users of that service aren't paying for it then that means that everyone else is bankrolling it through airport taxes and that is something that I don't agree with.

Someone has to pay for it at the end of the day so why can't that someone be the someone who actually wants to use it?

ok, let me amend that appropriately......asistance is a free service!

No it should not.

Why do people with prams and pushchairs get this for free?????

Letting those with Autism on first vould be the difference between a quiet flight or a noisy one.

You let the Autistic on first, uncrowded and therefore less stressed, and hopefully they'll drop into their own world with an Ipad etc before you come on, and then the flight is uneventful.
You don't let them on first and they'll be surrounded by unknown people, getting worried and stressed, and being hemmed in making things worse. So now they're panicking and screaming out or just being loud because they can't calm down.

I'd rather let them on first and have a quiet flight than a noisy one. But then again Northerndave would just blame the noise on a naughty kid and crap parents because he's ignorant

i am honestly suprised to find that many people are not already aware of this service at many if not all airports in the uk!

as of 2008 it was EU law for an airport to offer assistance to people with a reduced mobility or alike! this offers a free assistance service for people who would normally struggle with many aspects of travel, and the airport experience. i have been doing this from day 1 and it is an amazing service with Cardiff Airport assisting around 20000 passengers each year!

no evidence/proof is needed as it is discriminate to ask what is wrong with someone! if you need assistance, we will help you!

What a fabulous idea! Well done Manchester. I hope other airports follow suit. I have a child with adhd so wouldn't qualify but can certainly appreciate the difficulties parents with autistic children have. I think it's a marvellous idea.

Thanks. I hope other airports adopt this too.

very good find op. and very hot idea from the airports well done....

People here spend several hours driving from tesco to tesco because someone posted 10p off bog roll deal. Of course there will be some pathetic losers who go through all this hassle to save £5 on fast track boarding.

This is a great idea - It would certainly help with my autistic son and many others to

Using a pram/pushchair is a choice/convenience - could just as easily use a sling. Autism isn't a choice.

:smile:

You two really aren't that bright are you?
It is free because it's in the Airlines best interests to do it. By fasttracking those with buggies means they get them all on first and their buggies stowed away before everyone else comes on. Otherwise you'd have people with buggies trying to lift them above their heads to try and stow them, knocking people out with them and having trouble getting them stowed because of idiots with massively oversized hand baggage being crammed in first.

Now can your tiny brains comprehend that?

Now this is dangerous! Will allow crooks to use these autistic children for their own use....

Indeed. And from there, it's only a short leap to the anti-vaccination brigade who are desperate to pin the perceived rise on an unconnected "cause".

What concerns me is people thinking there is a rise. It's little different to when we saw cases of breast cancer shoot through the roof when we started doing routine mammograms. The number of women with breast cancer never increased, it was just better detected. We've also seen rises in cases of breast cancer when celebrities have been reported to have breast cancer, because women have subsequently gone to get checked out. The same happens with Autism, the diagnostic tools used have improved, and the public awareness is increasing.

The stark and unfortunate reality is that historically many people with the more extreme forms of Autism may have ended up in Psychiatric institutions hidden away from society. They'd never have been diagnosed with Autism because it wasn't known about. Many may find this documentary an eye opener http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI2UNbd7lxY Edit: It's people with supremacist views like Northerndave that lead to the type of treatment of people shown in the documentary.

Well considering all kids are getting thse new vaccinations it wont be long before this will be implemented at evrey airport.

Northern Dave I suggest you charter a private plane if other people both you so much. Looking forward to my holiday on Friday and I wish you were on my flight xo

I pressed like on you your disgusting comment by mistake.

It's good to know that it eats you up that people will be fast tracked and there is nothing you can do about it apart from moan on here,as let's face it I'm guessing your a little bloke with a big mouth who wouldn't have the balls to actually say your comments out loud.

What concerns me is the alarming rise in autism.

In the 1980's it was 1 in 2000 children, these days it's 1 in 150!

Absolutely brilliant hope every airport follows there lead

Really..? Well, given your attempt at grammar, I could imagine it shouldn't be too difficult for Airport Security to weed out of the fake letters from the genuine ones.

I've found this debate very interesting - it's surprising how many people feel ADHD doesn't exist and how many people feel that those with an invisible disability like autism should just suck it up.
My dad was recently diagnosed with ADHD by a brain specialist - it's not just naughty little boy syndrome as he'll be 60 on his next birthday - it's plagued him through his life, contributing to low self esteem and depression. How does it manifest itself on a man this age ? He has poor concentration, he seeks out danger in various forms and if I went into full detail of things he's done during the time I've known him your hair would curl just reading it. Did he go through the the process to get DLA ? No, he did it because he has tried to commit suicide twice last year and he wanted to get to the bottom of why he wasn't like 'normal' people. Is ADHD over diagnosed ? Probably, I would say like autism some day soon they will have to set a limit on how far up the spectrum you are before your diagnosed as we are all on the spectrum somewhere and it we all get diagnosed the people who are moderate to severe will miss out in help as all services will be oversubscribed.
As for autism, I have 2 boys on the spectrum, the oldest could queue without too much distress, his diagnosis is aspergers and he is on the mild/moderate side, is he running around feral, no he'll stand quietly, a little bit nervous and he'll shift from foot to foot as he finds standing still a challenge. My younger boys is 4, he finds it much more difficult, he didn't talk until he was almost 4, when he is excited or anxious he will check his knuckles until they are red raw, he still requires a buggy as he finds walking difficult - a place like the airport ( new, noise, bright etc ) will having him walking on his tiptoes and that makes him tired, even on a normal day he finds walking an effort and he cannot seems to simply walk, he jumps, skips, hops on one foot, this doesnt sound like a problem but can you imagine how tired you would get if you, jumped, ran, skipped and hopped everywhere you went ?
Will he be noisy ? While me and my husband will try to keep him calm and reassure him it is likely he will be noisier than an 'average' child, at home it's like his volume switch is stick on high, he is unable to whisper and finds it challenging to use an indoor voice - it's like he is totally unaware or unable to speak quietly.
I would use this service if it was available, if I was travelling with just the oldest I wouldn't feel the need.

To respond to the more controversial comments
Bruce - I can totally see what you mean, people think it's unthinkable to imagine that people seek out a diagnosis to get access to benefits, I think it is unthinkable that people would pretend they are from a broken relationship to get another social house so they can both claim they are single and maximise the benefits they get but unfortunately it happens daily. People would do anything for 'free money'

As for northerndave, I'm hoping your just a troll, trying to stoke up some hatred from hiding behind your keyboard. If this is a view that you would express in a crowded room full of actual, real people I fear that if we ever where to meet things might get unpleasant to say the least.

As for the other snobs who feel these feral children are ruining my holiday and imagine I actually paid to get fast track - all I can say is let's hope you are blessed with a child with autism or similar difficulties, perhaps it would give you a different outlook on life. If having more people fast tracked is such a massive Inconvience you feel the need to come on Internet boards and berate those living with an invisible disability all I can say is wow, you really are shallow.

And to all those others who have made abusive comments I would say would you say it in the real world, if not please don't say it here, behind our keyboard we are all real people, and it would seem quite a few here live with these trials every day - don't judge us and our children ( and fathers in my case ) until you've walked a mile in our shoes.

I have stayed out of this debate lol, but the scheme is brilliant but i think we will stick to driving across borders still, i can understand why parents want to take the kids abroad but its very unfair to put them in the situation they struggle with, hence why we do not fly.

Brilliant idea, however it's not the outbound airport in my opinion that is the issue, it's the inbound (returning home), of which there are 45'000 other airports where there is limited/terrible checking in facilities, and queues of 2-3 hours with limited facilities are not uncommon.

I have a disabled kid with physical and mental disabilities, it's a challenge every year, any help is appreciated, and we do use MAN so thanks for sharing, it goes to show MAN are ahead of the game.

Rob

Why is this a deal?

i would just also like to add that there are many people who you meet in your everyday life who have autism on some level but have not been diagnosed and never will be.

this is very misleading information as this service IS available in all EU airports and more than likely in all airports around the world FREE OF CHARGE but i know this is def the case for UK airports and has been so since around 2008.

proof is also unecessary as assistance is available to anyone who requires it. it is also a requirement to offer 'fast tracking' not only through security but also check in and other potential queue areas and this can just be requested on the day. you also do not have to pre-book any of this but it is recommended as the service would be offered as best endeveours if booking on the day.

i know all this as i work in the special assistance team at Cardiff Airport. we also offer what is called a familiarisation day for those who are apprehensive about travelling which families with autistic children or family members find very productive.

the wrist band is a good idea and is something we are looking to introduce at Cardiff Airport but will only be for those who choose it as we want each passenger to be treated the same and dont want to single anyone out.

Great find - hopefully all airports take this onboard !
Though it may only benefit a small minority of their customer base - it's the customer base who need these types of little gestures to make a big difference

Again well done op for finding this and well done manchester airport for doing something different and something that matters

I hope that this will help a lot of people and I am glad that Manchester Airport is doing this and hope that all UK airports follow suit. Obviously this will help on departure and arrival at Manchester but will not help when you get to your destination. It is a good start and hope that this spreads across the world.

I hope they run this service across all major airports in the UK

I wouldn't have though about abusing the system till you mentioned how easy it is to forge a document so well done...... IDIOT!

There's plenty of evidence online if you look, but you carry on reading the Daily Mail.

I won't link stuff for you, as you won't bother reading it anyway.

If you use keywords such as Brain Scan, ADHD, D4 on Google, then I think you might understand it's not just an excuse for naughty kids (or adults) but a real condition that affects a lot of people.

Your psychology is obviously much better as I can see the shear amount of evidence you've produced.......

Hi. I have an autistic daughter on the lower end of the spectrum. I read about this earlier this week. Didn't think about sharing on here. This will help me and my family so much. Thanks for sharing!

Armchair psychology at its worst!
Try working everyday with people with ADHD (and it's not just children - you don't grow out of it) and you might realise how stupid you just made yourself look.
Don't fall for the 'ADHD = naughty kids' crap that people who don't know what they're talking about try to spread - try spending time with kids AND ADULTS with ADHD and you'll realise it runs much, much deeper than 'being naughty'.

It's ok as long as you don't get on a plane with a few fast tracked people that the terrorists know about :smiley:

and BTW you can't fake a child's austim or ADHD forget all the TV stuff it takes months years to get it diagnosed by child psychologist

Unfortunately sometimes there really is no point in us trying to sensibly explain the situation to some people.

Ignorance really is difficult to overcome. So often people give you that 'you've bought your kid up really badly' look and you just have to ignore it and carry on

Just highlighting the Islamophobia prevalent today. I think it's worse than anti-semitism, because at least in the latter's case we recognise it as a problem

Guess who will be carrying the drugs.
whatever security is there for the fast tracked will be used to conceal it.

if all gingers were fast tracked. the criminals would all dye their hair ginger.
I'm actually brighter than the security staff are. and they don't like it.

An autistic child (depending on their severity) would usually choose not to go to an airport because it is not a part of their usual routine, or because of the social problems it creates for them. However, does that mean that the family members that care for them, in some cases 24/7, should be denied a holiday too? I agree that the most severe cases, such as my son, probably wouldn't even be at the airport in the first place, however the spectrum for autism is so vast that you can't judge every one the same.
I know families who take their autistic kids on holiday and they say the most stressful bit is getting through the airport - once the kids are on the plane then they can put headphones on (if applicable) and retreat into their world with ipads, books, or whatever their particular coping mechanism is and they are fine.

Thanks for the info.

For those that it may assist, Heathrow do something similar, don't think it's as organised as wrist band etc but you can call the special assistance team at the airport (Omniserve) think it's called.
Give them the details, and they will arrange to meet you upon arrival and take you through. Same for arrival also-just give them s bit of notice.
Hope it helps someone

I hope they don't introduce this at stansted or Luton, I always pay for fast track so that I don't need to queue up for ages, I have anxiety issues, two mental kids and hate crowds.

Fast track has been getting more and more popular in recent years so it's not as fast track as it once was. With people being offered it for free now it'll slow it down to make it hardly worth paying

Not sure I really get it, people with autism may need help, as do a variety of people with any disability, Im not sure if I'd like my son to be tagged with a wristband to save a fiver, wouldn't you just pay a fiver to get fast tracked anyway? I'm not sure how making this free makes a difference, are the parents not working anyway, or getting other benefits?

When I flew via Manchester a few times I rarely had to queue. Generally going through security took me 10 mins tops.

No or know? From that spelling you could do with reading a bit more before being so judgemental of others. I think the point is that flying for a holiday is optional. Nobody is forced to do it and I can't believe many autistic children would choose to do something they found stressful so perhaps instead of expecting everyone else to do right by the children, the parents should act responsibly and put their childrens' needs before their own travel ambitions and not force them onto planes if they are uncomfortable. We are becoming such a nanny state and the fast track boarding system is becoming pointless as I once flew Ryanair and found more fast boarders than regular flyers. There were some genuinely very poorly people and I did not think it right that a person in extremely poor health was given the same priority status as a man with a slight limp and a woman with a pushchair with some very hyperactive kids who she did not seem in the slightest bit interested and could have boarded the plane themselves for all the good she was doing. These schemes are a good idea to help someone who would have real difficulty getting on the plane but not someone who is fine in every other aspect but just hates queuing. There are very few people who this should apply to. Also if you don't like the boarding process, how will you cope in a cramped aircraft full of noise and sometimes very rude staff and passengers?

if you're in a profession that dishes out these letters in such a system that it can be abused then you are one of the corrupt folk making it possible to be abused. Why don't you start doing your job properly and have some respect for those that really might need this service!

More their parents queuing up to get their kids diagnosed, mostly with the fake phenomenon of ADHD( or should i say naughty child syndrome).
It's a shame for the guys that this initiative is set up for but like everything else where there's a benefit (no matter how small) it will get abused.

Let's no ruin a generous information post with our pessimistic outlook on people and what they may or may not do. Heat added and may other venues and organisations follow this positive step.

fantastic idea - hopefully ports will do the same

Great initiative, i think there'll be security issues.
Fake docs for £3.50 as someone stated will be small fry if they're planning a terrorist plot as no doubt the person suffering from autism won't go through the same security screening as others to maintain the calmness of the individual.
Feel sad i think like this, people being shot/blown up every **** day doesn't help.

You would have to be pretty sad to pretend your child has autism, or any other issues.

and yes my child has autism and more and to fake letter etc and having gone through a painful process to get him diagnosed over 3 yrs i hope its not just one letter they need ie/ dla letters, carers allowance letters etc min of 3 :smile: i recon will stop abuse :wink:

Having worked as someone who diagnoses Autism, I think the bigger problem would be the families ( and there are MANY) who's children are undiagnosed currently. They will have no proof of a formal diagnosis if that is required. I understand why the airports ask for this as otherwise it'll just be open to absuse. Perhaps they can employ that new smell test at the gate!

muslim or non Muslim, autism is autism. no one is to blamr

Yes great idea..... But why just autism, surely it would benefit people suffering from serious dementia aswell.

Good deal but should be moved to freebies section

It's just disappointing to think that people able to spend hundreds on a holiday would abuse systems like this to save £3.50, or a short 10 minute queue.

What happens if an autistic child queues? I'm not trying to be condescending, I was just wondering as I don't know much about the condition.

How can it be genuinely concerned. No one is to blame.

Really pleased with this initiative, as an autism mum I think anything that helps (in my boys case with his SPD, noise, touch etc) helps the whole family relax a little at a hugely stressful time! Hot!!!

Been to Manchester a few times recently and never really had to queue at security anyway.

Brilliant op for posting this, I have a son who has autism and I remember going to early bird programme, they mentioned that airports are going to take out something similar so really happy as I know personally how difficult it gets for these poor souls with all confusion and noises. Just brilliant well done Manchester

im not sure if this is a sarcastic or genuinely concerned comnent

I rang Manchester airport up on friday about this very subject. On Saturday I received my terminal booklet and 2 bands. Yes, I have a son with autism, yes I asked for 2 as he has to have the same on one hand as the other or he has a meltdown.

bet families will lie

Comment

I'm not sure he is tarring everyone with the same brush. For parents with child with true autism, this is a fantastic policy, one which should be policy on all airports.

The sad fact is that there are a lot of people out there who have sought out an "autistic" diagnosis for their children to either gain through benefits or as in a very recent documentary, parent assuming their child is autistic because of what is either behavioural or social issues. The problem is with the massive upsurge in request for a diagnosis, the NHS simply cannot provide all the specialists in one room to diagnose properly. The documentary showed one child with real behavioural challenges and the Mother thought it was autism - cameras placed in their house showed all that was wrong was sheer tiredness in the wee man, all down to the family cat and dog jumping on and off his bed all night. If people who were preventing from claiming any DLA who have nothing wrong with them, then proper support could be given to those who really need and deserve it.

Thanks op for posting this. This type of thing would be a great help for our son (and therefore us) and would actually make travelling overseas a little more possible.

Hope other airports follow suit

On the same note, I've seen guys with crutches. Taking their time to hop onto a bus. Only then see them RUN unassisted up the stairs! Only for them to RUN down the stairs again and resume with the crutches once they are about to get off the bus at slow pace. It's too bad genuine ppl and a system designed to help those in real need get a bad rep because of these individuals.

Sorrybi pressed the wrong button but yh good one manchester Airport i must say its great that some ppl are finaliy realising that not everyone is the same

Well there is saddos out there that would do that. They're going to check entitlement documents anyway so all good

Shame Bristol airport doesn't do this,then again Bristol airport is a joke,£2 to use a trolley and you don't even get the money back :confused: ,which is a lovely touch when traveling with 2 disabled people and already had to pay over £150 to park closer to the terminal.

Who would pretend that they have a autistic child that is just sad smh what if pretend it really happens hope no one even thinks of pretending sad sad smh smh

Very sad that anyone would pretend their child had a disability just to jump a q. Disney used to let people in wheelchairs go first and one of their employees told me rich families used to literally hire someone with a disability to get the others to the front.

To all those people saying they'd happily fake letters, why not just book appointments and just get diagnosed legitimately?

I have seen this in Legoland where groups come up with letters from others claiming that they cannot wait in queue and need Exit Passes. It is badly abused.

Yeah, so there's gonna be some pretending going on.

If, in fact, anyone would be bothered to pretend their kid has autism to get through airport security a bit quicker.

I think your 30 years experience are making you cynical. It seems like a lot of effort to go to writing fake letters to save yourself a few minutes at airport security, only to have to wait longer once your on the other side.

Is there a queue of people trying to get signed up as being autistic, much like in the states where people are desperate to get a prescription so they can smoke cannabis legally?
You people = condescending :smile:

And his point was that you'd be able to get a fake letter without needing to pretend to try to convince a professional. Someone checking at the airport wouldn't have a clue if the child was pretending. Some children with autism (and a genuine letter) will appear as if they were "normal". Whereas some "normal" children will be screeching and running around.

We could have done with this as flew to Greece last month, but we nearly cancelled the holiday because the stress it caused my daughter was unreal thankyou very much for sharing we will use it next time

Do you have a child with autism??? Do you understand autism??? so if yes you should be happy because something is going to help .... if no just try to learn something because this is a big deal for kids with autism we can't prevent all crimes but we can do something to make lives better. if we just think about crimes we dont do anything ... if you think ... im going out to the pub or shopping... what is the probability of assault? do you think like that???? or you just go to have some fun ..... so just let them do the right thing.

well done Manchester! I hope the rest of the airports follow suit. Great post by the way, thanks for sharing x

You people are missing my point. Genuine applicants will be fine. However, it is so easy to abuse the system, believe me, it will soon become overwhelmed with the abusers. I have no gripe with genuine applicants, don't think I tried to upset anyone. Just have over 30 years experience of dealing with chancers.

I mean: someone who doesn't have autism would need to pretend they have it if they wished to use a service for autistic people. This is what Bruce claims will happening on a sufficient scale for the scheme to be scrapped. :man:

I think this is great, but I must say I'm registered disabled (although not severely thank the Lord) I have been given great assistance all over the world getting in and around the airports.
Give your airline a call and they will sort you out.
The best one was Sydney where I had to change terminals - I got a bus ride around the Tarmac between the planes to get me from one to the other.

Do you mean what you've edited your post to include, which makes you seem even more out of touch with reality?

Bruceboy you are an idiot!!!!!, I have a son with autism and am flying from Manchester in 8 weeks and this will help, don't tar everyone with the same brush

Did you actually read my full post?

for us is really difficult to just go out of the house as a family, our son is autistic and going out is always a challenge.... and sometimes i feel if more people understand what autism is maybe more projects like this one will help not just the child with autism but all the family... we all deserve to be understood

You would have to be pretty scummy to pretend your child has autism, or any other issues.

I suspect this will be just as much a relief to parents as autistic children in the stress relieving side of things and if it makes holidays more accessible it's worth taking the risk of scummy people abusing it.

yeah and when the letters turn out to be phoney because the people have never had an appointment with you, you will no doubt be arrested on terrorism charges in the interests of national security.

Abused my foot, nobody and I mean nobody will want the full force of the boarder agency on their back for a couple of quid for a letter.

Yes, I do hope your life is made easier, I really do. My fear is that this will be totally abused, like so many other initiatives.

What do you mean pretend to have autism. Some autistic children look and behave exactly like "normal" children most of the time. A non specialist, especially one spending 15 seconds at a gate in a busy airport, wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

As a parent of two autistic boys I always carry the medical papers necessary, but to be honest in a busy airport, that's going to be loud etc the airport staff will be able to tell who the auties are without needing papers, the meltdown and anxiety will be obvious :smiley:

This is the sort of thing that makes our lives a little easier and gives us a chance of "normal" stuff that is usually so far out of reach. Hopefully more airports etc will follow soon, thank you OP for highlighting this

My son is autistic and this is amazing just a shame it's not all airports, although you can call the airports and they will put in some kind of provison if you ask
this would have made foreign holidays much easier for us when my son was younger

You calling me an idiot!
I work in the profession who can dish out these letters. So easy to be abused. You have no idea!

Good find.

Brilliant share, mark. Will be so helpful to many genuine families who avoid going abroad due to the lack of understanding of this condition.

Cracking find and very hot. I work with autistic children and this sounds an extremely good idea, which I hope other airports copy.

Hot!

Cheers Buzz, I do like a ittle jolly as you know :sunglasses:

Oh wow this is sure to help many , well done op:)

http://www.hotukdeals.com/freebies/autistic-children-fast-track-manchester-airport-2239885

Nice to see you again Mark, what was it this time? Two months in the Bahamas? :smile:

Nice one :smiley:

I just posted this mins ago!

Read this at:
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-airport-fast-track-families-autistic-9584145#rlabs=25

I think this is fantastic.

I hope this helps anyone with autistic children, and also autistic adults.

Making holidays more accessible and as unstressful as possible is fantastic.

Well done Manchester airport!!

http://mag-umbraco-media-live.s3.amazonaws.com/1008/awarenessplusbookletplust1.pdf

TERMINAL 1

http://mag-umbraco-media-live.s3.amazonaws.com/1009/awarenessplusbookletplust2.pdf

TERMINAL 2

http://mag-umbraco-media-live.s3.amazonaws.com/1009/awarenessplusbookletplust2.pdf

TERMINAL 3

http://mag-umbraco-media-live.s3.amazonaws.com/1010/awarenessplusbookletplust3.pdf