Autism-World

To airline staff and airport security personnel:

This child, [CHILDS NAME], has a condition known as fragile X syndrome. This is a genetic condition. Children with fragile X syndrome can have difficulty learning and so, they may not understand all of your instructions. Additionally, they may be very anxious about meeting new people and have difficulty dealing with new situations. This anxiety may cause them to become upset as they deal with the noisy environment of the airport, the many people they encounter during air travel, and rules that they may not understand.

We ask that you rely on the child’s parent for advice on how to best interact with the child. We also ask that, if possible, you not subject the child to any situations that might be stressful for him or her. Remember, the child might not understand your instructions and might be frightened if singled out in some way or if unexpected events occur. Just give the child some “space” and some time to gather his or her composure. Above all, respect the parent’s wishes and advice.

These are great kids. They are not trying to be stubborn or uncooperative. They’re just doing their best to deal with the anxiety and fear that may arise during air travel. Please remain calm should a problem arise and be understanding and gentle.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Leonard Abbeduto, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Educational Psychology &
Associate Director for Behavioral Sciences, Waisman Center
Office: 608-263-1737

http://www.conquerfragilex.org/summer_travel.php

Technorati : Fragile X Syndrome

This entry was posted on Friday, September 14th, 2007 at 2:52 pm and is filed under Fragile X Syndrome.