Identifying t-shirt when travelling

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
Identifying t-shirt when travelling
26
Fri, 03-07-2008 - 3:49pm

For my sins, i am taking Cian and Roan back to Ireland for a week in April (poor Liam just can't miss an entire week of school, and I would have to shoot myself with three of them all by myself, never mind the cost of the tickets.)

Anyhoo, I've been n international flights before with just two kids (and neither dx at the time....yeesh). For walking through the airport and on the plane I want to design a t-shirt that says something like "I have Autism/Aspergers- please be patient with me"

I remember someone on the board did something similar when taking their ds to Disney, can't remember who though. It's a direct overnight flight so that shouldn't be too bad (coming back will be ard though, daytime, no naps). I must be mental!!!!

Dee

St.PatLilypie 2nd Birthday Ticker
Lilypie 5th Birthday Ticker
Lilypie 6th to 18th Ticker
bf 14bf blinkiesfflirthigh five

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2004
Fri, 03-07-2008 - 4:27pm

I've never done it, but I think that's a great idea.

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Fri, 03-07-2008 - 4:36pm

Wasn't it Debbie that did that?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Fri, 03-07-2008 - 4:44pm

hows about one that says.

Me Ma is a mad Irish cow, Mess with me at your own risk.

Actually, I think I'll make two of those, one blue and one pink...

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2006
Fri, 03-07-2008 - 6:28pm

You can go to Cafe Press and type in Asperger's Syndrome and there are a lot of ideas on shirts.

Mindy- mom to Nathan 7 (Asperger)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Sat, 03-08-2008 - 11:30am

I saw a shirt just like that on a child at Liam's school and thought it would be great to have.

Molly
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Sat, 03-08-2008 - 12:50pm

I don't know about the Tshirts. Maybe for the younger crowd. But for the fashion consious or even the easily emabarassed Teens I am not so sure. Esp if they choice to wear them in school.Why not just paint a bullseye on the kid's back.


I know why you want to do it. But in reality people are going to be idiots no matter what you have printed on your kid's Tshirt. Some may even look at it as an excuse to why your child is not behaving in the manner they think the kid should

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
Sat, 03-08-2008 - 1:06pm

I respect you Rina but I have to say I am quite upset and offended by your post. Cian is 4, not a fashion worried teen , and he has has a tendancy to wander off in large places and clam up if anyone other than dh or I ask him anything. As for the yellow star comment; how dare you, this is not the forum to equate my need to protect my child with what happened in Nazi Europe over 60 years ago. I am in tears right now. I didn't ask for opinions, I asked for ideas.

Dee

St.PatLilypie 2nd Birthday Ticker
Lilypie 5th Birthday Ticker
Lilypie 6th to 18th Ticker
bf 14bf blinkiesfflirthigh five
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 03-08-2008 - 2:29pm

If you are thinking safety there was a good shirt on the thread from molly that had a place to put a phone number.

I am in between the 2 on this one. I think at my kids age it should be their choice to wear because they are older and can make that call. But at the same time I have been a bit uncomfortable with the advertising type shirts. I can't really explain why. I have autism walk shirts. The kids wear their autism camp shirts and love them. I have an autism ribbon on my car. Maybe I never found an autism shirt I like (though Mike is partial to the "Aspie Stim Team" one.

I have mentioned to mike the idea of wearing one with a disclaimer and phone number for when we do various charitable walks and runs. Mike likes to run ahead by himself but he can't handle ANYONE talking to him and will easily meltdown. We have considered a shirt that says something like "I have autism. Please do not talk to me. If I need help call...." with my cell phone just for those kinds of situations.

Renee

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

APOV on Autism
Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2007
Sat, 03-08-2008 - 4:25pm

I, as mostly a lurker, think it is a good idea. My family had a flight from South Carolina to Seattle (after a wonderful visit to the Bahamas) and at the end of the very long day, the woman in front of my son (7/adhd and ?) yelled at both of us that he had been pushing on her seat the WHOLE DAMN TRIP! She was totally livid - I, as a very in tune parent, had no idea - he was not kicking, but apparently would push his carry on pack, which put pressure on her seat or something. I was so taken aback - told her that it was too bad she waited until we were in descend to tell me, and she should talk to me, not yell at a 7 year old.

I did tell her quietly that he has ADHD and squirms a lot, but seriously, my kids were very well behaved and fly often. I am very sensitive to the kicking the seat in front possiblity, and it didn't happen. They colored, read and watched a movie with earphones on our laptop computer.

Perhaps, if she had noticed a t-shirt with ADHD on it, she would have been kinder or spoken up earlier. Maybe she is just an idiot. That was my conclusion!

Especially during down times (waiting at the gate etc) it would be helpful. And, I will add, especially for the younger kids - your kids ages - that have a hard time controlling their behavior at times.

I think cards that state "my child has a disability", or ADHD or autism that you can hand out if needed would be great. I have often felt like printing those up and I really wished I had one on that flight - I really don't like ANNOUNCING my son's issues in front of him as he was shocked and embarrassed by that woman as it was - but handing her a card would have helped - although - she was really rude.

My prediction is that you will have a wonderful trip and your kids will be perfect on the flight - make sure you bring snacks! BTW - we took a red eye to Germany in 2005 and my kids did AWESOME - my son took clonidine to sleep (as usual), but it was a piece of cake.

p.s. I often dress my kids in RED shirts, especially in crowded events so I can find them easier (disneyland, concerts, fairs etc). I did that a lot in Germany!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Sat, 03-08-2008 - 4:31pm

I like the cell phone number idea, tho' it'd definitely have to be a cell # and not one that someone could google to find our home info.

Just thinking aloud, but how 'bout one of those "how is my driving" type t-shirts?
How is my autism? Please call . . .

Pages