For over 20 years, our son has flown. He goes through security and understands the procedure. The following were developed after September 11, 2001 when the airport security procedures changed. In order to explain the new procedures, we used the following materials before his first flight. He continued to carry them on subsequent trips. Recently he has decided not to carry them. Since the changes have been implemented, he has been searched, wanded and has had his bags checked. The following materials have helped him to understand the procedure and what is expected.
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Our concerns in developing the materials were that in the past nothing had ever been searched. How will he react if he is selected to have his carry-on bag searched? How will he feel about having a wand passed over his body or being touched as part of a search? It could happen. Another thought, if he isn't selected for a search, how will he react if others he is traveling with are selected? We hope the story, Going on a Plane Trip (PDF/148K), would prepare him. It requires Adobe Reader. Before we travel we frequently provide our son with pictures / symbols of what he may see on a trip. We decided the same approach could be used to discuss going on a plane trip. During a trip, our son carries pictures / symbols we provide as a reference. We did the same with Going on a Plane Trip. He would point out things as he saw them. Initially he carried the story, but later he just carried the page with the symbols, such as the one we created using Boardmaker for Windows 5.0.10.* Several formats and sizes are available: |
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Following up on a request, Mayer-Johnson provided the security-related Picture Communication Symbols (PCS). Now they are available in the 2004 Addendum.
All of the other PCS in the Going on a Plane Trip
story are available in Writing with Symbols 2000, the program used to write the
story, or in the Addendum Libraries. Also, the symbols are probably in other
PCS products, if you want to adapt the storyline to fit your situation.
| Text
in story | PCS |
| plane ticket | used "plane ticket" in 2002 Addendum Library |
| picture | used "driver's license" |
In June 2002, we took our first trip using the materials. Using the phrase that's a new rule Mike understood the need to show his picture ID. We just reminded him he needed to get his picture out of his billfold and he was ready.
During the trip Mike used the small 3 x 5 version of the symbols board, which he carried in his billfold, when he wanted to tell us about what he was observing at the security checkpoint. For example, when he saw someone's bag being searched he pointed it out on his small board.
The materials assisted us in explaining the new rules and procedures to Mike and they were a communication aide for Mike during the trip and afterwards, too. When we reached our destination, Mike used the Going on a Plane Trip story to tell others what he had seen at the airports.
* The board was created using Boardmaker for Windows 5.0.10. One person reported they could not open the board using Boardmaker 5.0 until they upgraded to the more recent version. Updates are available at Mayer-Johnson.
** The zipped board file requires a utility
to uncompress it. Some Windows operating systems may have the utility built in;
otherwise, a utility such as
Stuffit Expander for Windows is necessary.
The
Picture Communication Symbols © 1981 - 2005 Mayer-Johnson, Inc. Used with
permission.
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