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    • Autistic child’s weighted stuffed animal is unfit to board a flight
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    Autistic child’s weighted stuffed animal is unfit to board a flight

    Umito Posted on

    A Peterborough mother is speaking out after an incident with pre-board screening officers involving her three-year-old son who has non-verbal autism.

    This happened during a recent trip Ashley Demers, her husband and two sons took to the Dominican Republic.

    “The boys were really excited to be by the ocean, in the sand and in the pool, they both love swimming,” she said.

    Demers had planned the trip well in advance, mainly to ensure that everything would go well for his youngest son, Brydan.

    “With his autism, airports and flights can be difficult because there is so much overstimulation,” she said. “One of the things we bring with him in these situations is a weighted stuffed animal that gives him comfort and gives his body the deep pressure he’s looking for. It keeps him calm.

    The family attempted to bring the stuffed cow on board the flight.

    “We did pre-boarding with security and that’s when we ended up having a problem with the weighted stuffed animal.”

    A Peterborough mum says her three-year-old son, who has non-verbal autism, was not allowed to take his stuffed animal on a flight.
    A Peterborough mum says her three-year-old son, who has non-verbal autism, was not allowed to take his stuffed animal on a flight. (Photo provided by family)

    Despite presenting a doctor’s note and begging the officer to let the stuffed animal on board, the family was refused and told to check it out instead.

    In cellphone videos shared with CityNews by the family, Brydan is visibly upset at the time it happened. Demers said things only got worse when they boarded the flight without the stuffed animal.

    “He didn’t have this weighted object, so we ended up making him scream, cry. He was struggling and biting himself,” she said. “We struggled for 20 minutes and delayed everyone.”

    The flight attendants quickly came to remedy the situation.

    “We explained to the Sunwing flight attendants that Brydan was very upset because he did not have access to his weighted stuffed animal. The flight attendants didn’t think a 4.2-pound stuffed animal would have been a problem. »

    But according to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), it is. The weighted stuffed animal exceeded the weight limits for carry-on luggage.

    “In this case, the regulations concerning inorganic materials stipulate that certain powders and granular materials such as weighted blankets and stuffed animals are limited to a quantity of 350 ml or less,” a spokesperson told Speakers Corner. “If an item contains more than 350ml of this material then it will not be allowed in hand baggage. There are no exceptions for medical reasons.

    The spokesperson said CATSA investigated the situation after Demers expressed concerns upon returning from a trip.

    “CATSA has reviewed the situation and has concluded that the interception was valid in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations.”

    Speakers Corner contacted Autism Ontario, a charity that represents thousands of people on the autism spectrum and their families. Michael Cnudde called the incident unfortunate.

    “I think it’s important that staff involved in these situations understand the needs of autistic people and are able to meet them,” he told us. “There needs to be more education about autism and greater acceptance. I think it is essential to avoid the repetition of this type ofg.”

    CATSA says it does not take these cases lightly and that over the years it has has worked with airports, airlines and autism groups in several Canadian cities to help autistic passengers prepare for air travel.

    “We also support various airports with programs such as the Sunflower for hidden disabilities And Magnus Cards. Our screeners also receive training to help travelers with hidden disabilities, such as autism,” the spokesperson said.

    CATSA says it remains committed to engaging with the public and listening to their feedback.

    “As part of the program recently launched by CATSA Strategic plan“We are committed to implementing an engagement strategy to help us better understand and meet the diverse needs of our customer base, and communicate important insights to improve the end-to-end journey,” the spokesperson told us .

    Demers plans to continue to voice his concerns, telling us that a policy change is necessary.

    “It made me feel like they weren’t inclusive.” They didn’t take into account what Brydan needed to succeed in society. And they stripped him of his dignity, a three-year-old child.

    If you have an issue, story, or question you would like us to look into, contact us here.

    Umito
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