Some tips for flying.

Have someone with you to assist you going through TSA. The jostling as people get everything into the trays and then the yelling as TSA directs you through the metal director can become overwhelming.

Ask for Air Carrier Access Act preferential seating. See http://www.disabilitytravel.com/airl...arrier_act.htm for more information.

I always get a bulkhead seat, preferably aisle. Avoiding the view of heads and seat backs is imperative for me. I need visual space in front or I pay for it during and after the flight. ACAA give passenger 'bump' privileges. That mean you have seating priority over anybody but other ACAA qualified passengers. Only Southwest has given me problems with this.

Mention this when buying your tickets. Some airlines will seat you ahead of time. Others will prefer to have the gate agent arrange your seating. But, ask ahead of time to reserve your ACAA rights.

I carry a few slips of paper in my wallet that say:

"Please be patient with me. I suffer from a brain injury that causes me to over-react when confronted with shouting or someone barking orders. I respond by getting loud. Any assistance to help limit excessive auditory stimulation is helpful."

You might change it to "Please be patient with me. I suffer from a brain injury that causes me to get confused when confronted with shouting or someone barking orders or other chaotic situations. I respond by freezing up like a deer in the head lights. Any assistance to help limit excessive auditory stimulation is helpful."

Print this notice out and cut it into small business card size slips of paper. Keep them where you can easily access them. Hand it to anyone who needs to read it. Don't try to have them read it in your hand. I hand one to the first TSA agent when I get in the TSA line. I am usually directed to a less crowded line with more personal attention. You can ask for an escort from the airline counter too. Some will provide assistance through the security check point to your gate.

This system works great.

Take ear plugs or sound limiting headphones or both. The steady noise will wear your PCS brain out. A travelers blow up neck pillow is good so you can sleep.

Be prepared and the trip will be much easier.

My best to you.