So we're flying cross country this afternoon on Southwest, My husband, myself, my 9 year old and my 7 year old. I forgot to print out our boarding passes right at the 24 hours out mark and ended up with B passes!

I have ADHD (hence the forgetting), my 7year old has ADHD, my husband has Asperger's and my 9 year is neuro-typical (but not so typical for our house!)

Can we pre-board? Does ADHD count as a disability for pre-boarding? Does Asperger's? If my 7 year old is separated from me, he could easily drive a sane person to suicide during a 5 hour flight! And my husband gets severe anxiety when he has to sit by strangers, especially once they start the chit-chat.

For now I'm just going to pre-board and hopefully I won't have to explain that although we appear to be completely normal, 3 out of 4 us us have disabilities that are literally "all in our heads!"

Is ADHD and Asperger's covered under the ADA for public places and airlines?

Some thing you may need to call and ask the air lines about or fly American where the seats are choosen when the tickets are purchased. Many with young children are allowed to pre-board so that young children are sure to sit with the parents and the seven year old may be young in enough to slide you through. I doubt I would go through the enite explination to the crew they won't understand most of it any way. They are just interested in getting every one boarded on time so take off happens on time.

I would simply say you need to ensure the children sit close and that your husband has flight anxiety and does better if he is sitting with you helping to care for the children thus taking his mind off his own anxiety.

Yeah, Meadde is right--just tell them you need to sit with your kids--in my opinion, that's a very reasonable request. And if your husband has anxiety, you can just say that--probably less explaintaion is best....btw, my sister has to take valium everytime she flies--she gets consessions to sit with her husband no matter what ;)

Oh yea do show up early you will need to be there at your gate before boarding time preferably about 30 minutes before hand. There is usually some one sitting in the little desk at the gate I would get with them upon arriving to the gate and simply state your request.

I fly often however I have never had to pre-board so I am not overly familiar with that procedure. I just know air-line personal prefer short, sweat and to the point.

Don't forget the long security thing at air-ports these days . . .that will need to be figured in addition to the 30 before boarding time.

Hint don't wear metal stuff like watches, belt buckles, be sure to remove all sharp objects like tweezers nail clipper and lighters before leaving home this will increase speed at security.