Asperger's syndrome and the parks About This Page:

[DaBlueys]

We had to cancel our trip this year due to unforeseen circumstances... Not only finances, but, well... My son was diagnosed with Asperger's. With that being said, for future trips, does anyone have any advice for touring the parks with a child with sensitivity issues???

[nurse_mom]

Our oldest has special needs. We just make sure we keep moving. Anytime we stop she gets quickly over stimulated. We find a nice quiet spot for rests. this past year was the 1st time she didn't really mind fireworks. In years past she would cover her ears and rock. But with ear muffs/plugs it helps with noise. Parades are hit or miss, I judge that by her mood and how many people would be around us. She loves Disney World, one of the few places we go and she is happy. Do not let the new Dx scare you off from Disney, they are always willing to help.

[trixiedixie]

Issac Newton, Albert Einstein, Dan Akroyd, Bill Gates, your son

At my first trip to WDW I was at our national speech language pathologists convention and saw an amazing presentation from Timothy Kiwolski an SLP specializing in Aspergers and at the end he had a slide show of all the people we associate with great things and they all had Aspergers. I hope that helps. It is said most of our "head in the clouds" professors had it too.

Talk about the trip and depending on age let him help set up the routine, the rules, expectations, the schedule and the what happens if - Space Mountain is down when it was next on the list.
Plus you can get a GAC that will help get him into calmer areas to wait for the familys turn if overstim is a concern.
Planning for contingencies will be important probably - we all know we can plan for months and something happens at last moment in time to change the plans.
Youtube videos of rides, fireworks, parades could be helpful to let him know or remember what to expect.

The more situations and environments your son faces and completes the better he copes and will deal with it even better next time.

Hope that helps!

[GingerJ]

Originally Posted by DaBlueys

My son was diagnosed with Asperger's. With that being said, for future trips, does anyone have any advice for touring the parks with a child with sensitivity issues???

Wow, that must give you such mixed feelings: relief to have a diagnosis, but worry for his future.
I have a boy with Asperger's in my Cub Scout den, and he's a smart, sweet fellow. The other boys accept him and play with him and I've found ways to keep him on track, with lots of affection, hugs, and humor.

I have no specific suggestions for you, just wanted to make sure you knew there's a thread on here that should help a lot: Vacationing Your Way: Your Special Needs - PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel

Good luck!

Ginger

[PixieMichele]

The things people listed above are great tips. There is a forum on here for special needs and i'm sure the folks over there will have a wealth of information. I always try to prepare as much as possible because the more your child understands and knows what to expect the less surprises and overwhelming feeling and meltdown you'll have.

Park maps and the planning DVD should help. You can also play around on the website; etc.

There are a lot of great tips in the Passporter and on the forum for sensitivity issues, don't worry you'll still be able to find plenty of magic in Disney for your family!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Hello DaBlueys!

I'm so sorry you had to cancel your trip, but it's good that you'll be rescheduling some time.

Have you seen the Open Mouse?

Here are some old articles I wrote on sensory sensitivities in DIsney.

I*Managing: Case Examples on ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners

I Managing on ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners

I*Managing: Strategies and Resources on ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners

[DaBlueys]

Thanks everybody It's been a long time coming, but it is such a relief to finally know something. Thinking back, because hindsight is always 20/20, he never liked parades, crowds, and fireworks were good... from a distance. So when we were planning our trip we made room for things like that (watching the fireworks from the end of main street instead of from the castle for example). All this because we thought he had anxiety issues or was shy. If it wasn't for a class my wife took 2 years ago we wouldn't have even heard of Asperger's, but yet here we are... My uniquely awesome son, who would rather smell your hand than shake it, is extreme when it comes to liking people and not liking situations, and whose extreme perception to detail and observation would outdo any of us when it comes to finding hidden mickeys (one of his strengths is find 'em pictures) will be better prepared with the advice you guys gave and the rest of this forum in general... thanks for that!!!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DaBlueys

Thanks everybody It's been a long time coming, but it is such a relief to finally know something. Thinking back, because hindsight is always 20/20, he never liked parades, crowds, and fireworks were good... from a distance. So when we were planning our trip we made room for things like that (watching the fireworks from the end of main street instead of from the castle for example). All this because we thought he had anxiety issues or was shy. If it wasn't for a class my wife took 2 years ago we wouldn't have even heard of Asperger's, but yet here we are... My uniquely awesome son, who would rather smell your hand than shake it, is extreme when it comes to liking people and not liking situations, and whose extreme perception to detail and observation would outdo any of us when it comes to finding hidden mickeys (one of his strengths is find 'em pictures) will be better prepared with the advice you guys gave and the rest of this forum in general... thanks for that!!!

I'm geussing I Spy might be a great waiting game for you.

[Happymommy]

My oldest has Aspergers and my youngest has Pdd-nos (autism spectrum)--- we have taken at least one trip every year for the past 8 years (since my oldest was 3).One year we went 3 times. Each trip gets easier and easier. The first two trips--- they rode almost nothing. One wouldn't go on anything indoors(not even Its a Small World), and one wouldn't go on anything that was fast moving (by fast moving, I mean the carousel). We ate alot of mickey bars, and watched alot of parades---spent alot of time at the pool. Now they ride everything except Dinosaur (way too loud) and Rock n Roller Coaster. I never thought we would get to this point. We had trips where they wouldn't watch fireworks, and now they love the fireworks. We had trips where they could not eat at Whispering canyon Cafe because it was so loud that my son just couldn't handle it, and then went back two years later, and he was fine. The best tip I can tell you is go with the flow, and always be willing to be flexible and change your plans. Bring lots of patience along We don't do the dining plan, because I can't be tied to dining reservations. I make them, but at least I know if we need to change plans, we can cancel an ADR. Always still a great time. They have gotten great with the lines, so that hasn't been a problem. I thought they would have a problem a few years ago when we stopped having a stroller (they have both been in physical therapy since they were babies due to low muscle tone etc--- my one son who I was told would never be able to play sports or run or ride a bike---now does all of those things, but is also trainign for a 5k, and just ran 1.5 miles without stopping today) anyway--- they are getting great with the long days of walking. They love things that many others don't though---we spend LOTS of time in animal kingdom---doing every single animal trail and exhibit. We spend at least 2 days there. They could care less for magic kingdom, but could spend every day at Animal Kingdom and Epcot. They do bring their itouches in their pockets now though (their Itouches are their cameras), so they pull them out, and play games, if we have a line over a half hour. It makes the long line a lot eaiser for them. The only problem we still have is food. One has sensory integration disorder--so he has many issues with food textures etc. It's a challenge to find a restaurant that they both have something to eat, but we found the restaurants soooo accomodating. My one son couldn't find anything to eat at Boma, and the waitress went to the counter service restaurant and brought him back all he could eat chicken fingers, fries and pizza. We didn't even mention that he had sensory issues to her. There are GAC cards (you can get it with a doctor's note-- I think it gives you access to quiter queue lines etc)--- I don't know anything about them. Others will have more info. We never really investigated them. We use fastpasses, get to the parks early etc. Any specific questions--- send me a message. I actually think Disney is easier for us than travelling to new places every year, because we know what we are getting. We know what kind of pool is there, what the menus are at the different restaurants, what the rooms will be like, etc.