AUTISTIC KIDS AND WDW About This Page:

[merrymom]

Hi! I'm a mother of a DD(10yr) and a DS(8yr), who is autistic. I'm a huge fan of WDW, Passporter, and now the Passporter boards. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] If you are checking out this post then you have either travelled or will be travelling to WDW with an autistic child--congratulations! If you don't already know by now, let me assure you that WDW is truly MAGICAL for ASD kids. After three WDW trips in as many years, DH and I became DVC members so we can go there every year....I consider it part of DS's therapy because of the advances he makes while in this amazing environment! If you haven't checked out <u>Passporter's Guide to WDW with your Special Needs</u> , then I highly recommend that you do so. "The Debs" have some extremely helpful tips for you.

I'd like to start this thread for anyone who would like to talk about taking their autistic child to WDW.... [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img]

[merrymom]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/whistling2.gif[/img] Anyone??

I don't want to take up time in the chat room! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[CinderAbby]

I'll be taking my Autistic DD and my disabled DH in August for the first time. I have to admit, even though I have been many times in the past, this upcoming vacation is making me nervous. I go back and fourth between thinking this is going to work to thinking I must be crazy trying to go to Disney. I know I should get the GAC, but I've read some conflicting comments about it, plus with the DH needing to use a scooter, I have no idea how this vacation is going to work ride wise. I keep hoping that at least a few rides we'll get to use the auxillary entrance because of DH and what ones we can't, I don't know how DD will react as she has problems with huge, crowded lines. My biggest concern is getting in line with DD and having her flip out on me so much that she won't even get on the ride (she's done it at smaller parks I've taken her to if it's really busy). So like I said, some days, I see our trip to Disney as nothing but waiting in a line, DD crying and screaming, not getting on a ride so I can calm her down, then getting in another line and hope the same thing doesn't happen again. So that's where I stand at this moment. I'm not sure how this vacation is going to go. I'm either gonna come home and say never again or I'm gonna come home to plan another trip. I hope it's the second option, but like I said, I'm having my doubts, but I'm also trying (unsuccessfully) to keep my hopes up that it will go well.

[merrymom]

Well, it sounds like you're planning to be flexible, and that's a great start! You couldn't find a more accommodating vacation spot for your family (IMHO).

August will be crowded (especially the first 2 weeks) and HOT, so you will have to tailor your vacationing around those factors as well. Some helpful tips for vacationing with special needs travelers that I found helpful:

1. Try to keep to a regular routine when it comes to sleeping and meal times.
2. Use the Guest Assistance Card to minimize wait time at popular attractions.
3. If staying on-site,utilize the Extra Magic Hours, especially the early EMHs. It allows you to tour during the cooler hours and the crowds are MUCH lower when the park first opens.
4. Tour at a slower, more relaxed pace and take breaks often. I have to literally tear myself away from the park after lunch so our family can go back to our resort for a nap. If DS really can't sleep, he unwinds in the hot tub...he loves the deep pressure! We once tried to "push on through" to the afternoon and leave the park at dinnertime, but it was too much! We "hop" to a different park after our nap and it seems to work out better. You can REALLY do this in the summer because the parks have EXTENDED HOURS..take advantage of them!
5. Lines for popular attractions dwindle a bit during parade times, try to ride then.
6. Bring earplugs for your DD if you think loud noises will bother her.
7.Bring a bag with small, inexpensive toys or sensory items to keep her happy when waiting on line.
8.Every park and resort has quiet spots for resting--use them!
9. Remember that WDW is much more than just rides and shows [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Just walking/wheeling around and soaking up the beauty and atmosphere is really enjoyable!
10. Pick up <u>Passporter's WDW for your Special Needs</u>. It is extremely helpful!

You are going to have such a good time....RELAX!!

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[Happymommy]

Nice thread. We have taken my children (oldest has Asperger's) twice, and have had wonderful trips!! Looking forward to going back in January!!

[merrymom]

HAPPYMOMMY:

January is such a nice month..the crowd level is nice and low...perfect for our kids ! Just wish the park hours could be a little longer! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

[Happymommy]

We love January, and I think the low crowds and cooler temps will be easier for Aidan to handle. Last time we took him in May, and he was ok until Star Wars Weekend-- too loud, too crowded and too hot.

Have fun at Old Key West!!! We're hoping to join DVC in a few years.

[Tig&Poo]

I am taking my grandson 3 yrs old who is PDD-NOS in 9 days. He loved Disney in December and although there were moments of sensory overload. It is very easy to find quiet areas in every park to chill out and re-group. The parks offer an endless opportunity for teachable moments and overall it was a great experience. My favorite moment was when after taking several pictures of hugs with the characters at Cyrstal Palace and as Eyore walked away, I heard him say one of his first independent sentences. "I love you Eyore" It brought tears to my eyes. we are looking forward to a longer trip this time which will allow us more breaks and warmer weather for pool time. the GAC card made a big difference for us. We will use it again.

[merrymom]

Hi, TigandPooh!

Don't you think the characters at WDW are wonderful?! We always let the CM "handler" know that my DS is autistic and they always lavish special attention on him. DD likes to get an autograph and a picture and she's happy, but DS loves to hug and sniff and "pet" the characters!! They all seem to be very well educated about special needs kids. There must be something about Eyeore....on our last trip, DS INITIATED A CONVERSATION with Eyeore. ("Come on, Eyeore, let's play a game!"--Eyeore played pattycake with him---then DS took him by the hand and said, "Let's go home, Eyeore!") The other parents must have thought I was nuts because I was standing there, crying, but the CM just put her arm around me and said, "Isn't it wonderful!". [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

[yalibrarian]

You have received some good advice here--don't be afraid to go. My son, now 17, has been to WDW 5 times, the first time with just me alone. From that trip, I learned about the Companion Restrooms, a real blessing if you have a teen/adult of the opposite sex who needs toileting help. The first aid stations and the baby stations also provide a usually quiet spot for changing, giving meds, and calming. Just ask a cast member to mark them on the map for you at Guest Services.

Remember to stop and watch the ducks or whatever thing your child enjoys. Soak up the Disney ambiance and don't worry about rushing to rides. Once he/she acclimates, you'll probably have an easier time doing the attractions.
You might find your kid is actually pretty well behaved compared to some of the others! (That happened to us.) Don't skip meals, go back to your room and rest during the hottest part of the day, or use the pool to burn off extra energy. You'll have a great time if you don't worry too much about what others will think and just concentrate on enjoying the moment. I also suggest the Passporter's Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs book--wonderful help!

Be sure to "label" your kid with a wristband or similar so if he/she gets separated from you, getting back together will be easier. Add your cell phone number if you will be carrying one. (Disney security is wonderful--but why not just take my word for it! ;-))

Our most magic moment at WDW came on our last visit. While I waited in line to go through Security at the opening of Animal Kingdom, my husband took our son to wait on a bench. The characters were visiting with folks as they entered, and the Friar Tuck character, who was at least 50 feet away, noticed my son and came over to him. He sat with him, hugged him and helped set a wonderful tone for the day. Even my cynical husband was impressed and grateful.

Enjoy the trip and tell us how it went when you get back.
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[merrymom]

Does anyone else have a "magic moment" your autistic child had at WDW that they would like to share? (I know....so many to choose from!!) [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yeahthat.gif[/img]

[Luv4My4]

Ok I do not have a child with autism but I am sitting here bawling at these wonderful stories. I love Disney Magic [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]!!

[Karyn89]

We took our son Christopher in Feb who has Aspergers. We all wanted to go to all 4 parks but that was a little overwhelming for him. So luckily grandma and grandpa came with us and watched him while we did the parks. He said next time we go he wants to spend time in just the two parks he did not see and he wants to go back to MK to ride Big Thunder which he rode 4 times!!!

My advice to anyone is don't try to do to many parks in the week that you are there, or take an extra adult along that can watch your child while you hit all of them. Defintly get a guest assistance pass and try to plan your trip when the park is not as busy. I know this is hard to do because of kids vacations from school, but they will learn alot while they are there so to me it was worth the week of school they missed!

[teacher1]

I have always traveled off season in Feb, Oct. or early December. My son seems to cope well with that. We just use the touring plans and fast pass. The problems are parades which we have just skipped. He doesn't do well sitting and waiting on the curb and that seems to be a where he feels to "crowded" by other people. He also obsesses over certain rides he wants to do over and over which can be a problem if you don't hit them at the right time. Before we go to the park, we try to give him a schedule of what we are going to do when. Now that he is older it is going to be impossible to pull him out for the off season. I think we will probably have to go as soon as school gets out and spread the vacation out over several days to avoid busy times. We might try to get the GAC as a back up just in case.

One other thing, MVMCP was a disaster! Very crowded at the beginning when everyone is put in that one area. It was the most crowded time we had during that week (2nd week in December). We ended up leaving early because of the all the chaos.

[merrymom]

We found MVMCP to be a bit overwhelming as well! We did in in the middle of our trip so DS and DD had a chance to experience MK attractions in the days before the event. This way, we felt no pressure to do rides during MVMCP; we just went for the shows and the parade.

I guess it just depends on the individual child. My DS is predominantly sensory seeking, although he can get sensory defensive when it comes to fireworks. The music and crowds were not that disturbing to him b/c we didn't wait on line during that time. We also made sure he took a nap that afternoon and spent some time in the whirlpool tub (helps him to get deep pressure) before heading out to the MK.

You really can't tell how your child will react to the situation until you're in it! I think its good that you at least tried it; the worst that can happen is that you have to leave early.

I would like to try MNSSHP someday!