Advice needed for Autistic child

[PrincessSuzanne]

My cousin may be joining us on our trip in December. She has a beautiful 6 year old son with Autism. I would like to know what advice she may need to know to make this a smooth trip.

He is probably a sensory seeker and seems to be scared of NOTHING, from what I have observed.

He will eat almost anthing, so that is not a problem.

Does she need to get a GAC?

She did say that when they have to stand in line, sometimes he like to touch other people ie: like a friends backpack looks interesting, so he touches it, a child has a stuffed animal and he wants to look at it, so he touches it. She doesn't want to upset someone else if he does that. She is working on that with him, but he still does it sometimes and I believe it will be more enticing at WDW.

I also know that sometimes when he gets excited, he flaps his hands and dances around on his tip toes.

His mother has had a heart valve replaced, so she won't be able to ride alot of the rides he will want to, but we have that covered, because his aunt and my DH will ride the coasters with him.

This mom also has a 9 year old with ADHD and a soon to be 3 year old that is very busy, but she will have plenty of hands to help out, because it is her first trip and the first trip for the 2 younger children. We took her oldest with us on our first trip and she will be coming back with us in June.

Also, if anyone has any suggestions for her, besides taking it easy, which she will, because we do have to have down time everyday.

I want to make this a very magical trip for them.


Suzanne

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you want to get a GAC for him, you have to be able to explain to Guest Services what his needs are. A GAC is not given on the basis of a diagnoses, but to assist in providing accommodations that cannot be provided by waiting in a normal queue.

 

[mamacate]

I don't have the most recent edition, but the Passporter Special Needs book was very useful to us in planning our first trip. It has very detailed information about every ride and resort that is relevant to a whole range of disabilities.

I think if you describe your concerns to guest services when you arrive they will be able to help you out.

My son is a major sensory seeker and I was shocked at how mellow and relaxed (okay 90% of the time) he was while we were at WDW. It's a great place for sensory seeking kids--I'm guessing you'll have no trouble having a magical time!

Cate

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Thanks mamacate, I have the newest edition of the book, had to confiscate it from mom, and will read it this weekend.

That is what I thought about the GAC, we don't have to have one, because we use an ECV and FP's.

I sure hope he does well. I think he will, especially when he sees POTC and Dinoland. Pirates and Dinosaurs are his favorite things.

Suzanne

 

[MelAnderson]

For standing in line, can an adult, and/or another sibling stand directly in front of and behind of the little boy? My son used to like to touch people too (I was constantly apologizing profusely and luckily most people were understanding) so my sister and I "sandwiched" him.

HTH

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

For standing in line, can an adult, and/or another sibling stand directly in front of and behind of the little boy? My son used to like to touch people too (I was constantly apologizing profusely and luckily most people were understanding) so my sister and I "sandwiched" him.

HTH

I am not sure how well that would work, but wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

Suzanne

 

[stenickar]

Another option for the touching is to give him a handheld game to play. They make a Yahtzee game that makes noise and the dice "roll". It also has lots of buttons to push. The child does not need to know how to play the game, it is just fun to watch the dice, push the buttons and hear the sounds. Also if he has a favorite toy that he likes to carry it may help him to keep his hands occupied. You may also want to look at bringing some sensory balls-the kind with the liquid in them or the ones that have the rubbery strings hanging from them can help keep hands busy. You can usually get these at WalMart for $1-3. Waiting in line is also a great time to have a snack. My ds with autism needs to be reinforced for appropriate behavior continually. I learned that you can cut gummy bears into tiny pieces with a pill cutter. You can buy one at WalMart. I cut the bears into tiny pieces and handed them to him at 5-10 second intervals. It kept him quiet and he wasn't getting too much food. HTH

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Another option for the touching is to give him a handheld game to play. They make a Yahtzee game that makes noise and the dice "roll". It also has lots of buttons to push. The child does not need to know how to play the game, it is just fun to watch the dice, push the buttons and hear the sounds. Also if he has a favorite toy that he likes to carry it may help him to keep his hands occupied. You may also want to look at bringing some sensory balls-the kind with the liquid in them or the ones that have the rubbery strings hanging from them can help keep hands busy. You can usually get these at WalMart for $1-3. Waiting in line is also a great time to have a snack. My ds with autism needs to be reinforced for appropriate behavior continually. I learned that you can cut gummy bears into tiny pieces with a pill cutter. You can buy one at WalMart. I cut the bears into tiny pieces and handed them to him at 5-10 second intervals. It kept him quiet and he wasn't getting too much food. HTH

These are all great ideas! I was also thinking he could benefit from some small sensory toys while in line. You can get small squishy balls, koosh balls or plastic animals, cars, etc. These can be easily carried in a purse and will give him something to touch and squeeze. Be sure to get new things that he hasn't seen before to make them more interesting. Just make sure the toys are one piece. It's too hard to have pieces hitting the ground and rolling away. Small snacks are also a good idea. Maybe choose things that he doesn't have often to make them more enticing. Be sure to use Fastpass to cut down on waiting in lines.

 

[AJKMOM]

There may be times when you need a GAC, like when you have a Fast Pass for a later time and want to try a different ride. You should get one in case it's needed. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to use it; that is why they offer the service. My SIL always says "God gave us Kevin because we are Disney people". Disney is a great place to go with special needs citizens, they are very accommodating.

 

[caldisneyfan]

Hi everyone,
Sorry I have looked at all of the posts and I have not found a disABILITIES! page for Disneyland.
My DS 7 has ADHD and ASD (PDD-NOS). He is ok with short waits but long ones may cause a melt down. We explanded this at city hall on our trip last year and the CM told us that a pass was not issued any more. Is this true? I really think this would help our DS to enjoy the parks alot more. We have discussed getting a note from his doctor. Would this help in gettinng a GAC?
Thanks

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would get him a GAC card. I do social stories with DS.

 

[Bugsmom73]

Hi everyone,
Sorry I have looked at all of the posts and I have not found a disABILITIES! page for Disneyland.
My DS 7 has ADHD and ASD (PDD-NOS). He is ok with short waits but long ones may cause a melt down. We explanded this at city hall on our trip last year and the CM told us that a pass was not issued any more. Is this true? I really think this would help our DS to enjoy the parks alot more. We have discussed getting a note from his doctor. Would this help in gettinng a GAC?
Thanks

I am hoping this is not the case. DS is a sensory seeker for the most part but lines are a no go for the most part, he is also auditorially defensive.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

At Disneyland they now issue Guest Assistance CArds, which are basically the same as those issued here. If you go to Page 6 of the disABILITIES FAQ it will talk about GACs and Page 14 of the FAQ is about Disneyland. The FAQ (currently) is the second item in the threads listing, or you can just follow the link in my signature.

 

[caldisneyfan]

Thanks Cheshire Figment,
Hi Bugsmom73,
Looks like your family is arriving the day before we are.
We are staying on sight at GCH as it makes it easer to take a break and go back to the room when DS need's to.
Hope to see ya there!