Alone with Autistic DS, 18.

[AJKMOM]

Mom (me) and DS, 18, autistic, I wondered if anyone has traveled with an opposite-sex special needs child. Any tips? Would I be out of line to steer him to the Family-Companion bathrooms? Would I be out of line to ask a CM to watch if he comes out of a restroom before me? I started thinking about the bathroom situation just last night. Seemed like a good idea at the time!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I will answer the last part first.

Usually you will not find CMs hanging around near the restorooms. Even if you found one who agreed to keep an eye out for your son, the CM could easily be distracted by another guest asking questions and not pay attention to watching for him, or another CM could come up and tell that person it is time for them to leave on a break, or anything which would for the CM, take priority.

When you say he is autistic, the question comes to mind of what are the specific problems/needs. How does he handle going to the bathroom in school, or in other public places? Is he able to follow instructions? For example, can you wait until he comes out and then tell him to sit or stand in a particular place until you return and then you go to the bathroom?

Don't forget, that for some people the companion restrooms are the only ones they are able to use.

 

[Forevryoung]

I dont think you can ask a CM to do that for you... too much responsibility on their part.

If you feel more comfortable using the companion restroom go for it (they are not family restrooms... but thats a different story).

I also think it depends on your sons level of functioning. If he had a cell phone on him (even if you wound up getting a cheap prepaid only for the trip) would he answer it if it rang? If he gets seperated from you, would he know to find a CM or would he just keep walking?

You can do it and you will have a great time. It's ok to figure out these details BEFORE the trip

 

[AJKMOM]

My fear is that he will "finish" before me and wander without looking for me.

I will not ask any CM's I guess that's too much responsibility, but look for the special needs bathrooms. Off to Allears for a list. Thanks for the advice.

 

[tmli]

I have travelled alone many times with ds who is now 10. If necessary he came into the womens washroom with me and when necessary we used "companion" washrooms. You have a son older than mine so I am not there yet. I say you do whatever you need to for the safety and comfort of your son.

If that is companion washrooms....then you have ever right to use them. I would imagine at his age accompanying you to the ladies room would not be an option.

 

[HopperFan]

I sent you a PM.

 

[SueM in MN]

::yes:;
You and your son are perfect examples of people who need to use the Companion Restrooms.
allearsnet does have page that lists the locations and also has a picture of a typical Companion Restroom.
Just so you know, if you go in with your son, they are one big bathroom with no privacy from anyone else in the room. There are a few that have a screening wall between the door and the bathroom part, but you may not want him over there when you are using the bathroom in case he decides to 'escape'.
We have found that people assume they are Family Restrooms and we sometimes have a long wait behind families or get a lot of knocks on the door from people wanting to get in. I know some of these might be other people with disabilities trying to find out if the room is empty. But, I know some are families because I can hear conversations they are having (Mom:"Knock on the door again, Timmy, and tell them to hurry." Timmy:"Can't I just go in with dad?")

Another option (which is much quieter) is to use the restrroms in First Aid. Those are also single room toilets and you could stand outside the door while he is inside. I don't know if the CMs at First Aid would watch him for the few minutes that you are using the toilet yourself, but it's worth a try if the Companion Restrooms don't work out for you. First Aid locations are marked on the map for each park.