Anybody have a child with Autism that DIDN'T want to go to WDW?

[JustLikeHeaven]

We've been planning a trip to DW since our last trip in May of 2005. Our son was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism last February and has had some pretty bad sensory problems. He stated during our planning that he did NOT want to go and he'd rather stay with his Grandparents. As a huge Disney fan that has always dreamed of sharing many Disney vacations with our son, I was somewhat crushed. We decided that it probably would be a little much for him and we didn't want to put him in an uncomfortable situation.

My husband and I struggled with the idea of going ourselves or just scrapping the vacation all together and finally came to the conclusion that we'd go this time and maybe he could go at a later date. Our son is 5 1/2 and my husband and I have not been on a vacation since he was born. We're going on a shortened trip so I can get my Disney "fix."

Now with my husband and I just over two months away from going, our son is showing interest in going. His sensory problems are improving and he is in love with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (especially Daisy). He's talking about going and meeting Daisy and the rest of the gang. I'm extremely pleased that he is finally showing interest and we may just go to Orlando in 2009 (Thank you Mom and Dad for owning a FL timeshare) and we may try one day at the MK.

I was wondering if anyone else here has had a similiar situation???
I should mention that my son went to WDW when he was two, but his sensory issues were nowhere near as bad as they've been the last two years.

Sorry for the long post. I'd appreciate any feedback you may have.

Thanks

 

[ireland_nicole]

Our situation is not exactly the same, in that my kids love the idea of going to Disney, and really love being at the parks. However, when I surprised them with this trip, they were very upset; full melt downs, not fun. So, what I learned is that they don't like surprises. They need to know in advance what to plan for. They need to have some level of control. If your DS is able to articulate what it is that he doesn't like about Disney, it might help. Plus, you can work on strategies to adapt or modify the experience if it's going to create sensory overload. For instance; if it's too loud; bring ear protectors, if too bright; sunglasses, too dark; penlight, I make them each a hip pack w/ a kids MP3 player, penlight, sunglasses, hat, fidget, ear protectors, and a notebook. They also help me usually with the days plan. I go over each days plan the day before, too at the hotel. First we will a, then b, then c, etc. I hope he is able to enjoy this trip with you. Have fun!

 

[bookwormde]

Here is the usual situation

New things are scary and cause anxiety. There is the travel, not sleeping at home, challenges of the parks etc.

He has had time to process the idea and is working his way through the multitude of concerns that he had.

WDW is a magical place for our children (mine is Aspergers) and we use it as an excellent “clinical” setting for him to grow socially.

he is at the age where anxiety is very high (starting school) and sensory issues are maxed out and you are just leaning how to mange the situation.

Do not think you will “get away” with 1 day at MK, I would be surprised, EPCOT and AK are also great for our son.

Having extra family along is also helpful and fun (we are doing a grand villa, grande gathering next June).

There a lots of old threads on this section which will give you a lot of what you need to know to prepare and how to handle all aspects of the vacation.

Relax, plan and enjoy your son.

bookwormde

 

[kaffinito]

My youngest didn't want to go on his first trip either. He was full of anxiety about the trip, and kept saying he didn't want to go. I didn't push it, but I did have him look at some rides and things on You Tube. I also showed him photos of the resort, the room, the pools, and the food court. He gradually was ok with going, because he knew what to expect. As long as he can see what a place/event will look like, he's ok with it. We also practiced waiting in lines, and what to do if lost. I made sure to pack his favorite clothes, his favorite pillow and blanket, and his favorite stuffed toys, and showed him these things in the suitcase so he would know for sure they were there.

He was great the first trip, and now he likes to go to WDW.

Good luck with your trip!

 

[toodycat]

We surprised our DS (PDD) with a trip to WDW when he was about 9 or 10 and it was not all that well-received because we had interrupted his television viewing time and he was a pretty regimented guy then. However, once he got there, he was reasonably cooperative, if not overjoyed. It took a little while to get over the disruption to his schedule. He likes some things very much: Philharmagic, Winnie the Pooh, Toy Story, and especially the Buzz Lightyear ride. He also enjoys the parades. We have to avoid any attractions with loud noises e.g. tiki birds and Fantasmic and definitely not the dinosaur attraction at AK. He also enjoys mask characters, but not face characters. Epcot appeals to him because it is a little quieter and a little slower in pace. Taking a midday break and returning to the hotel for some rest and a swim were also helpful.

I hope your son has a wonderful trip whenever you choose to take him.

 

[cmhand30]

Our DS17 has Aspergers. Diagnosed at 15 unfortunately. We have been on many trips to WDW that were very difficult without GAC cards (didn't know about them). We knew he had ADHD & OD for many years prior.
Well this year he said "No thank you, had enough, save your money."

So we are going this December with out him.

We had always used other alternatives to deal with his issues. Fastpasses, gamesboys, short lines, breaks in the day.

 

[lucigo]

My son is 5 and has autism, and our first trip was a big surprise for me. I really had to watch his reactions and figure out how to make things work. He did not like the rides at all, especially the inside type rides. The best we did was the carousel and I believe that was because he could see what was going to happen, no surprises. He loved, loved, loved Pop Century (letters and numbers everywhere). He loved sitting in a pile of polished rocks at a gift shop and studying them. He even liked the characters, which we had not really even considered to be something he would enjoy. HATED fireworks, and was ready to walk home after the dinosaur ride at AK. (I know big mistake!)

You just don't know what you are going to get until you get there, and you have to be prepared to give your ASD child time to enjoy the things that will make his vacation a magical one too.

 

[buzz for boys]

My ds7 as aspergers and hates the idea of disney but when we get there is a different child - I can honestly say the idea of disney drives him mad but the reality when we are there is a relaxed smily child !! In fact he is no different than my other 2 boys!! He has proper full on meltdowns at the idea of gettig on plane - we are having social stories done as i type so hopefully they will help take the anxiety away and he 2 can enjoy the build up !!
Hope that helps x x x

 

[blondietink]

My DS, age 16 with Classic Autism absolutely loves WDW! He just plain loves to travel, period, no matter where we go. Whether we fly or drive, he is in heaven looking at all the new signs, memorizing the road/park maps, flying on different airlines, seeing new hotels and restaurants, seeing the characters, parades, shows and fireworks. I have found that he needs to have help in processing all that is going on around him, so we now use an adult travel chair or wheelchair to manauver him around the parks (used to use a stroller as a wheelchair until he got too big). If we didn't, he would have meltdowns from being hot and tired, wander away when he saw something intersting, get lost, cry when the parade didnt' get to where we were standing right at the start, etc..

In 2007 we were not going anywhere for summer vacation and he got very upset about not traveling. So, we had to plan a last minute vacation close by just to calm him down.

 

[kat_balou]

Our ds11 didn't say too much when we told him about going to DW. He had some anxiety about the plane ride and the hardest part for him was not knowing what to expect.

When we got there he had a few magical moments. (He LOVED test track and that was the one ride that just made his face light up.) He also liked the penny pressing machines and pin trading. However, overall, he wasn't happy and had many meltdowns. I put months and months of planning into this trip to make it as easy as it could be for ds. But he had so much anxiety and tried to control our every move because he felt so out of his comfort zone. When we got home I thought he was going to kiss the ground.

Dh and I decided early on in our trip that next time ds would be much happier staying home.

 

[su_A_ve]

My younger DS (ASD high functioning) had his first trip in 2003 before he turned 3. At the time we didn't know. We went on Nov. and it was a little rough at times. He was almost non verbal at the time.

A couple of trips later, he found his own interests. The actual drive down for example, or riding the monorail, the people mover or the train.

On 2005 we went to BC. On 2006 we went to the YC (could not get rooms in BC). After that, he wrote his own story based on a book he had: "our trip to the Beach Club". It was all about his drive down, talking about picnics at the rest areas or the hotel itself.

We are going back this Dec (CBR). He doesn't know yet but he'll probably find out a few weeks before. He does not like surprises, however since his current interestes are road signs, dinosaurs and some Playhouse Disney characters, he will have a good time. We recently watch the vacation planner DVD. He remembers the CR and wants to get off the monoroail and go to the top floor. So this time we are going to Chef Mickey's for dinner.

He wants to go the tower of terror - he's facinated by elevators as well. We explain it to him that it's not any elevator and that it drops and he'll feel weird, but he doesn't mind. He wants to get to the 13th floor. Maybe I'll take courage myself and take him - maybe he won't want to go to another elevator !

For him is still the trip itself. This year, however there are some interests that would appeal to him. He loves China and Japan, so Epcot will be a must stop and Teppan Edo as well. He likes planets and the universe, and maybe he'll to to Mission Space. And recently with his new interest in dinosaurs, there's AK...

Dec will be crowded, though the GAC will help. Last two trips (both in Oct) I think we used it once or twice. FP was all what we needed otherwise.

 

[vcunning]

He does not like surprises, however since his current interestes are road signs, dinosaurs and some Playhouse Disney characters, he will have a good time.

You made me laugh. I forgot about a vacation with my DS few years ago (he was 5 at the time and has Asperger Syndrome). We have a whole collection of pictures of him standing in front of different road signs.

He's now 9 and loves Disney World. Yes, he likes the thrill rides, but his biggest interest is in the hidden mickeys. He's got the book memorized and could win any Disney trivia contest, I'm sure.

 

[momejay]

I have 2 children with autism. Both love Disney, but each had little things we would have to do to prevent problems. My son feared fireworks & hated Disney after dark, but he has calmed & loves it now. If I could just keep him from eating things he finds on the ground...
Although mainstreamed into 8th grade, my girl is very schedule oriented & we have a strict routine after dinner or she can't function. Once my she could tell time, our biggest problem was if she realized she was up past her bedtime, or shower time, or snack time. We now have to take our watches off & tell her "hurry up you're late" when we get back to the room. I also unplug the clock in the room. She hasn't figured out that our cell phones have clocks yet. I dread the day she does.
She panics before we leave. She gets very worried about her school work, her friends, & her routine. Everything has it's place & someone may touch something while we are gone. She, if anyone will someday tell me it is too stressful for her to go. I hope that never happens!