Autism and kid's clubs

[alli817]

Not sure if I should post this here or in the disabilities group. My daughter is autistic and we have been on 3 disney cruises and she has loved the kids clubs. She's currently 12 and will be 13 for our next cruise and I'm really worried about her not being able to attend the oceaneer club/lab. She is somewhat immature and not sure if she will like the Edge.

Anyone else have this experience? What do they do in the edge? what sort of supervision is there? Does disney ever make an age exception (HA! i know they won't but one can wish right?!) she'll be newly 13.

Thanks guys, maybe I'm just a super over protective parent, but honestly the clubs have helped her and us have wonderful vacations.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Not sure if I should post this here or in the disabilities group. My daughter is autistic and we have been on 3 disney cruises and she has loved the kids clubs. She's currently 12 and will be 13 for our next cruise and I'm really worried about her not being able to attend the oceaneer club/lab. She is somewhat immature and not sure if she will like the Edge.

Anyone else have this experience? What do they do in the edge? what sort of supervision is there? Does disney ever make an age exception (HA! i know they won't but one can wish right?!) she'll be newly 13.

Thanks guys, maybe I'm just a super over protective parent, but honestly the clubs have helped her and us have wonderful vacations.

No, she will not be allowed in Oceaneer's during the secured programming.

You can take her to Oceaneer's during the Open House hours, but you'll need to remain with her.

Edge is more relaxed, no check in/check out. She'll be able to come and go as she wishes. You can ask the CMs there to "keep an eye on her", but they can't/won't stop her from leaving.

 

[Shanti]

Not sure if I should post this here or in the disabilities group. My daughter is autistic and we have been on 3 disney cruises and she has loved the kids clubs. She's currently 12 and will be 13 for our next cruise and I'm really worried about her not being able to attend the oceaneer club/lab. She is somewhat immature and not sure if she will like the Edge.

Anyone else have this experience? What do they do in the edge? what sort of supervision is there? Does disney ever make an age exception (HA! i know they won't but one can wish right?!) she'll be newly 13.

Thanks guys, maybe I'm just a super over protective parent, but honestly the clubs have helped her and us have wonderful vacations.

My son is high-functioning autistic, doesn't socialize easily, and never liked Edge. It's pretty free-form in there, with groups of kids socializing & playing with the equipment on their own.

 

[Rob1872]

My youngest is autistic; he was happier when he was able to move up from the Oceaneer's to Edge because he liked the video games. Our only worry was him being able to leave on his own and get lost; however, he happily stayed playing games until it was time to go. (And my oldest was also in Edge so he could go with my youngest to get him settled in, and then swing by to get him before dinner, etc.; so that worked well for us.) The only thing he didn't like was when they had more 'structured' items; however, the CMs didn't make him participate if he didn't want to so everything stayed happy.

 

[Jenlynn3]

My daughter is on the autism spectrum, now 16. We have sailed 3x, going our 4th in July. She has been in the Club (age 5), Lab (9) and Edge (12). Each time has been different as she grew and changed over the years how she handled her sensory and social issues. Whe. Always had her very social( only 13 months older) with her. The first time, I would go check in often, and only let them stay for a few hours at a time. The second time, a little more room and I was paged when they wanted to leave. Last time she could come and go but she had to always be with her sister or cousin. I always let counselors know even up to this upcoming cruise I will too. Although my girls were more bored in the Edge than the lab and club.

 

[gotomu212]

No, she will not be allowed in Oceaneer's during the secured programming.

You can take her to Oceaneer's during the Open House hours, but you'll need to remain with her.

Edge is more relaxed, no check in/check out. She'll be able to come and go as she wishes. You can ask the CMs there to "keep an eye on her", but they can't/won't stop her from leaving.

I just wanted to clarify one thing- you do not need to stay with her during open house. Kids with check in/out privileges can be in OH clubs without an adult. However there will not be any supervision and they are feee to come and go as they please (just like a self check kid with any other part of the ship).