Autism and Pal Mickey

[Christine43]

Has anyone with an autistic child had a positive experience with Pal Mickey? Were they interested in it and amuse them? I'm considering getting it to keep Perry busy and amuse him but $65 is a lot of money to waste. Thanks, Christine

 

[pcparamedics01]

Has anyone with an autistic child had a positive experience with Pal Mickey? Were they interested in it and amuse them? I'm considering getting it to keep Perry busy and amuse him but $65 is a lot of money to waste. Thanks, Christine

It is like your own personal tour guide! I have an ASD child and it does not grasp his attention or amuse him. Each ASD child is different. I think it is a waste of money.

 

[Andyjo0930]

We bought in on our first trip when my autistic son was 3. At that time, he did not interact with it at all. It has been sitting on my shelf at home and we just went again this past august and my son is now almost 6. I dusted Mickey off and we brought him again. Again, in the parks, my son was not interested in him at all (there is just way too much stuff going on that he was interested in.) BUT at the hotel, when he was by himself and just relaxing, he liked to play with him. He liked the jokes and the games you can play with him.

 

[lalapodip]

My DS age 12 enjoyed Pal Mickey again during our April trip. He pretty much ignores it at home, so it's a fun distraction for him while he's riding in his stroller in the parks. He loves the shaking & the way Mickey laughs.

He was also LOVING the display of Pal Mickeys in the stores, where he would make as many as he could reach all talk at the same time. Free entertainment! Actually, he really likes the demo mode, which goes away once you make the purchase...

 

[judisohn]

My daughter with high functioning autism/Asperger's was 10 at the time of our last Disney trip. She talked us into buying Pal Mickey for her. It turned out to be great because it was something to hold when she needed something sensory in her hands (to compensate for the sensory overload her eyes and ears were experiencing). It also helped her plan ahead a bit, and loved being the one to provide the family with all the tips & tricks the doll told her about.

But every kid is different. My daughter is high functioning enough that it had value for her.

 

[Christine43]

Thanks, everyone. I think I'm going to buy one!