Autism - Aspergers

[joedy76]

My 7 yr old son is autistic with Aspergers. We are going to Florida next month and someone mentioned once about a card you can get so he does not have to wait too long in queues???? Anyone know of this?? He gets DLA and queuing is a major problem for him. Thanks

 

[bookwormde]

Welcome,
If you dig through the "stickies" up top you will find information about the GAC card. It allows for alternate entrances and waiting areas. it s not intended to shorten the wait, but is a big help for not being stuck in the "cattle chute" and all the issues that creates. Fast passes help a lot also.
We have a very active Austim/Aspergers community on the community section of this board so come over and visit.
There are lots of parents of Aspergers kids who have made many trips to WDW on this board so if you have any question about their techniques for making WDW the magical place for our kids feel free to ask.
bookwormde

 

[Earstou]

Also consider using a touring plan like TourGuideMike. We went in July a few years ago and used him due to crowd issues. I had vowed years ago that I would never go in the summertime again, due to big crowds. But dh is a teacher now and we had no choice. I was pleasantly surprised because TourGuideMike made it easy.

There is a link at the very top of the Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies page for $3 off.

 

[Renosiris]

Yes, there is a guest assistance card that you can get. Despite some of the information floating around on the web, you do not need to bring a letter. Each park has a section close to the entrance way, and you can speak with those CM's about what you're needs are. We were given the card helped us with his needs. We already knew that after 25 minutes my son was no longer able to handle his sensory or crowd issues. I often felt shy about showing them the card. My boyfriend had to keep reminding me that we go through unique things as a family every day and certainly deserve one day of being cut a break.

Don't expect not to get dirty looks and questions from people that are also at the park. My son doesn't look any different from any other neurotypical child, so naturally we got a few looks but after the first few times I didn't notice anymore.

 

[mrsmarilyn]

My 7 yr old son is autistic with Aspergers. We are going to Florida next month and someone mentioned once about a card you can get so he does not have to wait too long in queues???? Anyone know of this?? He gets DLA and queuing is a major problem for him. Thanks

I have an Aspie/HFA boy myself (almost 9). The card you are looking for is mentioned in the stickies at the top--but as stated, it is not a jump to the front of the line/no wait card. You should still get FastPass when necessary. It does, however, provide for alternate waiting areas which are a Godsend for us--it's the crowds and non-stop stimulation that get to him. He is ok waiting as long as he has some space. (well, as ok as any 8 year old waiting ;-)

Unfortunately waiting in line is just part of the Disney experience. One way to help is have an adult wait in the line and let the other adult run him around a bit during the wait.

Have fun.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Unfortunately waiting in line is just part of the Disney experience. One way to help is have an adult wait in the line and let the other adult run him around a bit during the wait.

If this involves having to weave through the line to catch up to the person waiting in line then it is not a good option. People in line get VERY upset with those who try to weave through to get to somebody holding a spot for others. In addition, I don't know too many Aspies who could handle bumping into that many people as they sqeezed through plus all those people glaring as you do so could lead to a full blown meltdown. This would NEVER work for my Aspie (she's now 12)

While the GAC is extremely helpful for being able to wait in places where there's more room to move, what has been most helpful to us is a good touring plan. TourGuide Mike will now be in my arsenal of tools for every future trip we take. We hardly used our GAC during our trip over Christmas (yes you read that right, over Christmas). A good touring plan can help you avoid the crowds and lines in the first place in which case you really don't need any kind of accomodations since there are little to no waits or crowds to begin with. We only used our GAC at the really popular rides. Just about everything else was practically walk-on so no need for it (including Dumbo and Peter Pan and Space Mountain if you can believe it).

 

[Skyler01]

It is very difficult for children with Aspergers to stand in a queue and wait. They feel very irritated. Most adolescents with moderate to severe Aspergers show no interest to others. They don’t interact with people. Some of them get nervous at the thought of approaching others.

 

[jt'smom]

It is very difficult for children with Aspergers to stand in a queue and wait. They feel very irritated. Most adolescents with moderate to severe Aspergers show no interest to others. They don’t interact with people. Some of them get nervous at the thought of approaching others.[/QUOTE

i have a 13 y.o. aspie son, and he is completely able to wait in the queue.

 

[clanmcculloch]

It is very difficult for children with Aspergers to stand in a queue and wait. They feel very irritated. Most adolescents with moderate to severe Aspergers show no interest to others. They don’t interact with people. Some of them get nervous at the thought of approaching others.

i have a 13 y.o. aspie son, and he is completely able to wait in the queue.

When it comes to any of the forms of autism including Aspergers, it really isn't a good idea to make generalizations that suggest all do this or that. If you've met one child with Aspergers, all that means is you've met one child with Aspergers. No two are alike. Two of Aspie DD12's best friends are also Aspies and it's amazing how different they all are. Yes they have the same diagnosis but that's really where the similiarities end.

No interest in others? All of the Aspies I've met have great interest in other people. I'm sure there are some that have no interest in others but that doesn't mean all are like this. With my understanding of Asperger Syndrome I'd say most likely this is the minority. Asperger Syndrome involves social deficits for sure but not a complete disinterest in people. I'd say if there's a complete disinterest in people then the child more likely has a form of autism more severe than Asperger Syndrome.

Like jt'smom shows, not all kids with Asperger syndrome have the same needs. My daughter can wait but not in the queues which is why the alternate entrance GAC is great for us. This is exactly why though people need to be able to explain their need rather then stating a diagnosis when speaking with Guest Relations.

 

[kampfirekim]

When it comes to any of the forms of autism including Aspergers, it really isn't a good idea to make generalizations that suggest all do this or that. If you've met one child with Aspergers, all that means is you've met one child with Aspergers. No two are alike. Two of Aspie DD12's best friends are also Aspies and it's amazing how different they all are. Yes they have the same diagnosis but that's really where the similiarities end.
No interest in others? All of the Aspies I've met have great interest in other people. I'm sure there are some that have no interest in others but that doesn't mean all are like this. With my understanding of Asperger Syndrome I'd say most likely this is the minority. Asperger Syndrome involves social deficits for sure but not a complete disinterest in people. I'd say if there's a complete disinterest in people then the child more likely has a form of autism more severe than Asperger Syndrome.

________________________________________________________________
I totally agree!!! My DS5 has Autism and I have learned that Autistics and Aspie's are like snowflakes, no two are alike. DS does try to interact with others (he just doesn't know how to appropriately). I have heard some need to be in calm and quiet places while that drives mine berserk most of the time. Instead he likes to be in constant motion. He loves Splash Mountain (especially the drop), BTMR, Test Track, and the Fireworks do not upset him at all. In fact he gets very excited and loves them. Thanks for pointing out the fact that in spite of a same or similar DX they are still individuals and extremely different.

 

[deerhart]

No interest in others? All of the Aspies I've met have great interest in other people. I'm sure there are some that have no interest in others but that doesn't mean all are like this. With my understanding of Asperger Syndrome I'd say most likely this is the minority. Asperger Syndrome involves social deficits for sure but not a complete disinterest in people. I'd say if there's a complete disinterest in people then the child more likely has a form of autism more severe than Asperger Syndrome.

Like jt'smom shows, not all kids with Asperger syndrome have the same needs. My daughter can wait but not in the queues which is why the alternate entrance GAC is great for us. This is exactly why though people need to be able to explain their need rather then stating a diagnosis when speaking with Guest Relations.

Under the DMS IV, the criteria for Aspegers and classical autism are the same except for the language portion in that a child diagnosed with Aspergers has to be able to put together a 2 word sentence by the age of 3. The severity of the exhibited behaviors required for the diagnosis in Autism, Aspegers, and PDD-NOS are exactly the same. The conditions all pretty much use the same set of criteria for diagnosis with a few twists on each one (language for aspie, pdd-nos is the catch all phrasing).

I agree, need is WAY WAY more important then diagnosis because even with the same diagnosis, needs are different. I have asthma and my needs regarding my asthma are way different then the needs of someone else with asthma.

 

[JESW]

I have a ds15 with Asperger's who has been going to Disney since he was 22 months old. Starting before he was your sons age what helped him in line was his gameboy - something to keep his mind off the fact that he was waiting in line. Now he carries a gameboy, ipod and a drawing pad so he will always have something to do if we need to wait at all. Are there things you can bring to keep him occupied?

Jill

 

[kampfirekim]

I have a ds15 with Asperger's who has been going to Disney since he was 22 months old. Starting before he was your sons age what helped him in line was his gameboy - something to keep his mind off the fact that he was waiting in line. Now he carries a gameboy, ipod and a drawing pad so he will always have something to do if we need to wait at all. Are there things you can bring to keep him occupied?

Jill

Not sure who your reply was for, but here goes. Those are fantastic ideas, but DS5 is unable, at least for now, to understand the point or even the fine motor to manipulate a game boy. Gross motor is superhuman, hence the ridiculous amount of motion. The ADHD eval asks if he seems to be driven by a motor. YEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!! He would only sleep around 5 hrs per night without meds. He would not tolerate the headphones for an ipod for over 1.5 seconds, if at all. He usually obsesses over having certain small objects in his hands at all times. If there is a lot of visual stimulation involving things he likes we can distract him fairly easily. If not...look out! He is very bright and engaged most of the time which makes all of the behavioral and speech deficits that much more frustrating! Snacks work well to a point, but we can only feed him so much and try to use this tactic sparingly. He is a runner and a very fast one at that. At first opportunity he will bolt. We're considering a child finder device. We've taken him to WDW every year since I was pregnant with him, along with DS6, so we are not beginners at this, but he is getting stronger and faster. All tips, advice and kind opinions are welcome.

 

[Schmeck]

I suggest getting a stroller, and getting a 'stroller as a wheelchair' tag for it. Strap the runner in, and he'll have a safe place to tune out, and you'll know where he is.

 

[kampfirekim]

I suggest getting a stroller, and getting a 'stroller as a wheelchair' tag for it. Strap the runner in, and he'll have a safe place to tune out, and you'll know where he is.

We already do that. It's those moments that he's out that we have to be vigilant over. While he does take comfort in his little "cocoon". He, being as energetic as he is, has to come out often for a little spin, flap and jump time. Admittedly, his therapists and teachers say he is a challenge and one of the fastest they deal with, but also one of the brightest. I'll take that! Our prob with the stroller is that he is a very large 5 yr old. He looks more like a first or second grader and is on the very edge of not fitting into traditional stroller. (You can imagine the stares we get with that big kid stuffed in a smaller stroller!) At Sue in MN's suggestion we have looked into a larger adaptive stroller. Hopefully we will be able to get one before our July/Aug trip to the World. I'ts never easy, but always a blessing! Thanks for the reply.

 

[SueM in MN]

He is a runner and a very fast one at that. At first opportunity he will bolt. We're considering a child finder device. We've taken him to WDW every year since I was pregnant with him, along with DS6, so we are not beginners at this, but he is getting stronger and faster. All tips, advice and kind opinions are welcome.

Our prob with the stroller is that he is a very large 5 yr old. He looks more like a first or second grader and is on the very edge of not fitting into traditional stroller. (You can imagine the stares we get with that big kid stuffed in a smaller stroller!) At Sue in MN's suggestion we have looked into a larger adaptive stroller. Hopefully we will be able to get one before our July/Aug trip to the World. I'ts never easy, but always a blessing! Thanks for the reply.

I think I posted this already in one of the threads you posted to, but for anyone else looking.......
Post # 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has information about renting special needs strollers (basically like 'regular ' stollers, but large enough for a bigger child.
One of the companies that rents special needs strollers also rents Child Find systems. With one of those, if a runner gets away, you would be able to track him and find him before too long.

 

[kampfirekim]

I think I posted this already in one of the threads you posted to, but for anyone else looking.......
Post # 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has information about renting special needs strollers (basically like 'regular ' stollers, but large enough for a bigger child.
One of the companies that rents special needs strollers also rents Child Find systems. With one of those, if a runner gets away, you would be able to track him and find him before too long.

You did. In "Front of the line", I think. Can't remember which page. I didn't mean to repeat, I was just replying to someone who seeminly missed out on the FOTL discussions. The only prob with renting is that it can be pretty pricey too, depending on how long you need to rent. If you're going to need a larger stroller for several trips or for long term use, it may be more economical to purchase. We are just entering this new stage where DS is still young, but physically outgrowing the things that have worked for us in the past. I am everlearning...Kim

 

[SueM in MN]

Sometimes we end up repeating things because we are not sure we posted them before and sometimes it's to make sure it gets on the different thread where it's pertinent.

 

[kampfirekim]

Sometimes we end up repeating things because we are not sure we posted them before and sometimes it's to make sure it gets on the different thread where it's pertinent.

I agree. Several times I have tried to find things and couldn't remember which thread it was in. BTW, thanks for everything, you've been a great help to me. I checked out some of the adaptive stroller rental sites in the FAQ thread. Looks like for the total time we'll need one, as well as for other trips over the long term we'll likely have to purchase. Or we may squeeze DS in our Jeep three wheeler one more year. You're the best! Keep the info coming! I need all the help I can get and I'm sure others can too!