Autism Awareness at WDW: One Mom's View

[AJKMOM]

My DS, 17, has autism, and we have been to WDW 11 times with him. He loves it there, and he is better after we go. I get the GAC and use it where needed, and frankly, I don't give a rat's butt what others think.

If anyone ever gave us a dirty look, I was too busy making sure he didn't run away to notice. If anyone would ever make a comment, I would say, "Here, you want him for the day? Want to see what we deal with on a daily basis?"

I feel like "I dare you to comment", because after 15 years of this, I can dish it out, too. I say "bring it on", and you should, too.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

I really loved your post, OP. My DD will be 4 next month and has Autism. She is pretty high functioning so it is really invisible to strangers that there is anything different about her. We went to WDW last October & didn't know then about the GAC card. There were a few times when I look back now that having one could have been very helpful. When we go in December I plan to get one so that we have it in case we need it, but I am sure that we will get nasty looks if/when we use it. People can be very judgemental & rude, but you have to do what my family always says...be a duck...let it roll off your back like water off a duck!

I hope that you & everyone else taking a special needs child to Disney has a wonderful time. Maybe this thread will help people be more tolerant of things they see & don't understand!

Just a thought...this thread should also be on one of the main boards, like Theme Parks or Resorts...more people would see it that way!

to you all!

Allison

 

[dreamsofdisney]

How long does your son "last" in Disney. ANy trip beyond a few days greatly upsets my Joe.

Again, thanks to everyone for taking the time to read my post. I actually felt that I couldn't put into words what i really wanted to say, but I encourage people to visit www.autismspeaks.org for more information.

When my son was diagnosed with Autism 12 years ago - he was recently "re-diagnosed" with Asperger Syndrome - there was so little information available to families. Now there are so many resources out there! I encourage people to keep learning and to always be an advocate for your child.

My son's first trip to WDW was when he was 6 years old. I had to attend a conference in the area and we had a couple of extra days, so we just visited MK and MGM. After that, we were hooked! As a single Mom, I saved up to take him once a year, and we've had many magical moments over the years: He was picked to pull the Sword from the Stone one year, played Gaston in the Storytime with Belle play, skipped along with the other kids during the Family Magic Tour, joined in the fun in Festival of the Lion King, got up and danced with the CM performers during the MK parade, tried a new food for the first time (a BIG deal for him!), and even learned to swim in the pool at All Star Movies! Each year, we've stayed a little bit longer...last year we stayed for 11 days! This trip, unfortunately, will be a little shorter due to our summer school schedules. Although WDW is VERY stimulating, I've found that having more time is actually better for us than spending only a few days. We're able to relax a little more and not feel so rushed. My son likes to schedule every moment, and it's very hard for him not to be able to control things like unexpected ride closures or the weather! When we have a longer stay, it's not so traumatic for him if we have to miss Fantasmic because it was cancelled for high winds. He knows we can always go another night.

My DH is new to our family, and very supportive and loving. He doesn't quite "get" the DIS/WDW thing, but he knows how important it is to my son...and to me...to have the little break from reality. Things aren't perfect when we go there. My son still has meltdowns and angry tantrums. He still orders meals and then refuses to eat them because a pickle was placed on the plate near his bun-less burger. He still won't use a public bathroom and is horrified if he has to sit next to a stranger on the bus or ride. There will be daily "discussions" about why he has to wear shorts in the ninety-degree weather - as a teen, he's gotten stuck in a "pants only" routine. But...we will have many wonderful memories as a new family. And when we return home, those are what I remember. And I'll be back here on the DIS dreaming of our next trip...

 

[KathyRN137]

My DS, 17, has autism, and we have been to WDW 11 times with him. He loves it there, and he is better after we go. I get the GAC and use it where needed, and frankly, I don't give a rat's butt what others think.

My autistic son is only eight, but after 3 extremely wonderful, extremely therapeutic trips to WDW, I'm at the point where I don't give a rat's butt, either!

Who cares what others think?? You can hang a dozen signs on your child's stroller trying to explain why your family has a GAC but, does it really matter?? No one can know the struggle, heartbreaks, (and joys) of parenting an autistic child unless they are in the same position.

The "dirty looks" bothered me when my son's diagnosis was fresh and I was still reeling from the shock and grieving over the loss of my "normal" child.

Now, five years later, the only "looks" I care about anymore are the looks of sheer pleasure and enjoyment on the faces of my children at WDW!!

to all you Dis-ers who are so supportive of each other and of me!

Kathy

 

[Andy too]

I like to think about the other extreme I've met, too


My son LOVES McDonalds french fries. They were a must whenever we visited the parks. One day walking in adventure land he got away from me and I gave chase. As I caught up to him I realized with horror that his quarry was the french fries of a poor unsuspecting lady. He had downed two fistfuls by the time I got him. When I apologized and explained that he didn't know what he was doing and offered to replace the fries, she was as kind as she could be and wouldn't let me replace them.

Another time at the entrance to AK my wife and I each thought the other had him in hand. All of the sudden we realized he was gone. We started frantically looking and found him holding Mickey's hands (in full explorer garb) jumping up and down excitedly with the handler trying to explain to him about waiting in line and astonished parents with their kids looking on from the line. The handler was very nice about it and some of the parents made some comments to try to put me at ease about it.

We've had the other kind, too, but I'm very thankful for all the kind people out there, too.

 

[scojos]

my ds6 also has autism (aspergers) and has alot of the syptoms you discribed. we are going back for the 2nd time in 4 weeks and are very aprehensive about getting the gac or what it can do for us. HOWEVER after reading your beautiful post, which has physically made me cry, i know that whilst we might not do it all, evern in three weeks, we will do everything we can to avoid meltdowns, including getting the gac and ignoring with a big smile the ignorant gits who dont know better.
THankyou for your honesty, alot of us feel the same

tracy

 

[JohnnySharp2]

My autistic son is only eight, but after 3 extremely wonderful, extremely therapeutic trips to WDW, I'm at the point where I don't give a rat's butt, either!

Who cares what others think?? You can hang a dozen signs on your child's stroller trying to explain why your family has a GAC but, does it really matter?? No one can know the struggle, heartbreaks, (and joys) of parenting an autistic child unless they are in the same position.

The "dirty looks" bothered me when my son's diagnosis was fresh and I was still reeling from the shock and grieving over the loss of my "normal" child.

Now, five years later, the only "looks" I care about anymore are the looks of sheer pleasure and enjoyment on the faces of my children at WDW!!

to all you Dis-ers who are so supportive of each other and of me!

Kathy

So true - Joshua is 9 and Autistic, our visits to the parks are solely based upon letting him have a good time, which we always manage to do.

If a GAC pass helps us anyway to do this then that's great, I don't care what others think either which is especially meaningful for us this year because although Josh is perfectly mobile he cannot walk long distances - hence for the 1st time we are having to take a children's size wheelchair with us (his oversize stroller is now too small).
I am just preparing myself for any comments at the parks when people realise he can actually walk.

To be honest we try and not use the GAC wherever possible, and do try and encourage Josh to queue for certain rides, normally not for too long as we tend to visit the parks at quieter times of the day.
He doesn't have the patience to sit through a show as yet.

 

[3kidsmommy]

To the poster who asked: Yes, I did go to city hall and let them know about the CM at It's a Small World. I wasn't nasty about it, just let them know because I felt it important for others who might follow us. They were very kind...all in all, we had a wonderful experience.

 

[sorul82?]

My oldest son, 9, has Asperger's. I understand what you are going through.

 

[TinkTatoo]

Thanks for posting this. We have two children with autism (DS9 and DD8) and this will be their 4th trip to WDW. We come all the way from Ireland and even though it takes us the best part of 20 hours door to door to get there and even though DD is sick for almost all of the flight we still love coming and wouldn't want to go any where else. We save up hard and try and visit every year as we all love it so much. It makes us feel like a "normal" family for just a little while.

We get a GAC and use it when we need to - but we have experienced the stares and comments of others who can't see the children's disability. To be honest we don't let it bother us - as long as our children are happy that is all that matters.

...............Things aren't perfect when we go there. My son still has meltdowns and angry tantrums. He still orders meals and then refuses to eat them because a pickle was placed on the plate near his bun-less burger............... And when we return home, those are what I remember. And I'll be back here on the DIS dreaming of our next trip...

[/COLOR]

I can so relate to this here's a from us and have a great trip

 

[Nanajo1]

The OP did such a great job in her post I really think it should be posted on other boards to help with the education process.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

Thank you for such an eloquent post.. I have two sons- my oldest is 10 and has Asperger's and ADHD, my youngest is 9 and has adhhhhhhhhd. I know your struggles. It is so hard sometimes especially with these disabilities that are "hidden." I wish I could have had been able to speak your eloquemt words when we were at the MK in March when a lady got so upset at my sons while we were waiting for the parade... My AS son started getting overwhlemed by the wait and crush of people and started stimming like crazy and started talking about everything.. This lady in front of us got pretty upset but we did the best we could.. BTW, why isnt there some special area to watch the parades and fireworks from??? It would make things much easier.

 

[SueM in MN]

The OP did such a great job in her post I really think it should be posted on other boards to help with the education process.

She had posted a duplicate of her original post on the Theme Parks Board and the Family Board, so it's already out there.

 

[gabbysmom04]

dreamsofdisney, your post made me cry! It was so beautiful. My DS 8 months was born with a cleft lip and palate and a long long list of other serious medical problems. He is so delayed that he is like a newborn still. When we took him to WDW in May we experienced the same things you wrote about. People would stare at us looking mad as we pushed our stroller up the wheelchair ramp. I wanted to tell them to be glad that you are standing there in line. Thank god that you don't have to live in a world where you watch your child suffer. God bless you and your family. Thank you for your post and for sharing it on the other boards.

 

[PixieintheCity]

Hello Dreams of Disney:

As many others have said, thank you for putting into words what many of us parents feel everyday. My son, turning 5 in August, is also Autistic. He has been to WDW before (before he was diagnosed), and it was not an easy experience. He could not grasp the concept of waiting his turn (and tantrumed quite a bit) and he stimmed verbally on repetative phrases all of the time to whomever was around him. I hope that utilizing the GAC card this time around will make it a more pleasant experience, because he did absolutely love the rides last time.

We'll be at WDW from 8/21/2006 - 8/25/2006, and then we're jumping on the Disney Magic for a Western Caribbean Itinerary on 8/26/2006.

Just remember that we are the parents of A.N.G.E.L.S. (Autistic children Need Guidance, Education, Love, and Support).

I hope everyone has a great trip!

 

[LilyWDW]

I have no serious medical disabilities and I have no children... yet your post made me start tearing up. Some people just do not understand that not all disabilities are immediatly noticable to the eye. They don't take the time to think that there may be something else wrong and that they should be glad they don't have to worry about a GAC or special considerations.

I used to baby-sit a girl who had mental and physical disabilities. She did not like to be touched, hated large crowds, would yell out obsene language when in stressful situations, and many other things. When you looked at her, you could tell that she wasn't.... "normal" (for lack of a better word atm). Yet we still got looks when we took her out in public and she acted up.

Do whatever you have to do to make your trip as magical as possible for your DS. Do not worry about what others think or say... they simply have not been educated as well (because they have not been here hehe).

Good luck and have a WONDERFUL MAGICAL trip!

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

that was a great post!
hugs to all of us special parents!

 

[BethanyF]

Excellent post.

We used a GAC for the first time this past March and had the best trip ever. Sam is very verbal and conversational, although many of the conversations come from something he memorized. But put him in a crowd of people and he freaks out completely.

Of course we got a few eyerolls and looks from CM's like we were faking it, but I didnt let those bother me. My son was happier than ever and that's what was importanht.
The only meltdown Sam had was when we couldnt use the alternate entry at Honey. We took him off to the side when the crush of people got to be too much and then we were told he either had to stand with the crowd or 'there's the exit if he can't handle it' I was too upset at the time to get the CM's name, so I never reported him. Im still kicking myself for that. I took a good 45 minutes for him to calm down. And of course that caused looks form guests thinking he was some sort of overgrown spoiled brat. In the grand scheme of things, 45 minutes of meltdown in 8 days wasnt bad.

To whoever asked about parade viewing spots....we were able to use the handicap area at AK. We asked about the one at MK, but opted to not use it since it was in direct sun. We got lucky and found a spot on the curb next to a trash can which allowed us to give Sam a little more elbow room. Normally we skip the MK parade, but my nephew's band was in it that day and we couldnt miss that.
Just find one of the crowd control CM's during the parade to get in the accessible viewing areas.