Autistic Child waiting in lines

[della]

A parent of a child in my child's special ed. class asked me about this. My daughter is autistic but very mild. We really do not have much trouble with her in lines. This parent is thinking of going to WDW but afraid her son (more severe autism)would make too much of a fuss in line and have a meltdown. He does ride in a type of wheelchair, but I explained to her that I thought most of the rides were wheelchair accessible so I did not think that they bypass the waiting. I suggested she could use fastpass to help. I felt like I burst her bubble a bit. Since I really don't have any experience with this I was hoping someone else could offer some better solution. Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

Here is a website that should be helpful.
Your friend could go to Guest Services in any of the parks to request a Guest Assistance Card (there is information on the website that I posted about GACs). The GAC is not meant to shorten the wait, but will give a more appropriate place to wait if needed. Advance planning (and fastpasses) can help a lot. Many of the rides that have a long wait early in the morning are a very short wait later in the day (or vice versa if you go early enough in the day). We have used a GAC because my DD has many invisible problems in addition to using a wheelchair. Even when we have gone over Spring break time, we don't need the GAC for every line. We probably only use it an average of once a day.

 

[della]

Thank you. I will pass this info on to them.

 

[s&k'smom]

Hey Della just wanted to add what worked for us. We absolutely got the GAC. We only used it once but boy were we glad we had it. We did a lot of advance planning (of course we loved it). Tell your friend to get the Disney planning video. This really helped my son as we pointed out things constantly we had seen in the video. I also made a few requests for our room such as getting a first floor because I didn't want the worry about a balcony. We also took a break every afternoon and spent a good two hours by the pool. This worked fantastic for both kids. We also found as the week went by we worked into a little routine and this helped keep him calm and he knew what the expectations were. WDW is so manageable with kids not matter what the diagnosis. We just took it one day at a time. I know your friend will have an awesome time.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Tell your friend to definitly get the GAC pass. We did and we used it twice, both times were so we didnt have to wait in the direct sun (Kali River rapids and I can't remember the other line) Just having it gave me a feeling of peace. I felt a calm knowing that if DS had a problem we could still enjoy the trip. I think a lot of people who get the pass DON"T end up using it. Another hint a CM told us was if there was a problem (DS has trouble with the sun and he sometimes has problems with crowds) that the baby changing stations (one in each park) are usually quiet and calm. We did use one of them once when we needed to apply more sunscreen (which can be a big trama if DS decides this is not necessary) and it was so quiet and calm there. The people who were "Working" there were so helpful. It is a great spot to take a break with a special needs child.....large rooms, friendly people out of the way .....AS far as bursting your friends bubble. You were just being a good friend preparing her and helping her to pre-plan Tell her to go and have a great time. The CM"s in the park, the characters etc. all are wonderful to children and I think they go out of thier way for the "special needs angels". WE have always had a wonderful experience. Disney is magical!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Just having it gave me a feeling of peace. I felt a
calm knowing that if DS had a problem we could still enjoy
the trip.

I totally agree with yoou. Just knowing you have it and you can use it if you need it helps a lot. It's sort of like insurance.

 

[Poohnatic]

Della,

My son has Asperger's, moderate case of it. He, too, has trouble with lines and lots of people lead to lots of distraction and the meltdowns.

We've used the GAC two trips now and it is a life saver. We really didn't have to use it too much when we were there last week, but the last day we were in MK, it was very crowded. I find that with autism and asperger's that the GAC is most beneficial in MK--because of the proximity of the attractions, you keep your child a lot busier than in the other parks.

If you want to pm me, feel free. I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Our problem this trip was food related---a lot of things trigger him and we didn't think when eating breakfast one morning. No more bacon or sausage ever!

Suzanne

 

[lalapodip]

Hi, Della.
I have a seven year old son with severe autism, so severe that you cannot explain Disney or anything else to him. He loves his Disney videos (especially the Disney planning video, which you AND your friend should definitely get, as someone else suggested) and watches them constantly. He knows the characters and songs, things like that.
We went to WDW last June and used the GAC for almost everything. We were allowed in the fastpass line without the fastpass. I really think that it depends on the severity of your child's condition. I don't feel that we abused the pass in any shape or form - and I can tell you without the pass I would never consider a return trip. Our son simply would not have made it through the day without the GAC. I hope that your friend will come to the boards with her questions as I am sure that she will think of other things!
Tell your friend to start planning - and PLAN to have a great time!

 

[della]

Thank you all so much, I actually have two friends I would like to share this info with. I am sure one does not have internet access. I will print this info and pass it on to her. I think it will be very helpful for her upcoming trip.

As I said, my 4 yr old's autism is fairly mild but we have used the GAC in the past when she was a baby/toddler. She has been going to WDW since she was 9 mos old and does pretty well. We can usually depend on a mini melt down in the Dumbo line (or "Dreaded Dumbo Line" as we call it) but that's about it. Last trip was her first time on Test Track. It started to rain and we were held in the que line forever. She did ok there, but when she came off the ride she really over stimmed from all the sensory input. We ran as fast as we could back to the Beach Club and got her to the pool ASAP for some deep pressure in the water. She loves the water and after an hour or so she was ready to return to the parks. As far as dietary issues, she is on a gluten free/casein diet and I have found the restaurants to be very helpful. They have really gone above and beyond the call of duty. I agree that WDW is one of the best places for special needs kids! I think my daughter and my learning disabled son (as well as my other two daughters) have learned a lot from their WDW visits! And so have I! Again, thank you all so much!

 

[lalapodip]

Isn't it funny how so many of our special kids seem to improve after a trip to Disney? True "magic"! Nothing really BIG changed for our son, but he still religiously watches the new planning video, and I believe that a return trip would be great for his progess. It's a dream today, but it's a start....

 

[shopgirl72]

My son is 21, with autism! The hard thing is someone sees him, and assumes he is a "normal" adult, until he talks or would get upset. He has paniced twice at theme parks and ran, once from teachers in 8th grade - missing for an hour and a half til they found him in the parking lot trying to walk home (3 hours away). The other time ran from his dad at FW in parking lot, because he said his hands were sticky! Consequently, I took our other children by myselfto WDW, and my husband stayed with Matt. A few years ago, Matt decided to go to WDW. I go at his pace! Long lines are out of the question, too afraid he would panic an run. We have been successful with fast pass on some things. The guest assistance pass may be something that would make our trip a bit more productive. It would just be the looks, and comments of people who do not understand just because they do not see the disability does not mean there isn't one!! I'm sure everyone would choose not to need special assistance--but it is a fact of life. Matt is a wonderful young adult, and we try to keep everything as "normal" as possible! I may try the pass if we need it! Hopefully fastpass will continue to work! Nice to know there is this option!

 

[Poohnatic]

You're going during the busiest time of year...I strongly suggest the GAC. Get it at the beginning of your trip, and if you don't need it, that's fine, but have it ready, just in case. There may be something that Matt just has to do and without the GAC the wait may just be too long for him.

Another thing to do is pack baby wipes. I have one who is about to get out of the diapers, but I think we used his wipes more for big brother (with Asperger's) than we used them for the actual diaper wearer. My AS son hates being sticky, too.

Suzanne

 

[Leah's Mom]

We have taken our autistic daughter to Disney two years in a row. We go in the Fall (october) as it is less busy. The cast is so wonderful! We only had two melt downs (okay maybe a few other minor melt downs) but both times I explained what was happening and the cast members did what ever they could to help! Have fun!

 

[SueM in MN]

Going during a less busy time is a great suggestion if you can get away then. There is a lot less "hustle and bustle" in the parks to cause problems for you. The "meltdown" factor is really high in the busy times with all the tired children (and sometimes parents) whining. Plus, if you go during a slower time, the lines will likely be down to very manageable waits even without fastpass.

 

[SueM in MN]

Going during a less busy time is a great suggestion if you can get away then. There is a lot less "hustle and bustle" in the parks to cause problems for you. The "meltdown" factor is really high in the busy times with all the tired children (and sometimes parents) whining. Plus, if you go during a slower time, the lines will likely be down to very manageable waits even without fastpass or a GAC.

 

[SweetSpot]

My 11 year old DS is diagnosed Aspergers/ADD. We had minimal problems with waiting in lines but sound and stimulation were more an issue for us. One suggestion I didn't see mentioned was remembering to pack ear plugs. The shows tends to be loud and overwhelming. I forgot our earplugs and wasn't able to buy any in the park. Cottonballs from the Medical Center helped but I go no where without the earplugs now.

Also, we went in November. The weather was cooler and it was less crowded. It made for a wonderful trip.

 

[kazzie]

Hi everyone,

I have never been on this board before,but I feel so at home with this thread I should have come over months ago!

My son has Asperger's syndrome too,and if you have time please take a look at the debate board there is a thread about half way down I have been taking part in,'Can you discipline other people's kids?' My take on it was don't always assume if you see a child 'acting up' they are just being naughty and some of my examples of how other people feel they have the right to tell me son off.

I made the point that Asperger's is a hidden disorder as you already understand on this forum.

I have never used the GAC pass on previous trips as we visit at a relatively quiet time of year in October and always get to the parks early.I did use it at Disneyland Paris last year though.As other posters have said my son age 13 only used it for 2 rides (he won't go on thrill/headliner rides) it is just great as a backup.

 

[s&k'smom]

Hi Kazzie and welcome to the Disabilities Board. I agree with you. I've had times when folks have thought my son was being a real brat and it's that he is on sensory overload. He has tough sensory integration issues and they can set him off. When we remove him from the situation it's like turning off the light, completely different kid. We didn't use our GAC at all except once but boy was it nice to have as a back-up. I'm so glad this thread is still going.

 

[BethanyF]

Originally posted by s&k'smom
Hi Kazzie and welcome to the Disabilities Board. I agree with you. I've had times when folks have thought my son was being a real brat and it's that he is on sensory overload. He has tough sensory integration issues and they can set him off. When we remove him from the situation it's like turning off the light, completely different kid. We didn't use our GAC at all except once but boy was it nice to have as a back-up. I'm so glad this thread is still going.

I have an almost 5 year old with autism and sensory integration issues. When we last went to WDW we didnt know he was autistic. We are going back next March and I plan on getting the GAC, as most of you have said, as a back up. He has trouble regulating his body temperature and does not like to be in close contact with a lot of people. So if there is something he wants to do, we can use the GAC and avoid meltdowns.
I dont want him to assume the world will always bend over backwards for him, but if it means I can get him on the teacups faster (he regulates with spinning), then I will use it.

 

[SueM in MN]

I dont want him to assume the world will always bend over backwards for him, but if it means I can get him on the teacups faster (he regulates with spinning), then I will use it.

The teacups as therapy...
we used to use them when DD's muscle tone was really tight. A spin in the teacups loosened her right up. We have to be careful now since a ride in the teacups can loosen her too much and make her into an 85 pound rag doll!
it was much easier when she was little and more portable.