autistic son 14ys 5'10" 185 lbs

[nebraskabluejay]

He does not like wild rides, he can't stand in line for than 15 mins but also traveling with 15 yr and 11yr old brothers, any advice how we survive disney world

 

[pampam]

This may be better answered on the disbilities page. I'm sure other parents with autistic children will have had experience we can all learn from.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

No worries.

Let the 15 and 11 year old do their thing while you and DS do your own thing. Keep in touch and plan to meet up to do things youd like to do together.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I highly suggest stopping by guest services for a GAC, you don't need to bring any proof or anything, just explain to them that your son can not stand in long lines (and any other difficulties he may have) and they will issue you a pass to avoid the lines.

I second what PP said about letting your other sons go on their own for awhile (if of course you feel like they can handle it) - that way everyone can do/see what they want without any stress

Have fun and def check out the DISabilities board!

 

[koolaidmoms]

I have a 5 yr old with Autism/Asperger's. We just returned from WDW. He has been 5 times before. We get a GAC card on our first day at the park we are in (Guest Relations) it lets us use an alternative entrance when necessary. We do stand in line if the lines are not long 15 minutes or so and try to limit our use of the card but if we need to we will wait with the "wheelchair" entrance or a side entrance.

Do child swap if he does not want to go on a ride and the rest of you do. That will allow the boys to go twice - once with you and once with DH. Also, will DS be better is he knows all about the rides? Research them with him, watch the video maybe so he can see the types of rides and how they move and what they are about. My DS is much better if he knows what to anticipate. He hates Spaceship Earth because it is dark and goes backwards down hill!

Also, as the PPs said go to the disabilities board. I get lots of great support and information there!

Good luck!

 

[Tink_Kel]

I know this is a Disney Board, but have you ever tried Universal Studios/Island of Adventures? If you stay on site, your hotel key acts as Front of the Line (FOTL) pass on the rides. Even on the busiest day (4th of July), we never had to wait any longer than 10 minutes for a ride...and most times it was walk-on!

Just an idea...since you have all sons, I bet their theming would really appeal to them (I'm a mom of 2 boys myself, and they prefer US/IOA over Disney...though Mom is a Disney Fanatic!)

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the disABILITIES! board.

 

[Schmeck]

One thing to note - a GAC is not meant to be used to shorten wait times. It states right on it, I believe, that it won't work for that. It could give you an alternate place to wait, etc, but be advised that it depends on how many others with GACs are ahead of you, and how many are already on the attraction.

 

[LMC]

You may need the GAC for swaps after part of your party has gone on the ride and someone else may want to go. We use this with my 13yo son as he does not like the "wild rides" but my two younger kids do. Either my DH or I sit with DS while everyone else rides and then do the rider swap at the end of the ride so the other parent can ride if they want to (the younger kids get to go again too so it's a bonus for them). We don't have to use the GAC much as DS13 likes the shows and parades so we do those while DH and the others go off and ride rides. Usually the only time we have to use it is in MK over near BTMRR and SM.

 

[mechurchlady]

Child Swapping Pass
DLR and WDW have the "child swap" that goes by various names. The party must wait in line as they normally would while using the GAC/disabled line, standby line or fastpass line. When they are done riding then the babysitter takes on or sometimes two people with them through fastpass. Number rarely is three but sometimes on something that seats 3 across they will allow a third person. The CM giving out the pass will tell you where to use the swapping pass.

Here is a list of rides at WDW that allow the use of the swapping pass.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/childswap.htm

http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/archive/index.php/t-54933.html
That has a good explanation for those of you who get confused by Churchy a lot.

Single Rider Lines
This is offered at Test Track, Mission:SPACE and Expedition Everest. It is a fast way to ride with out the fastpass if you do not mind being separated from your party. Mission: SPACE seats four persons so when there is an empty seat they take a single rider. The other two rides sit two people per row and too often there is an empty seat.

GAC
The GAC is for persons with invisible handicaps that is a tool used by CMs to discreetly and quickly determine the special needs of guests. It is not meant to speed up things and too often can be slower. I would suggest you go to guest relations and explain your situation and they will tell you if a GAC if for you.

Practice
Practice waiting in line with him and reward him for waiting 15 minutes in line for example. Some moms use bits of gummy bears, low carb snacks, and other treats to encourage good behavior. Fidget toys, beads, hand held toys, and audio/visual stuff can make the wait not so bad. Happiness in lines make the child not hate lines so much and maybe even like lines. Some parents use ipods, walkman radios, gameboys, and other audiovisual busy work.

Some kids love having the trip in written or pictures showing everything that will happen. Use videos from youtube and see what he likes to do. Talk with him about what he likes. One boy detested a ride because it was for girls, hrmph boys will be boys.

Planning
Planning the trip will make it possible to avoid most long lines. There are the child swapping pass, early magic hours, arriving early and storming the park, fastpasss, single rider lines, and timing the vacation to not be in the summer. Know where everything is and when you get to the parks have plans B-z ready in case you hit a speed bump. Long line at Dumbo so go ride the tea cups or Peter Pan. Plan on splitting the party and have mom and son then daddy and son then family times. The other two kids need to have fun as do you and dad.

Ask and you may receive. Some CMs will go out of their way to make life easier for guests. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not work.

Good luck on your trip
hugs and merry christmas from laurie

 

[kaffinito]

Trust me. It's doable. I have two Aspie kids, now 16 and 8, and go by myself without DH. Do get the GAC, and use it when necessary. You can't bypass the lines with it, but the waiting areas are much more quiet then the main line areas.

It's a good idea to let the other two children go by themselves, while one of you takes the 14 year old to the attractions that he will like. I let my oldest go where he wants to, and started doing that our first trip when he was 14. He's very functional, and even taught me the bus system!

Also, don't forget to schedule breaks away from the crowds. There are some secluded areas in the parks where you can go and just take a time out. Or you can go back to the resort for a swim.

Good luck, and don't forget to post back here if you need any kind of assistance.

 

[SueM in MN]

Check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Post #6 of that thread is all about GACs (Guest Assistance Card, not a pass).
Post #3 has links to past threads - there are some having to do with autism that might be helpful to you.

I don't know if he is a runner or if he might be inclined to not want to move (like, if he's tired, just sit where he is and not move). You may want to look into renting a wheelchair for him. That would allow you to contain him a little more and also keep him moving when he doesn't want to move. A wheelchair would also give him a little extra space between him and the other guests.

 

[happymommy]

One thing to note - a GAC is not meant to be used to shorten wait times. It states right on it, I believe, that it won't work for that. It could give you an alternate place to wait, etc, but be advised that it depends on how many others with GACs are ahead of you, and how many are already on the attraction.

That depends on what GAC you get, really.

We just got back, and we can only stay in a park for maybe two hours at most. My son has a medical condition, and the second day I went to an information kiosk at DHS and asked about a GAC for him. I told the man that he has asthma, and gets very worn out. The cast member was so nice, asking about his treatments and how he was doing and all. The GAC was helpful. They have several for different needs. It can be for up to six members of your party. The cast member said to just show it to the first CM at an attraction..

It helps immensely - we didn't need it too much, as many rides had little wait.

We never used it for any attraction that doesn't have a fastpass, so I don't know about the teacups or Dumbo or any of those, but I'm sure they can accommodate you.

We also did use fastpass for ones that he wouldn't go on, like Rockin Rollercoaster (he doesn't like anything like that).

So, I would suggest getting one, which helps with the physical and frequently emotional stress of some people.

 

[H_Bruemmer]

Have you been with him before? I only ask because I have a ds11 with ASD as well. We were very concerned how he would do with the crowds, noise, lines, etc. We got the GAC, did all kinds of research and preparation, and at the end he did GREAT. To prep we watched all the travel channel specials about WDW, watched the vacation planning dvd, even a history channel show "Modern Marvels" that talked all about the tunnels underneath WDW that the CM's use to get around. My sister bought him the imagineers guide (he has an obsessive interest in buildings and structures, takes everything apart if I'm not careful ) which explains all the little tricks the use to make the attractions at the parks seem real.

The excitement of seeing the characters, the music, the rides etc. that he had learned about helped him to tolerate a lot more than usual, and ultimately we simply did a child swap on the more intense rides, and took a lot of breaks. In fact, he did so well there (better than at home in certain situations) that we return as often as we can. I know this isn't a typical experience, and I think anything you can do to be well prepared is worthwhile. That being said, you may be suprised at the end that it went better than you thought!

 

[BeckyScott]

We had a GAC. We used it when DS would go on the rides. And the "wilder" stuff DH & older DS just got FastPasses. Or more likely, I ran and got the FastPasses while the three of them messed around in a playground or getting refreshments. Since DS also walks at a snail's pace and is easily distracted I could usually haul for FastPasses, and come all the way back and they'd be about 50 feet from where I'd left them.

Even thought DS is a ride wimp, there were maybe one or two rides per park that he wouldn't go on-- the obvious ones, like Space Mountain, Everest, Rock-n-Roller coaster.

While they went on the wilder rides, we just found something else to do and met back up. At Magic Kingdom, we rode the TTA four or five times in a row (since there was no line at all) while DS & DH rode Space Mountain and Stitch. At AK, DS became obsessed with a fountain in Asia (?) and stayed there the whole time DH and DS went to Everest. Having said that, I had been to WDW before and am also sort of a ride wimp, so I didn't mind not going on those rides. If I would have wanted to go on them, I would have just gotten 4 FastPasses, I guess, and tagged out.

My suggestion would be to have cell phones, if at all possible, or maybe walkie-talkies for the two "groups".

 

[luvyawdw]

Hello,
Thank you for sharing this "happymommy". I was pleasantly surprised when I read this. I think it depends on the cast member sometimes though. Last year when we went it was 6 months after our daughter had spine surgery...her ortho felt 4 months would have been ok but we waited 6. She was fused t2 to sacrum (the entire length of her back). She also has a neuromuscular condition so she does not do any rollercoasters (obviously We went to guest services and asked for a GAC, we knew she would not last a full day in the parks, she is in a wheelchair and at that time we were very cautious about heat exposure. Our daughters pulmonary function is 20%. We went in the first week of dec to avoid the hot months but one day it was in the high 80's the rest of the days it stayed in 70's or low 80's. Anyway, i explained to the cm our daughters condition and what accomodations would help her, I also had a letter from her physician (i know it is not needed but he also wanted to explain (for her safety) what accomodations would help her in the parks). Also, this was a sponsered wish trip from kidswish, we were referred to them by one of her physicians. Well, the cast member said, i can not give you a GAC, she is in a wheelchair and you just use the dis guide book for the entrances. I explained further about her pulmonary and medical conditon and he just repeated there was nothing more he could do. We tried to get through the day at AK and by 1 pm she was wiped out, we left and went back to our hotel. The next day we went to MK and I went to guest services, explained again, this CM got her supervisior who was very helpful. She provided us with a GAC, which was extremely helpful. We were able to see more attractions in a shorter amount of time, we still could not really stay all day, but we knew that before we went. Her physician who wrote the letter did not focus on the name of her condition as much as he did on his concern for her safety and how to best accomodate preventing any complications. I know the GAC is not meant to skip lines, but there are cases where guests are able to go to Disney but they are "medically fragile" or in your case have asthma and need some accomodations to keep your child safe. I later learned that some wish organizations give a vip button, ours did not. But they did provide a letter.
Anyway, we did have a wonderful time, the first day was a little tough but the rest of the trip was great.
The Gac really helped in our situation, our daughter would have seen far less because like your son, we can not stay a full day in the parks. I do wish we had one the first day, we only did 2 attractions at Ak, one line was 50min,(the safari).
What is the information kiosk and DHS stand for? I went to guest services in AK the first day, maybe it was the wrong place for me to go?

 

[SueM in MN]

What is the information kiosk and DHS stand for? I went to guest services in AK the first day, maybe it was the wrong place for me to go?

DHS is Disney's Hollywood Studios.
I think by the Information kiosk, the poster meant the place in DHS outside Brown Derby Restaurant where CMs are posting wait times and can give you information about attractions. That is not really a Guest Services area; more of an information area. At any of the parks, Guest Services is the place to go to request a Guest Assistance Card.
There is more information about GACs in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[luvyawdw]

Thank you sue. That makes sense....Im still used to calling Hollywood studios...MGM! lol . When I saw DHS, I did not put it together. OK, so I did go to the right place.
Anyway, my point was that I think it depends on the CM, bc both times I explained our daughters condition the same, but got 2 different results.
What is your feeling on this?

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you sue. That makes sense....Im still used to calling Hollywood studios...MGM! lol . When I saw DHS, I did not put it together. OK, so I did go to the right place.
Anyway, my point was that I think it depends on the CM, bc both times I explained our daughters condition the same, but got 2 different results.
What is your feeling on this?

NOW, this is just my opinion and others may not agree......

One of the reasons I don't recommend taking a doctor's letter is that I think the CMs see a lot of them written with the same 'pattern' that I have seen on the internet;
"My patient, -----------, is a delightful young man with xxxxxxxx. He is not able to wait in lines. Please provide as much assistance as possible to prevent him from having to wait in lines."

I have been behind people in Guest Relations who had a letter like that or a doctor's prescription with "Allow child to go to on attractions without waiting" written on it.
In many cases, when the CM asked what the child's problems/needs were, all the parent did was point back at the doctor's information and said, "My doctor wrote everything". They were not prepared for and could not answer the questions about their child's needs.
I think that CMs often look at the doctor's letter with a bit more suspicion because it is easy to get one and the doctors are often writing 'orders' for things that can't be provided (like front of the line access). I think they sometimes don't read the letter because they expect they know what it says (and most often, it probably does say what I wrote above and not information about needs like you said your doctor's letter did). There also are a lot of doctors who don't understand access (or the ADA) and tell their patients things like, "You have xxxxxxxx. I can give you a note that will allow you to bypass lines."

My personal opinion is that when many CMs see a letter, that's what goes thru their minds (not that I'm saying that is a reasonable approach, but I do think that's what often happens).

There are also a lot of people who think that having a wheelchair, all by itself, means that you won't have to wait in line. There are websites where you can find the advice to go with your wheelchair and get a GAC. That is probably one of the reasons that CMs give the treatment that you received (i.e. look in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for where you should enter attractions). If you request a GAC and are not given one, I'd suggest just keeping track of what difficulties you do have. Maybe, you won't have any and will not need to go back to Guest Relations to get a GAC. But, if you do have problems, you will be prepared to explain what problems you ran into and see what assistance they can offer.