I have to say, I rarely noticed looks our last trip (we just got back Monday). Yes, people looked at DD and DS all the time (they are super cute, after all- and they wore matching custom outfits I made them the whole time including, in DD's case full on pettiskirts underneath them.) Plus, they were using a supersize stroller on steroids LOL.
However, not once did a CM challenge us or make us feel badly at all for using the GAC when we had to- in our case it's a combination of DD's PDD_NOS and her seizure disorder in which seizures are triggered by overheating, and DS's hypotonia. In fact, ALL of the CM's were so nice, they really made our whole experience special; sometimes with a little extra pixie dust- like the wonderful CM who came running out of County Bounty to find us and tell us Tinkerbell had surprisingly arrived; and sometimes just smiling; but I've never had such consistently wonderful CM interaction.
I would say, especially at character meals, to let the podium and if necessary character handlers know about your childs autism. it changes (in a good way) the way they interact with our kids, allows them to react in the way that's right for them without the characters getting nervous or confused. They were all very patient with my kids this trip, and that really made a difference for them too.
I do notice every trip that CM's are more knowledgeable aboutautism in general. I think it probably has something to do with the fact that so many of us vacation there- because it's so disability friendly and accessible. many times I had CM's do things I didn't expect that showed tremendous insight and understanding into the way my kiddos minds work; and that was a huge weight off my shoulders- I never expected it, but it was a wonderful blessing.
