cruising with an autistic child ?????

[magic kingdom park]

Okay so I am thinking of taking a cruise, he loves Disney World so maybe a cruise, can anyone give me any info on there experience. Could he join in on the kids programs or will they not have enough hands as he would probably need close to one on one only because he is hyper and totally hard to get focus. Dinner do you sit with bunches of people you don't know, how would that go over. anyone done this please sheds some light on me before I hand over bunches of money for this vacation. thanks

 

[CM_Mom]

How old is he? I know the CMs will work with you but they're not staffed for one on one attention. Review the activities listed in the Navigators for the appropriate age group on http://www.dcltribute.com/navigators/. Click the trip and look for kids and teens navigators. Some activities might be a better fit for him than others. Open play, sliding and climbing might be better for him than the quiet time movie for example.

I know others have taken autistic children on the cruise. If you search on autistic you will find several posts. I saw this one recently. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=544562&highlight=+autistic

Hope this is helpful. I know you face special challenges planning trips that are wonderful for the whole family.

 

[aprilgail2]

You could request a table just for your family for dinner. Go to the dining changes place when you board and check to see if your request was granted...if not explain to them why you want a table for just your family.

 

[mobetsy]

Parents are welcome to participate with their children in the kids' programs, so that might be one way for your son to be part of the activity but still get the close attention he needs. Of course, it doesn't give you a break...

 

[findingnemofan]

My DS age 8 has ADHD and OCD. He is on meds for the ADHD--and does fine during the day on them. My boys play with a friend down the street who is autistic. My DSs really love him. If your son is able to communicate--I think he would do well in the lab.
You know your son best of all. Find out all you can about what goes on all day in the clubs--and then go from there.

Maybe that helps??!!
Best wishes,
Findingnemofan

 

[jweiss]

it really depends on age and functioning level. one possibility may be to put him with a lower age group?? My 13 y o has "special needs", although not autism. Both years I have explained to CM's. One night last year I went to check on her and found her in tears, having been completerly left out of an activity. I really got on the CM's. who said that she had lost out becasue she had not followed the rules. Well, duh!!!!! They are wonderful, but not necessarily qualified or staffed fro special needs. For what ever that's worth.....

 

[DCLADDICT]

OUR NOW 13 YEAR OLD DS, WAS 11 ON HIS FIRST CRUISE. HE IS DEVELOPMENTALLY DELAYED DUE TO A SEIZURE DISORDER. HE FUNCTIONS ON ABOUT A 5-6 YEAR OLD LEVEL, SO WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT HIM BEING IN THE PROGRAM. WE TALKED TO THE COUNSELORS AND THEY ASKED WOULD HE MAYBE DO BETTER IN THE YOUNGER GROUP, SO WE GAVE IT A TRY. WE HAD TO ALMOST DRAG HIM OUT EVERY NIGHT, SO THAT WE COULD GO TO BED. HE LOVED IT AND HAD NO PROBLEMS. I KNOW THAT IT IS DIFFERENT FOR EACH CHILD, SO I WOULD TALK WITH THE COUNSELORS IN DETAIL, AND THEN MAYBE HANG AROUND TO SEE IF HE DOES OK. I BELIEVE THAT HOW SPECIAL CHILDREN DO IS ALSO GOING TO VARY BY THE OTHER CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE SEVERAL CHILDREN WHO ARE VERY LOVING AND IN TUNE WITH SPECIAL CHILDREN, AND MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD, BUT LETS ALSO FACE IT THAT SOME CHILDREN CAN BE CRUEL AND MAKE IT MISERABLE FOR OTHERS. I KNOW THAT YOU WANT YOUR WHOLE FAMILY TO ENJOY THE CRUISE INCLUDING YOUR CHILD, AND MAYBE YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO COULD GO WITH YOU TO HELP. THAT WOULD GIVE YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE TIME TOGETHER, BUT WOULD ALSO ALLOW YOU ALL TO TAKE TURNS BEING WITH HIM DURING CHILDRENS PROGRAMING. JUST A THOUGHT. I HOPE YOU ARE ALL ABLE TO TAKE THE CRUISE!

 

[lalapodip]

magic kingdom park -

How old is your son? My DS is 9 years old - I stated on our reservation that he is autistic. He is verbal enough to request basic things like food or bathroom, but he needs one on one attention, so I believe that he'll only be able to go to the Kids Club with an adult. We'll just play it by ear.... If we're able to leave him in the Kids Club, that will just be a bonus! Otherwise, we'll be in the pool.....

We are cruising on August 21, and we've requested out own table for dinner. If you decide to cruise after 8/21, please PM me and I'd be happy to let you know how we make out.

P.S. My DS also loves Disney World, so we're spending a few days offsite prior to the cruise, to get the best of both "worlds" Can't wait!

 

[magic kingdom park]

I would like to thank all of you for your info, my son is able to communicate he is 7 however developmentally he acts around 4 or 5, so maybe a younger group would be better. thanks, I am going to continue to look into this idea.

 

[Talking Hands]

One of the kids in the class I taught today is on the 7 day right now. He is autistic. If I hear about the trip when they return I will let you know how it went.