Cruising with autism, looking for tips

[TinkerKeeks]

hi everyone, I was scrolling through the boards and couldn't find a lot of information for cruising with kids with disabilities.
A little bit about our family:
We will be spending 3 nights in wdw this March and then spending a week on the fantasy. Our family's first Disney cruise
I am really excited for the trip but also really apprehensive about how things will go and trying to eliminate melt downs in advance.
We are a family of 5, my self and dh, our 5 year old son, and 3 year old twins.
Our twins are both on the autism spectrum. My boy twin tends to freak out when he has to wait for something, he also is very one track mind, if he wants something he needs to have it immediately and will obsess until he gets it. He is also very picky with food, he basically has about 5 foods he eats right now, yogurt, French fries, potato chips, mashed potatoes, and pasta with red sauce. Sometimes the occasional chicken nugget if it's a good day.

My girl twin does not have any eating issues, she eats everything. Her biggest issues are that she also suffers from apraxia of speech, so at this point she is basically non-verbal and uses a few signs to communicate. She also suffers from hypotonia. At this point she is still not walking, although I am feeling hopeful she will be by the time of the cruise. So at this point we would be bringing her stroller as her "wheelchair".

Anyways I am just looking for any tips or to hear other people's experiences with cruising with children with special needs.
I'm not sure if they will even be allowed to use to kids club. So at this point I'm not counting on that.

 

[lanejudy]

to the disABILITIES Forum! There are a few threads here about cruising, also a lot of good info from posters on the DCL Forum.

Your children will be allowed to utilize the Club/Lab as long as they are able to function in a typical group setting without direct 1:1 assistance, though if your daughter isn't walking that may not work. The nursery is also an option for 3-yr-olds and I would recommend that is she is still crawling. Many young ones are not particularly strong verbally; if your daughter signs you can let them know and someone on the Youth staff may know some signing, but in general they are pretty good with communicating basic stuff as long as your child is able to somehow inform them of her needs (bathroom, call mom/dad, I want to do xxx, please help, etc.). I wouldn't expect communication to be an issue at the nursery. You are welcome to bring them to the Club/Lab during the daily "Open House" times -- which should be scheduled for at least 1 hour per day in each space; an adult will need to stay. If you choose to drop them off during secured programming, if either is not yet potty-trained you would need to return periodically (I've heard every 30-60 minutes) to check and assist with toileting.

It sounds like your son's go-to foods are pretty standard onboard. I think there's a pasta on the kids menu every night as long as he isn't fussy about shape. And fries are a standard side item, as are mashed. You can order from the adult menu for the kids as well if that's where you find that he will eat (mashed is usually a side offered on the adult menu, not sure about the kids menu). Yogurt is available at Cabanas, feel free to grab a couple to bring to your stateroom. Chips are around the quick service areas and probably Cabanas.

You can now schedule some of the character meet & greets in advance, much like a FP+, and the lines are quite manageable. I'm not sure what else involves much waiting -- just don't show up too early for dinner or shows. Also try to avoid debarking in ports immediately as the crowds line up then.

Please be aware the pools are absolute chaos! Relatively small and very crowded. The best pool times are mornings, during port stops, and I've heard during early dinner if you make other dining plans. Life jackets are available, but I recommend avoiding the pools during the busiest times.

If you come up with other specific questions, feel free to ask.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Mrsjvb]

there is a website called autism at sea. they are an organization that puts together group cruises ( on several lines) for kids on the Spectrum but the site may also have other information and advice.

 

[stitchlovestink]

No swim diapers in the pools. They must be potty trained to use the pools! If not potty trained, there is a splash pad area that they can use.
There are open house times that you can take the kids to the kids club if they are not able to go to the clubs on their own.
And regarding food, there is only one brand of yogurt and only a couple of flavors on board.

 

[Weedy]

Everyone must attend the lifeboat drill the 1st day. The alarms are very loud. I suggest bringing ear protection. If you Google lifeboat drill on Disney cruise there are videos so you can give the kids an idea of what to expect.
On a cruise they sit people together at dinner. You can call before your cruise and request a table for just your family if you feel your kids would not like to sit with another family.
Also on the first day they will have an area (usually in one of the restaurant) you can make any special food request. Maybe ask to have some fruit or yogurt waiting on the table before dinner each night so the wait isn't too long.
People line up for dinner?? There is no need too. I suggest even showing up about 5+ minutes after your dinner time. That way the line will be gone and you can just walk right to your table.
The kids clubs can't provide one on one care. But they are very good. If you go on the 1st day and introduce your kids and explain their needs they will do their best to accommodate them.
I have seen others suggest giving nonverbal kids a note that says "please call my mom" to hand to the counselors when they are ready to leave b

 

[wilkeliza]

You can call Disney special services and speak with them about any accommodations. Their number is (407) 566-3602.

If you think muster will be an issue that would be where you need to talk to about having a scheduled quiet muster.

 

[Weedy]

If you think muster will be an issue that would be where you need to talk to about having a scheduled quiet muster.[/QUOTE]

Never heard they could do a quiet muster?? Is this possible?

 

[wilkeliza]

If you think muster will be an issue that would be where you need to talk to about having a scheduled quiet muster.
Never heard they could do a quiet muster?? Is this possible?

Not sure if Disney does it but other cruise lines offer it so it isn't against any marine time laws or anything. There is a "scripted" muster in the event the audio isn't working so they do have it that information available.

This is from 2014 but it shows that at least at one point the whole family could check in and then one adult could take the child with special needs back to their cabin. Although the sirens still sound it is in a more controlled space. It does say if more assistance is needed then that to call. So no guarentee but worth asking about and seeing if it is possible.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/media/dcl_v0400/Site/DCLContent/Media/Assets/ShipsActivities/Ships/Services/_Service_/guests-with-disabilities/DCL Autism Services Information v2.pdf

 

[stitchlovestink]

Never heard they could do a quiet muster?? Is this possible?

Not sure if Disney does it but other cruise lines offer it so it isn't against any marine time laws or anything. Their is a "scripted" muster in the event the audio isn't working so they do have it that informarion available.

This is from 2014 but it shows that at least at one point the whole family could check in and then one adult could take the child with special needs back to their cabin. Although the sirens still sound it is in a more controlled space. It does say if more assistance is needed then that to call. So no guarentee but worth asking about and seeing if it is possible.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/media/dcl_v0400/Site/DCLContent/Media/Assets/ShipsActivities/Ships/Services/_Service_/guests-with-disabilities/DCL Autism Services Information v2.pdf[/QUOTE]

DCL will discuss special muster drill arrangements as that for very special circumstances.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You won't be able to stay with them in the kids' club unless it is an open house, and the youth counselors are not able to provide one-on-one assistance for special needs children. You can go in with the non-verbal/non-walking child during open houses; several of them will be scheduled for each club.

Children who stay in the clubs have to be capable of going to the toilet themselves; the counselors are not permitted to assist them. They can call parents to pick up the kids if they have accidents.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

You won't be able to stay with them in the kids' club unless it is an open house, and the youth counselors are not able to provide one-on-one assistance for special needs children

1) Yep.
2) Disney does try to accommodate, but cannot service everyone individually.
3) The cruises are not disability-specific.
. . . there would too much cost to accommodate everyone
. . . plus, it would take too much time-cost-effort-expertise to cater to all needs

 

[Weedy]

You may also want to try the Disney Cruise page. There have been lots of threads about cruising with Autism and if you ask this question there you will get lots of good tips.

http://www.disboards.com/forums/disney-cruise-line-forum.9/