DCL and Child with Autism

[aprilchem]

I am a high-functioning autistic adult (Aspergers) with a high-functioning autistic son (Aspergers) and two typical children, and we didn't have any significant issues on the (completely full) Fantasy in August. I would agree with all the posters who said that the alarm for the muster drill is LOUD, so ear protection is a great idea (I didn't know that before we boarded, so we did our best). We didn't find the ship's horn loud, but we never were outside when it sounded.

The worst times for my son and I were the Pirate Party and the sail-away party. I do ok in crowds (much better than I did as a child) but he really doesn't like them and starts exhibiting unusual behaviors when he gets uncomfortable. The beginning of the pirate party (when everyone was sitting on the pool deck) was fine, but once the dancing started it got too overwhelming for him. I found him a chair off to the side and sat with him while my DH and other two kids enjoyed the party. We didn't bother to stay at the sail-away party because it was so crowded we couldn't have seen anything anyway.

I will say that we asked for special accommodations for dinner and were told it wasn't possible (specifically, we asked for pizza without cheese, as he has a texture issue with it, and for Uncrustables). I did not tell our server about his autism, just made the request. I've posted about that on the DIS before and it seems like we just got a bad serving team, since we also were denied other requests that it's customary for them to be fine with.

Oh - and all three of my kids did fine in the clubs - no issues at all.

April

 

[summerrluvv]

My son is on the spectrum, and we cruised last month. He is older (14). We requested to be seated alone, and we were granted that request, which was nice. He has anxiety around people he doesn't know, so that made meal time more pleasant. Other than that, there were no special accommodations that I requested. He really wasn't into the teen/tween clubs going solo, so we went together at open house times to the teen/tween and younger kid clubs (with my DD).

Oh, and as far as lunch on embarkation day, head to the main dining room after you board, not the buffet. I knew the buffet would be nutso, and I didn't want to get started off with him being overwhelmed.

 

[Irishgrl]

Irishgrl,

We just got back yesterday from the Disney Dream (3 nights). My 4-year old Autistic son is not potty trained. They allowed him in the kids' club as long as we came by every 30-45 minutes to check on him and change his diaper (if needed). He really liked it. There are lots of different rooms to escape to and explore. He is sensory seeking, but adverse to some loud noises (crying, clapping). Ironically, he also likes to make lots of loud noises. Good luck to you and your family!

Thank you for this. He is usually good for a couple hours but that's good to know we might be able to check on him. He is actually already night time trained just won't tell us when he has to go. He loves Playgrounds so I know he will love this. My only concern is he is a runner and they might have an issue with it but, I guess we could try it out.

 

[lanejudy]

.... My only concern is he is a runner and they might have an issue with it but, I guess we could try it out.

From the Club/Lab - there is no place to run to. He won't get out. He'd have to get past at least a couple of CMs and through a locked gate. I don't think I've ever heard of a runner getting out of the Club or Lab. You can cross that worry off your list!

Enjoy your cruise!

 

["Got Disney"]

I have ran across a number of families that have had children with Autism on there...and once had a family sit with us that had 2 Autistic children.....their children were in the kids clubs but one had to come out more often...

From what I gathered from conversations the people that are in the kids clubs were very understanding and use to dealing with what may come up with those with autism.....

have fun and have an awesome cruise

 

[heidibilotti]

Please consider having breakfast and lunch in the main dinning rooms. We have always found them to be very quiet as most people eat at the buffets. Also remember room service is included in the cruise fee and it is a great way to wind down and have a snack in the quiet. I'm sure you guys will have a blast

 

[ppony]

We are using Autism on the Seas for our next cruise. Not one of the cruises w/ the staff, but they will be making contacts for us, arrange for a seperate area for the muster or arrange for us to be able to stay in our room for it, also, there is a seperate boarding time just for the Autism on the Seas families so we can get on board w/ less stress. Also, if your child isn't potty trained, you will get a waiver to allow them into the kids clubs and much, much more. Their services are, for most people, absolutely free (for cruises w/o their staff). We booked on DVC points so we had to pay but only $50. They'll be taking care of a LOT of stuff. Google them and read up! Having cruised once w/ our austitic son, holy hannah, we didn't want a repeat of that cruise where I spent nearly the whole time in our room and only got to eat w/ my DH and oldest son once. It CAN be done! Just ask for help! Me? I prefer to go to the people that are experienced in it like AotS.

Last we cruised w/ him, he was 2 and completely non-verbal. He'll be 6 in a few weeks an only started to talk (a little, not in sentences yet) less than 6 months ago. If you'd like to hear about what worked and more to the point, DIDN'T work when our son was 2, I'd be happy to share. Just LMK. I don't want to bore anyone. I agree w/ the previous poster that said to try and keep everything as SAME as you can. Same food, same, same same! It helps.

 

[lbgraves]

That company hasn't changed it's website in a while and some of the things they claim to be able to do are no longer possible on DCL. The open house times have been established to accommodate some of them. There are posts here about them, and they are not all positive. An advanced search for autism in titles only will bring up the threads.

 

[ppony]

That company hasn't changed it's website in a while and some of the things they claim to be able to do are no longer possible on DCL. The open house times have been established to accommodate some of them. There are posts here about them, and they are not all positive. An advanced search for autism in titles only will bring up the threads.

Some people might be expecting WAY too much too. The recent GAC travesty anyone???? Nothing will ever be all positive. I'm sure things we want to be sure of can be verified before the cruise and we're travel savvy enough with him to know what we can and cannot do.

PS: the search function stinks!

 

[Irishgrl]

I actually Called Guest Relations Yesterday and got a wonder gentleman on the phone that walked me through every area on a cruise that could be an issues and documented everything for us on our reservation. He said as long as i was willing to go back every hours or so and made she he went on the potty or was changed than there was no reason he could not use the Kids Club. He brought up things that I didn't even think of. Here is the number if you want to call and ask any questions. 407-566-3602.

 

[susanv]

Our Disney Dream 3 Day Cruise this past May was the BEST vacation to date! Oldest DD(10) has High Functioning Aspergers and she did great. It's the only type of vacation she wants now, all four kids actually agree that they would rather cruise than any other vacation - even camping and they love camping. We ended up with a table of our own without requesting it. Missed the sailaway party entirely, oops. Had a cabin down on Deck 2, Outside Stateroom with a large porthole and the kids were almost fighting over them (2 connecting cabins) the whole cruise. They would sit in the windows and just stare out at the ocean. The horns weren't loud in our cabin, and that is usually where we were when they went off.

They loved the Aquaduck and the kids clubs. It was a May cruise so there weren't a lot of kids on it. DS(7) is potty trained but because of issues has involuntary stool leakage so we had to check on him every 30 minutes, but so worth it. The kids did not go to any of the shows, they spent a lot of time in the kids clubs. They especially loved baking cookies.

During muster my youngest and I were asked to leave our muster station as she was freaking out. We also had a problem with the Pirate Party - that did not go over well! Next time we cruise we will be skipping that one.

We had issues with the Wave phones not working though and our middle daughter had some anxiety issues when she couldn't get a hold of us. She wanted to leave the kids club but the Wave Phone didn't ring to let us know she wanted us (actually apparently it rang to the wrong one of our two rooms), so she wouldn't go back in much after that.

All the kids loved doing the MidShip Detective Agency game and would go back on another cruise tomorrow if we could.

We started out at WDW and did our character meet and greets there first, so we did not end up going to any of the ones on board not even the final night of the voyage one. They looked VERY crowded with long lines so maybe that worked out better as I don't know how well waiting in those lines would have gone over (probably NOT) and some of the characters did visit the kids clubs.

I pray you have an even better experience than we did.

 

[susanv]

LOL when I look at my reply it looks like we had a horrible cruise - it wasn't it was amazing!!!! Every vacation has issues, no matter how much you plan, and whether you have special needs children or not. I'm sure you are used to dealing with the little or big things that occur every day. We didn't even think to ask about what accomodations they provide for special needs. So smart that you are planning ahead and will be prepared. Have a super cruise, we sure did!

 

[lanejudy]

I actually Called Guest Relations Yesterday and got a wonder gentleman on the phone that walked me through every area on a cruise that could be an issues and documented everything for us on our reservation. He said as long as i was willing to go back every hours or so and made she he went on the potty or was changed than there was no reason he could not use the Kids Club. He brought up things that I didn't even think of. Here is the number if you want to call and ask any questions. 407-566-3602.

I don't want to turn you off, because it does sound like you might have reached a knowledgeable phone CM. However, never rely on promises made by DCL phone reps as to how kids or special needs will be handled onboard. Decisions are made onboard and made for that specific cruise; what you experience may not carry over to another person taking the same cruise the following week -- same ship, same ports, etc. Circumstances change and decisions are made onboard.

That said, it is likely your child will be allowed to use the Club/Lab (assuming age 3-12) and you can check back to deal with toileting. But if the cruise is full, or the Club/Lab is full, or staff is short-handed, or something else impacts, DCL may decide they cannot make that accommodation on your cruise. So please have a "plan B" in place.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[lanejudy]

We are using Autism on the Seas for our next cruise. Not one of the cruises w/ the staff, but they will be making contacts for us, arrange for a seperate area for the muster or arrange for us to be able to stay in our room for it, also, there is a seperate boarding time just for the Autism on the Seas families so we can get on board w/ less stress. Also, if your child isn't potty trained, you will get a waiver to allow them into the kids clubs and much, much more. Their services are, for most people, absolutely free (for cruises w/o their staff). We booked on DVC points so we had to pay but only $50. They'll be taking care of a LOT of stuff. Google them and read up! Having cruised once w/ our austitic son, holy hannah, we didn't want a repeat of that cruise where I spent nearly the whole time in our room and only got to eat w/ my DH and oldest son once. It CAN be done! Just ask for help! Me? I prefer to go to the people that are experienced in it like AotS. ...

Much of what they are claiming to be "arranging for you" is available without their services. And as a PP indicated, some of what their website promises is simply not allowed on DCL cruises. But if you are happy working with them, I'm glad it sets your mind at rest so you can relax and enjoy your cruise!

 

[lbgraves]

I don't want to turn you off, because it does sound like you might have reached a knowledgeable phone CM. However, never rely on promises made by DCL phone reps as to how kids or special needs will be handled onboard. ...

In this case, the CM was in the special needs division so they do have specific training and have each been onboard and met with the managers in the different departments to know what will work. Some things may change, but for the most part I have found everyone in that department to be extremely helpful and reliable. The CMs we spoke with onboard confirmed that they had spoken with the CMs we in that department.

 

[lanejudy]

In this case, the CM was in the special needs division so they do have specific training and have each been onboard and met with the managers in the different departments to know what will work. Some things may change, but for the most part I have found everyone in that department to be extremely helpful and reliable. The CMs we spoke with onboard confirmed that they had spoken with the CMs we in that department.

Thanks for clarifying...the poster only indicated "called Guest Relations" and not the Special Needs Department. I didn't want others to think that they should expect that random phone CMs promise; there are too many posts on the DIS complaining about that scenario!

 

[lbgraves]

Thanks for clarifying...the poster only indicated "called Guest Relations" and not the Special Needs Department. I didn't want others to think that they should expect that random phone CMs promise; there are too many posts on the DIS complaining about that scenario!

ITA with you there! Unfortunately, calling DCL CS number is unreliable and inconsistent.

 

[ppony]

Much of what they are claiming to be "arranging for you" is available without their services. And as a PP indicated, some of what their website promises is simply not allowed on DCL cruises. But if you are happy working with them, I'm glad it sets your mind at rest so you can relax and enjoy your cruise!

I know this. I know I can arrange these things on my own, but honestly, I'd prefer someone who knows who to call, what to say and how to say it better than I do. I'm using them exactly for that peace of mind. I did also contact them yesterday to clarify the things they can't provide they still claim to on their site. They asked me to call them but I haven't had a chance. I'll update here when I do.

 

[Vidia2]

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[mom2val]

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