DCL with Aspbergers

[HannahNoahMommy]

Hello, we have been to Disney many, many times, and the information here has helped us tremendously. My DS is 7 with Aspbergers and anxiety. At Disney we use the GAC so he can use the stroller as a wheelchair and have his own personal space, and it also helps because he gets really anxious waiting in lines.

We are going on the Dream in February. He has watched the cruise show on the Travel Channel many times and is very excited. What should we do or know or have for our vacation that will help us? I'm hoping he will enjoy the kids clubs with my DD so he can spend some time in there. But I know there is a chance it won't work for him. Our vacation isn't relying on him being in there - it would just be good for him (and us) if he can have fun in there.

Oddly enough, he's probably at his best at Disney! I obviously want this to be successful too.

Thank you!

 

[thej]

We've taken DS who has Aspergers on DCL, but he was much younger. The best advice I can give you is to let them know right when you sign the kids up for the kids clubs that your son has AS, and may need some accomodations. Be ready to let them know what will help him be able to cope with the kids club. They will do their best. I've heard of them scheduling extra staff if they know ahead of time it will be needed.

Enjoy your trip, we're booked for Alaska next summer!

 

[CinderelliT]

I have a son who has some sensory issues, and we think he may have asperger's too. We did DCL this past Dec. on the Wonder, and my son did really well for the most part. We got to go into the kid's club when we 1st got on the ship and play with him and explore with him. This really helped him to get ready for it. We also started by dropping him off for a short period of time when they 1st opened, and let him know about the pager system. It worked really well. The only time we had a problem was the day that he was over tired. Other than that, he loved it and had a great time.

Good luck!

 

[toodycat]

My son has been on DCL multiple times since he was 7. They do a great job in the Oceaneer's Lab if you just tell them right away what the issues are. He socialized a lot (for him) while he was on the Disney Magic. I even have pictures of him doing the chicken dance! The only thing that sometimes bothered my DS was noise---as in loud music at the sail-away party, amplified music during the evening shows and the occasional over-enthusiastic crew member trying to get a rise out of a crowd by yelling, "I can't HEAR YOU!" over and over. This, of course, is why I carry earplugs. Have a wonderful cruise!