Disney done differently, (BOG dining updates pages 202 and 203)

[Lidian]

Ahh, bless his heart. Thanks for the idea about the hall light switch. It's right outside the bathroom!! That's the next habit we will have to work on!

When he was going to a psychologist, she did more harm than good. She gave him homework of trying to desensitize him by having him flush the toilet multiple times a day. All it did was stress him out more and he began to have accidents, which he hadn't done since potty training days.

But it was during that time that we discovered the light switches were just as much a problem as the toilet flushing. I drew him a diagram of the lights and fan so he'd know which light to turn on. Unfortunately, from bathroom to bathroom (we have 3) it's not the same. It was too hard to remember, and he was too anxious to think clearly at the switch when we left the diagram there.

What he is doing now, is coming to get us when he has to go to the bathroom. He will walk behind us, until WE turn on the light. Then once the light is on, he wants his privacy! It's reduced his stress and there are no accidents.

Toilet flushing is another biggie. He will not flush the toilet. He is too scared. Even if I am in the bathroom with him and I flush the toilet he will run. He has hit his head twice on the door knob because of fleeing and not being aware of his surroundings. There is a rug at the bath tub. If he stand on that with bare feet, he can handle the toilet flush. But not standing on the ceramic tile. I don't understand that. But if I am going to flush and he is still in the bathroom, I tell him to stand on the rug because I'm going to flush. I guess the feel of the rug on his bare feet distracts him enough to handle the flush?

Bathrooms at Disney can be a disaster. We carry post-it notes to keep the toilet from flushing on him. Companion bathrooms work much better since there are no neighboring toilets flushing.

For the vaccuum cleaner and the garbage disposal, we have to tell him when we are turning it on. He will go sit on the couch (his refuge) until we stop using it. Again, maybe the feel of the couch fabric on his skin distracts him?

Airplanes and helicopters send him under the kitchen table.

I'm open to any advice that will help him to tolerate these noises better! So keep it coming.

Lurkers, you too. If something has worked for you or your child, please let me know.

I can't help with the toilet flushing ... as DS5 won't let me flush public toilets (some are too loud) -- but he's fine at home.

But I do recommend him turning on a hall light, and then taping down the fan switch(es) and maybe putting a sticker around the Light switch -- so it will be obvious which one, and if he gets confused, he won't be able to flip the fan switch since its taped down.

Maybe get little stars and decorate around the correct switch. Have him help -- pick out the stickers, put them around the switch -- then maybe he'll take to it better.

I'm sorry that a therapist made things worse.

Keep us updated on other suggestions to help him, as well as what you decide to attempt and how it works (or doesn't)! Can't wait to hear!!!!

 

[sl_underwood]

I think that those of us with ASD kids learn to value every step our kids take. Each victory, no matter how small, is cause for celebration and we appreciate it all the more. That is one of the positives of autism. When you struggle so hard to accomplish something, each accomplishment is appreciated that much more. Congrats to Anakin! I know how hard it is for our kids to experience change. Not sure how to help with the other issues but I am sure that eventually they will be worked out too.

 

[lovethattink]

I can't help with the toilet flushing ... as DS5 won't let me flush public toilets (some are too loud) -- but he's fine at home.

But I do recommend him turning on a hall light, and then taping down the fan switch(es) and maybe putting a sticker around the Light switch -- so it will be obvious which one, and if he gets confused, he won't be able to flip the fan switch since its taped down.

Maybe get little stars and decorate around the correct switch. Have him help -- pick out the stickers, put them around the switch -- then maybe he'll take to it better.

I'm sorry that a therapist made things worse.

Keep us updated on other suggestions to help him, as well as what you decide to attempt and how it works (or doesn't)! Can't wait to hear!!!!

Thanks! We will work on it. Tonight he went in the bathroom with no problem. Someone had forgotten to turn off the light just before.

I think that those of us with ASD kids learn to value every step our kids take. Each victory, no matter how small, is cause for celebration and we appreciate it all the more. That is one of the positives of autism. When you struggle so hard to accomplish something, each accomplishment is appreciated that much more. Congrats to Anakin! I know how hard it is for our kids to experience change. Not sure how to help with the other issues but I am sure that eventually they will be worked out too.

Thanks. Step by step, getting there.

 

[exwdwcm]

Also on the way back, we met a convention goer. She was walking in high heels holding a map. I asked her if she needed help finding some place. She was looking for her room in 6B. I told her we were heading that way, we'd be happy to show her. So we have her the grand tour en route to the Ranchos. She couldn't believe how far away her room was. She was going to ask to be moved in the morning. All she had packed for footwear was high heels. My advice to anyone going there on a convention, bring a big handbag and pack sneakers or flips.

LOL, that is too funny. I HATE being on business travel at some place fun like that. It is pure torture! Heck, i leave next Thursday for the National Assoc of Realtors convention (I work for a property mgmt software company) in Anaheim. Yep at the Anaheim Convention Center. You can bet I'll be buying the discounted after 4pm DL tickets!!! and NO HEELS!

 

[exwdwcm]

Oh and I have to say, it was so nice meeting you guys. Anakin is just an absolute sweetheart. It was such a treat to meet him. Since I have a really shy kid, it was nice meeting such an outgoing kid. Heck, he even made friends with my DH showing him all his pins and my DH is pretty quiet and shy too. He just made everyone smile. I wish we could have spent more time together!!

I love your POR sunset pics- gorgeous! I didn't know they added a firepit to the POFQ- so cool! I also didn't know the fishing hole was behind a gate, last time I was there it wasn't, but that was many years ago. How much is the carriage ride? that looks like a lot of fun!! how long did it take

 

[lovethattink]

LOL, that is too funny. I HATE being on business travel at some place fun like that. It is pure torture! Heck, i leave next Thursday for the National Assoc of Realtors convention (I work for a property mgmt software company) in Anaheim. Yep at the Anaheim Convention Center. You can bet I'll be buying the discounted after 4pm DL tickets!!! and NO HEELS!

Hope you have a great time at the convention..er...Disneyland!! NO HEELS

Oh and I have to say, it was so nice meeting you guys. Anakin is just an absolute sweetheart. It was such a treat to meet him. Since I have a really shy kid, it was nice meeting such an outgoing kid. Heck, he even made friends with my DH showing him all his pins and my DH is pretty quiet and shy too. He just made everyone smile. I wish we could have spent more time together!!

I love your POR sunset pics- gorgeous! I didn't know they added a firepit to the POFQ- so cool! I also didn't know the fishing hole was behind a gate, last time I was there it wasn't, but that was many years ago. How much is the carriage ride? that looks like a lot of fun!! how long did it take

It was great meeting you too! I never would have guessed your son or husband to be shy. He has never met a stranger. And if he can get them to talk about Star Wars, legos, or pins, he is in his glory!

They added firepits to FQ and POR. I wish they would add one to POP within the next 10 days!!!

The carriage ride was $45. It lasted about 30 minutes. It was definately one of the highlights for Anakin! Lisa overheard the driver talking to the people before us. He told them he wasn't allowed to accept tips. I'm glad we did it!

 

[msmith1026]

Bathrooms at Disney can be a disaster. We carry post-it notes to keep the toilet from flushing on him

This. I wish i had read this BEFORE we went to Disney. Zoey hates having the toilet flush on her automatically, she will jump up if she thinks it's about to flush, no matter how inappropriate the time!! I finally started taking toilet paper and putting it against the sensor, but it was so hit or miss. The post it notes are genius.

 

[momabaarjo]

I wish I had some advice about noises for Anakin...I hate to hear about his fears. I will check around with some behavior specialists as school as I run into them and see if they have any ideas.

 

[lovethattink]

This. I wish i had read this BEFORE we went to Disney. Zoey hates having the toilet flush on her automatically, she will jump up if she thinks it's about to flush, no matter how inappropriate the time!! I finally started taking toilet paper and putting it against the sensor, but it was so hit or miss. The post it notes are genius.

I sooooo understand! Glad I could help with the post it notes. I forgot them once and ended up buying Disney post it notes at the park. Those were expensive but stayed stuck so much better! Mall bathrooms and movie theater bathrooms can be just as bad. And those hand dryers can be even worse for noise.

There are a few bathrooms where they haven't installed the newer toilets, so it requires pushing a button to flush. Off the top of my head, the only one I can think of for sure is the bathroom attatched to Idol Experience. We still call that one the Doug Live bathroom, lol.

 

[lovethattink]

I wish I had some advice about noises for Anakin...I hate to hear about his fears. I will check around with some behavior specialists as school as I run into them and see if they have any ideas.

That would be great if you could ask around! I really appreciate it!

 

[lovethattink]

Back to the TR...

After we left Lisa and Megan, we went to Disney Junior. This and Star Tours are his favorite attractions at DHS. Unfortunately, because of all his recent seizures, Star Tours is back off the list.

The medical stroller was parked back at TSM. Goofy went to get the stroller while I went in queue with Anakin. There was a very nice cm in front of the queue. Anakin traded pins with him and struck up a conversation with him, telling him about One Man's Dream. The cm told me he has a child with special needs and that Disney his is therapy too. He told us to stand in line and that he would pull us out of the line before everyone went in. He told Anakin he could sit in the front. Anakin got a worried look on his face. I explained to the cm that he likes to sit off to the side away from all the people. He said that was fine too! Anakin was relieved.

Goofy was able to get in line with us before we were pulled back out of the line. Anakin was so excited about going to see this show that he could hardly contain himself! He kept saying, "I can't wait til the show starts! It's going to be so much fun!!" He got a few smiles from adults, the small children around him caught his excitement, but the bigger kids just stared at him.

The cm came and got us. He helped psych up Anakin even further. (As if he needed any more enthusiasm over the show, lol.) He put us in a holding area in front of the queue. When the door opened he let Anakin in first. He walked right in to "his" spot.

He was engaged from the start!

Bubbles

Patting for Rocket

Tick tock for Hook

Gold Dubloon

He loved the show!! He was so excited and engaged the whole time!

It was some work for us. He would get so excited he'd bounce and flap. We had to make sure he didn't bump into anyone. He was completely oblivious to his surroundings. 100% of his focus was on the show! When there was dancing or any other type of audience participation, he was totally into it!! He left there dripping sweat, because he got a huge workout at the show!! It was nice to see him so happy!

Shortly after this we went home and our weekend trip to Disney was finished. Of course, there will be more day trips to come and two more upcoming weekends!

 

[Lidian]

Tink ~ so glad that Anakin had a great experience with Disney Jr. Live!

DS5 has actually been talking about this show a lot recently. Ever since his Fall Break and staying with his Dendoggy (my dad). They watched a lot of Disney Jr. and dad would tease him about not having any gold dubloons (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates). So DS5 would tell him that he'll go back to WDW and bring him back millions of gold dubloons -- because that's where all the dubloons are at ... WDW.

I honestly thought he had outgrown Disney Jr. and was kind of hoping to pass up the show in March ... but looks like we'll have to go get Dendoggy some gold dubloons.

 

[lovethattink]

Tink ~ so glad that Anakin had a great experience with Disney Jr. Live!

DS5 has actually been talking about this show a lot recently. Ever since his Fall Break and staying with his Dendoggy (my dad). They watched a lot of Disney Jr. and dad would tease him about not having any gold dubloons (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates). So DS5 would tell him that he'll go back to WDW and bring him back millions of gold dubloons -- because that's where all the dubloons are at ... WDW.

I honestly thought he had outgrown Disney Jr. and was kind of hoping to pass up the show in March ... but looks like we'll have to go get Dendoggy some gold dubloons.

Oh that cute!!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

sorry we weren't there to see JJ so happy at Disney Jr. looks like he had a great time!


you just finished and guess what??? I just started my TR, first post/day is complete!

 

[kaoden39]

One of the pleasures and the sad things about not having any younger kids is I have never seen Disney Playhouse. I thought we might see it in 2010 because we had a little on in our group but the timing was never right. I think I may just go watch it without a little one just once.

 

[lovethattink]

sorry we weren't there to see JJ so happy at Disney Jr. looks like he had a great time!


you just finished and guess what??? I just started my TR, first post/day is complete!

It would have been very cool if you two had been there, but I understand Megan being older not wanting to sit through it. And after One Man's Dream he was ready to do something for him. I know he likes the Animation building, but he would get very frustrated with the drawing, so we would have skipped that anyway to see the characters or play the games.

One of the pleasures and the sad things about not having any younger kids is I have never seen Disney Playhouse. I thought we might see it in 2010 because we had a little on in our group but the timing was never right. I think I may just go watch it without a little one just once.

You should go see it once!

Anakin got a new book last week. It's about Duffy the Bear. I thought of you as we read it. It's about taking Duffy along on your travels. It's very similar to your trip where you took pics of Duffy along the way.

 

[kaoden39]

It would have been very cool if you two had been there, but I understand Megan being older not wanting to sit through it. And after One Man's Dream he was ready to do something for him. I know he likes the Animation building, but he would get very frustrated with the drawing, so we would have skipped that anyway to see the characters or play the games.



You should go see it once!

Anakin got a new book last week. It's about Duffy the Bear. I thought of you as we read it. It's about taking Duffy along on your travels. It's very similar to your trip where you took pics of Duffy along the way.

I heard about that book. I want to get it for my great nephew and for a friends son who both love Duffy. I made a photobook on snapfish for Jason and he "reads" it all the time.

 

[lovethattink]

Aww, that's so sweet!

 

[KatMark]

Glad that Anakin had such a good time at Disney Junior. You can see how much he is enjoying himself.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Great trip report! We've been back 2 weeks and I haven't even started yet. (Of course, I came home with a cold that is just finally leaving me.

Anyway, I was wondering if you were able to snap any photos of any Counter Service locations showing what you can get for a SC? I see you like to take as many photos as I do!

I took over the Confirmed Snack thread and you mentioned you would try to get a few at CSR. TIA

Terri