DS: Autistic older child --UPDATE POST #61

[WendyisDarling]

I haven't written any trip report or reviews yet, but wanted to get back to all of you first. We returned home around midnight Friday. So, still trying to get life back to normal.

Two weeks in WDW. Overall, it was a good trip. We certainly had our moments, but first let me tell you about the positives. DS loved Philharmonic in MK. We watched it 6 times. If he had his way, we would have done nothing else. Loved the interaction with the characters. His fave is Rafiki (go figure). Magically, he made an appearance on our very last day! With prompting DS told him that he is his fave and draws pics of him every day. Rafiki drew a little pic of Simba in his autograph book. DS gave Rafiki a kiss at the end of their visit. Very sweet. Thank goodness for the pools. They really helped him unwind. DS also become very interested in stuffed animals and now has quite a collection. He loved watching the CM's who held the big bunches of balloons. No desire for a balloon, but loved watching them. DS loved going to American Idol experience and sang the songs he heard for days. Oddly, he really enjoyed the "One Man's Dream" film at DHS. He liked the part that said something about they would always make WDW better. He said it over and over.

Didn't really have bad experiences with other people, which was a relief. I think DS's autism is obvious now and others sort of get it. There was unfortunately one man on the monorail gave him a distateful look and scooted away from him as if he had the plague even though he was behaving pretty well--just flapping. I just thought to myself, sadly one day you will know...one day autism will touch someone in your family. DS also went up to a completely strange woman and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Luckily, she just smiled and let it go. I have to be honest we had quite a few episodes of self-injury attempts and aggression toward me and DH. This did get some looks. Who could help but look? A few days we stayed in the parks only 2 or 3 hours.

Some bathroom issues, of course. Expected.

Renewing the GAC wasn't a problem. Tip--we went to the International Gateway (eta Epcot) Guest Relations and didn't have to wait in line at all. As I was getting out the old GAC and before I could even ask, DS went into a fit -- the CM was very nice and immediately piped up with "let me update that for you" We did need to use it a little more often than I would have liked. But, he needed it. Of course, we still waited but the aggression was minimized.

DS did attempt to pull down Goofy's pants. Goofy was the first character he saw. He didn't make a big attempt, but a little attempt. Goofy turned around and gave him a little gesture to stop and offered a fist bump. That took care of that. He was well behaved with characters after that.

DS went on the Pirate Adventure cruise. I was very concerned about this one. Two hours without me... I explained to the CM that he has autism. She assured me there was nothing to worry about that they have autistic children participate very often. No problems! I think DS enjoyed it. He didn't really talk about it. He did ask to go to the Neverland child care center. (He remembered going several years ago). I think he liked his time with other kids. We didn't have a need for Neverland club so he didn't go.

We did run into some VERY kind of folks. One CM at a gift shop tactfully asked me if he was "special". She then told me about her grandson. We talked for a while. She was very nice and tried to engage him. She clearly understood what a blessing a special needs child can be. Another lady obviously had been touched with special needs in her life. She asked my son some simple questions. Then, spoke to my older DS about how he has a big job and she knows it can be difficult, but how he is doing a great job. Just really nice. Another fellow ran a baseball team for autistic children and again was very nice.

One of those amazing things that happen all the time: We celebrated my BD while there. We ordered a custom cake before our trip and let DS "design it". He wanted Minnie Mouse in a flower garden with only pink flowers and a lady bug. I though this was odd, but whatever. (Cake was beautiful, btw).
It has been two years since our last visit. When at the MK for this visit, we went to Minnie's house. Her garden ONLY has pink flowers and pink coleus (I think that is what it's called). Maybe it's changed and it was a coincidence, but I thought it was so odd. He hadn't looked at any pictures. And the ladybug? I can't help but wonder if he saw one there.

So, it was a really nice trip.

Still planning to return in November for his BD (only a few days), but so hard to consider right now. So tired. We'll see.

Thanks to all for your help.

 

[cuches]

This September we are taking our 10 year old asd dd for her 3rd trip to DW. First when she was 5 was OK but she had a meltdown EVERYDAY, the worst one at Hollywood Studios (then MGM Studios).

Last year she was much better but still melted down at Hollywood Studios and we still can't figure out what it is about that park that she seems to not like. We managed to calm her down by sitting in the back of the ABC Commesary (quiet and alone for the most part) and just talking to her calmly. She was able to finish the day pretty well but then had the BIGGEST meltdown while walking toward the buses with the crowds. She was screaming and crying so much then she started to hit her chin (what a scene...but like most of you agree we have thicker skin and I ignore the stares). She could not get on the bus and we were basically stranded. The manager of the bus area came over and arranged a private car to drive us back to our hotel (All Star Music). We were so grateful and did not know that they offered such things.

My tip for traveling with kids with autism is never push them or over do it (live and learn) and we found if we went to the pool in the morning then the park in the afternoon the day went GREAT. Our DD is a water lover (like so many of our asd kids) and that seemed to satisfy her enough to lett he rest of the day go smoothly.

We are going in 1 month and hope to have a great time!

 

[robynchic]

This September we are taking our 10 year old asd dd for her 3rd trip to DW. First when she was 5 was OK but she had a meltdown EVERYDAY, the worst one at Hollywood Studios (then MGM Studios).

Last year she was much better but still melted down at Hollywood Studios and we still can't figure out what it is about that park that she seems to not like. We managed to calm her down by sitting in the back of the ABC Commesary (quiet and alone for the most part) and just talking to her calmly. She was able to finish the day pretty well but then had the BIGGEST meltdown while walking toward the buses with the crowds. She was screaming and crying so much then she started to hit her chin (what a scene...but like most of you agree we have thicker skin and I ignore the stares). She could not get on the bus and we were basically stranded. The manager of the bus area came over and arranged a private car to drive us back to our hotel (All Star Music). We were so grateful and did not know that they offered such things.

My tip for traveling with kids with autism is never push them or over do it (live and learn) and we found if we went to the pool in the morning then the park in the afternoon the day went GREAT. Our DD is a water lover (like so many of our asd kids) and that seemed to satisfy her enough to lett he rest of the day go smoothly.

We are going in 1 month and hope to have a great time!

I wonder if the reason she doesn't like DHS is because there is so much over stimulation. There are different types of music, so many colors and ways to go, lots of tall buildings, etc. I don't know anyone with autism (well, technically, I have a student that "doesn't have autism"...but he has some of the classic signs), but maybe this will help- what if you have an iPod nano or something with music she likes? All the loud sounds (like how you can hear the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular all the way by the ABC theatre and the sounds of Lights, Motors, Action! can be heard a good deal away from the location, and let's not forget the HSM show and how the music plays all the way while they're moving) could be overstimulation to her, and having mellow music, like the 60bpm music, on her iPod could help calm her.

Again, I don't know if it'll help, but you never know!

 

[Twende]

I am glad to read your update. What a wonderful trip you had and you have every right to be exhausted now! Shoot you need a vacation lady!

I have similar problems when I take my mother to Disney or anywhere in public for that matter. She has Alzheimer's and you just never know what she is going to do. At 90 years old she can still do things that completely embarrass me. She now swears like a feisty old man and she never swore a word in her real life. She will kick, grab, and bite at the most unpredictable times. It is exhausting to travel with her but she so loves Disney.

Thank goodness for a GAC to keep others safe! It is a life saver for us.

 

[robin09]

We will be there next sunday after driving in from ny with our DD10. I have to agree with you about the pool in the mornings... We do it day and night, to help get her going and to help calm her to sleep. I usually carry with us her headphones tha knock out most of the sounds. It amazes me how so many of us do the same things for our children and it works! We purposely have moved to moderates, specifically for the slides in the pool!

This September we are taking our 10 year old asd dd for her 3rd trip to DW. First when she was 5 was OK but she had a meltdown EVERYDAY, the worst one at Hollywood Studios (then MGM Studios).

Last year she was much better but still melted down at Hollywood Studios and we still can't figure out what it is about that park that she seems to not like. We managed to calm her down by sitting in the back of the ABC Commesary (quiet and alone for the most part) and just talking to her calmly. She was able to finish the day pretty well but then had the BIGGEST meltdown while walking toward the buses with the crowds. She was screaming and crying so much then she started to hit her chin (what a scene...but like most of you agree we have thicker skin and I ignore the stares). She could not get on the bus and we were basically stranded. The manager of the bus area came over and arranged a private car to drive us back to our hotel (All Star Music). We were so grateful and did not know that they offered such things.

My tip for traveling with kids with autism is never push them or over do it (live and learn) and we found if we went to the pool in the morning then the park in the afternoon the day went GREAT. Our DD is a water lover (like so many of our asd kids) and that seemed to satisfy her enough to lett he rest of the day go smoothly.

We are going in 1 month and hope to have a great time!

 

[cuches]

I wonder if the reason she doesn't like DHS is because there is so much over stimulation. There are different types of music, so many colors and ways to go, lots of tall buildings, etc. I don't know anyone with autism (well, technically, I have a student that "doesn't have autism"...but he has some of the classic signs), but maybe this will help- what if you have an iPod nano or something with music she likes? All the loud sounds (like how you can hear the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular all the way by the ABC theatre and the sounds of Lights, Motors, Action! can be heard a good deal away from the location, and let's not forget the HSM show and how the music plays all the way while they're moving) could be overstimulation to her, and having mellow music, like the 60bpm music, on her iPod could help calm her.

Again, I don't know if it'll help, but you never know!

Thanks for the suggestion. I never really thought that the loud sounds could be the issue. We take her to NYC all the time (talk about loud) but it is very different. I will load up an MP3 with her fav's and try it. I am so happy to have found this forum!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the suggestion. I never really thought that the loud sounds could be the issue. We take her to NYC all the time (talk about loud) but it is very different. I will load up an MP3 with her fav's and try it. I am so happy to have found this forum!!!!

I also wonder if the backround music at the Studio might be part of the problem too.

There is backround music at the other parks, but it is mostly related to the rides in the area or the theme of the area. You can hear familiar songs from rides in a different arrangement in the area you are.

The backround music at the studio seems louder tome and is more 'random'. It is oftenusic from movies in general that have nothing to do with the attraction. You can hear something from Harry Potter and the Gone With The Womd and then a Disney cartoon. I wonder if this variety and 'out of place' may be more disturbing to someone with autism.
If so, the advice about using the iPod should help with this too.

 

[toodycat]

I think the Ipod is a great solution. Also, it might not even have to be music that she listens to. My ASD son is huge fan of listening to soothing sounds such as the ocean or rainforest. I think they calm him down.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I also wonder if the backround music at the Studio might be part of the problem too.

There is backround music at the other parks, but it is mostly related to the rides in the area or the theme of the area. You can hear familiar songs from rides in a different arrangement in the area you are.

The backround music at the studio seems louder tome and is more 'random'. It is oftenusic from movies in general that have nothing to do with the attraction. You can hear something from Harry Potter and the Gone With The Womd and then a Disney cartoon. I wonder if this variety and 'out of place' may be more disturbing to someone with autism.
If so, the advice about using the iPod should help with this too.

This would totally explain my daughter's meltdown in DHS. She managed to divert a meltdown by letting the kids run around in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground (she's a sensory seeker so this was great for her) but she is also a sensory avoider when it comes to auditory stimulus. Well, as we were leaving the playground, that garbage band (I can't remember their name) started playing. The tears started flowing and we had to walk with my hands over her ears until we were nearly out of the park (there was no recovery at that point since she was already struggling; we had to go back to the resort). It just doesn't seem like a natural place to hear a loud band playing so I think on top of it just being loud, it was also very out of place. I hadn't considered the latter part of it.

I think we'll defininitely try the MP3 players for our next trip. They bring them for the plane rides anyway and they're quite small so I can easily fit them in my bag.

 

[robynchic]

I'm so glad my tip may help! As I said, I don't have any children of my own, but I do have my students, and from my observations of other kids with ASD, I figured it may be worth a shot to toss out that idea.

 

[angiecov33]

I absolutely know how you feel. My 12 year old son is almost 6 feet tall and 180lbs. He has alot of behaviours and was almost removed from the public school last year because of his behaviours. He would spit at people all day long. When walking in the halls he would try to touch girls arms and sniff them. His aide and teacher was having a hard time controlling him. We had to try meds. It was a miricale. I don't say this lightly. It was a huge decision for us. It was a good move. We have him on Rispedone. When behaviour modification is not enough this might be an option. You can always take him off if not working. Good Luck fellow Mom.