? for parents of PDD children...

[TwinTinks]

Did you experence any break throughs of any kind while at WDW? I would love to hear your stories. I've read the ones on allears.
My DD4 is non-verbal and I'm looking for a magical miracle.

 

[BeccaGrace]

My dd-3 isn't a PDD child but has speech and learning delays. Prior to our November/December '05 trip to WDW she had never spoken at school (she is in an integrated public preschool for specially develping 3 and 4 year along with regularly developing 4 year olds). She did have limited speech at home but wouldn't/couldn't speak to her teachers or classmates at all.

When we got to WDW she fell in love with Pluto and anywhere she saw him she said, "My puppy!"...needless to say my dh bought her anything she spoke about because he's a softie like that

Her other favorite character is Belle...she wore her Belle costume a good 2/3 of our trip! She didn't speak at all when she met her (or to any other character or cast member during the trip) but you could tell she was thrilled. She started back at school the day after we returned home...that afternoon we picked her up and the teacher called me over all excited and told me that when she asked Becca how Disney was she said, "I see Belle."

That was plenty of pixie dust for us I hope some is sprinkled on you while you're at Disney as well. Although I will say the worst thing to do is get your hopes up about things...if it happens it will be wonderful and magical but don't hope for it so much that you will be disappointed if it doesn't. I've done that too many times to count and that raw hurt is the last thing you want to feel at WDW...enjoy your trip!

 

[mrzrich]

Major breakthrough last trip for my ds 6. He is potty trained at home and at school, that is if he has to go, he just runs to the bathroom and goes. However he would not vebalize that he had to go. In public he always wore pull ups, because he would not tell us he had to go. We would take us to the restroom with us frequently, but he would only urinate, he had never pooped in a public restroom. (Which made for fun diaper changes in the companion restrooms with a big six year old.)

This February we were dining in Boma and Michael said "Mommy I pooped I pooped" I quickly realized that he had not pooped, but was telling me that he had to! Sure enough we rushed to the bathroom, and he pooped on a public potty for the first time!

 

[TwinTinks]

Wow, thanks...I love reading your experiences!

BeccaGrace, my DD is in an integrated pub. preschool as well (typically developing and non-typically developing children). She loves school and receives in class speech therapy. Belle is DD's favorite as well! I know she will be over the moon when she sees her. Oh, I know not to get my hopes too high...but of course a little part of me is hoping...well...you know...

Mrzrich, that is fantastic about your DS! I am sure he was just as proud of himself as you were of him!

Keep the stories coming, people!

 

[BeccaGrace]

Wow, thanks...I love reading your experiences!

BeccaGrace, my DD is in an integrated pub. preschool as well (typically developing and non-typically developing children). She loves school and receives in class speech therapy. Belle is DD's favorite as well! I know she will be over the moon when she sees her. Oh, I know not to get my hopes too high...but of course a little part of me is hoping...well...you know...

If your dd didn't already have a twin (just a guess from your user name!) I would think that she and Becca could make a good pair

 

[TwinTinks]

If your dd didn't already have a twin (just a guess from your user name!) I would think that she and Becca could make a good pair

Yep, she's a twin. And it sure does seem like ours girls would be quite a pair!

 

[tmli]

Ds is almost 10 and we have been going to wdw since he was 3. WDW has been such an important part of his development...his many dr's and specialists agree.

pin trading has been incredible for his social skills...trading with cast members, etc. It was a lot of me modelling in the beginning but he often initializes conversations with Cm's now. He has learned so much about people who are different and those from other countries. AT the Luau two years ago was the first time he participated in any kind of group thing in front of others....he kind on the stage to learn the Luau...it was so huge. That year he also particiapted in the festival of the lion king show. He feels safe and secure there...he feels like he is just like everyone else...he gets to be "normal".

Out of the blue he started to perform random acts of kindness...we have learned many social skills by dining in the restaurants...he is perfectly behaved and well mannered now while eating in public and is able to order for himself.

So many other ways....his Dr told us his level of social growth and learned social behaviour is incredible for an aspies child. When taking about all the things we have done at wdw he said perhaps they should start prescribing it as treatment!!!

 

[CheapMom]

My littlest child just turned 3 and on the verge of being dx'd PDD- He will be starting a spec.ed. program in the fall for 'developmental delay'. He has been to WDW 3 times already. He had a verbal growth spurt during a land/sea vacation just before his 2nd birthday. Maybe he was on track to have that vocab. expansion anyway- but it did make us all more light-hearted during our trip. Seeing him so happy and engaged and interested in the things around him. I think that is why we keep going back- he does great at WDW- talks more, - especially when it comes to 'after-the-fact' conversations. Usually he only communicates about the here and now. ie: I am eating pizza...I see flowers... But if you say- "where did we go yesterday?' He has no idea how to have a conversation about that. But at WDW- he would talk about things he saw earlier in the day- at bedtime, back inat the resort. He has rarely (maybe twice) done that since that trip. We go back in September- I can't wait to see how he reacts to the giant Buzz and Woody at ASMO. He is a little different there.

BeccaGrace- Your story- "I see Belle" - that made me cry. Great advice about not getting your hopes up.

 

[CheapMom]

oh by the way- the funniest thing is- he is not at all ever excited about the things we expect him to be (ie: Flying Dumbos) but rather- when a stray bird stole a french fry out of his hand at an outside table at the POFQ food hall. Oh- that was the best time he ever had. (We thought he might have a tantrum- but no- he was like "again again" Naughty birdy!- Hahahaha" So- what I am trying to say is- the 'Disney Magic' you may be looking for- could be hiding where you least expect it.

 

[brettgirl]

My family, including my PDD DS5 are going in less than two weeks. I can just imagine what will be the thrill for him. Probably not the rides it will be something like the monorail. Hoping to get my DS into a pool with out flipping out and only being interested in the filters! Wish us luck. POR May 20-28