FYI For your Autistic child in the pool

[pcparamedics01]

I have an ASD son 9. We visited HH and were at the pool several times.
My son was going down the waterslide backwards several times. The lifeguard did not know my son is Autistic in the pool. She blew her whistle and talked to him but he had little regard to her warnings. The CM who began to approach me. I explained he was Autistic. She radioed the lifeguard and I believe after that she had a careful eye on him as well as informing me instead of him if there were any further issues. So for all ASD parents out there it is a good idea to tell your lifeguard that your son/daughter is Autistic. Just like any other special needs issue. I found it worked out much better and they were very accomodating.

 

[Val]

My DD9 is hard of hearing and really can't hear without her aides. We found the lifeguard at HH VERY helpful (generally, the WDW lifeguards are too). We informed the lifeguard the first day we arrived last year- and the whole staff seemed to remember her during the rest of our stay. They would tap her on the shoulder and talk to her face-to-face if they had an issue (she lip reads very well). She was in absolute love with the staff and so was I.

We always try and inform the lifeguards of DD's hearing loss- guess the same would go for any disorder which might interfere with the lifeguard-kid interaction!

 

[pcparamedics01]

My DD9 is hard of hearing and really can't hear without her aides. We found the lifeguard at HH VERY helpful (generally, the WDW lifeguards are too). We informed the lifeguard the first day we arrived last year- and the whole staff seemed to remember her during the rest of our stay. They would tap her on the shoulder and talk to her face-to-face if they had an issue (she lip reads very well). She was in absolute love with the staff and so was I.

We always try and inform the lifeguards of DD's hearing loss- guess the same would go for any disorder which might interfere with the lifeguard-kid interaction!

I agree!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

very good ideas

 

[lalapodip]

I have to watch my autistic DS 12 very closely on the slides because he loves to turn around and go down backwards, and I too always speak to the lifeguard. It really does make a difference...

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

ooh, GREAT idea!! Thanks!

 

[AJKMOM]

I always talk to lifeguards about DS, even though he is 18, but acts lilke a 5 year old. I find people are more compassionate than if they think he is just a brat. On water slides, I ask the lifeguard to tell him when to slide after me, since one time he went first, and I lost him for half an hour at a local water park. It aged me about 10 years, but he just got another inner tube and got in another line to slide.

 

[pcparamedics01]

I always talk to lifeguards about DS, even though he is 18, but acts lilke a 5 year old. I find people are more compassionate than if they think he is just a brat. On water slides, I ask the lifeguard to tell him when to slide after me, since one time he went first, and I lost him for half an hour at a local water park. It aged me about 10 years, but he just got another inner tube and got in another line to slide.

I agree! I ALMOST LOST MY SON IN MK ON THE 4TH. I GOT DISTRACTED WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD AND IN SECONDS HE WAS NOT THERE. MY HUSBAND WENT ONE WAY I WENT THE OTHER. I SCREAMED HIS NAME SO LOUD I THINK THE WHOLE PARK COULD HEAR ME. HE HEARD ME CALL HIM AND WE FOUND HIM WITHIN A MINUTE. I AGED 10 YEARS TOO. HE IS NOT A WONDERER SO IT WAS JUST THAT HE DID NOT STOP WHEN I STOPPED FOR A BRIEF SECOND TO GRAB SOMETHING IN THE STROLLER. IT ONLY TAKES SECONDS THOUGH.

 

[pcparamedics01]

My DD9 is hard of hearing and really can't hear without her aides. We found the lifeguard at HH VERY helpful (generally, the WDW lifeguards are too). We informed the lifeguard the first day we arrived last year- and the whole staff seemed to remember her during the rest of our stay. They would tap her on the shoulder and talk to her face-to-face if they had an issue (she lip reads very well). She was in absolute love with the staff and so was I.

We always try and inform the lifeguards of DD's hearing loss- guess the same would go for any disorder which might interfere with the lifeguard-kid interaction!

I agree Val. Thanks

 

[pcparamedics01]

I have to watch my autistic DS 12 very closely on the slides because he loves to turn around and go down backwards, and I too always speak to the lifeguard. It really does make a difference...

Just like any typical kids as well. We vacationed with my neice and nephew 12and they are typical children and they were doing it too! In fact most kids were doing it and getting in trouble.

 

[AJKMOM]

When DS, autistic, was about 5, he got away from me at the old "Wonders of Life" pavilion, We found a CM to help look for him, and we found him about 5 minutes later, sitting on the lap of a complete stranger, watching her play one of the games. That was exciting.

 

[pcparamedics01]

Has anyone else lost there ASD child in the park?

 

[pcparamedics01]

When DS, autistic, was about 5, he got away from me at the old "Wonders of Life" pavilion, We found a CM to help look for him, and we found him about 5 minutes later, sitting on the lap of a complete stranger, watching her play one of the games. That was exciting.

So scarey!

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

My DH always makes it a point to inform the lifeguards of DS16's disability and if he's doing something he's not supposed to do and they blow a whistle or speak on the megaphone to him he does'nt understand, but we are always right there watching him and they know we will do what we need to take care of the situation and they are more understanding, you are right if they don't know they just think it's some bratty kid they have to deal with. Linda

 

[pcparamedics01]

My DH always makes it a point to inform the lifeguards of DS16's disability and if he's doing something he's not supposed to do and they blow a whistle or speak on the megaphone to him he does'nt understand, but we are always right there watching him and they know we will do what we need to take care of the situation and they are more understanding, you are right if they don't know they just think it's some bratty kid they have to deal with. Linda

Yup! I agree!

 

[AJKMOM]

In the theme parks, we always pinned a 3x5 card on his back with his name, our names, where we were staying, and a bit about his autism. This was before we had cell phones, or we would have put that there, too.

He ripped off any wrist band or name tag, but if he didn't know it was on his back, he was fine. Like others, he did not, and still doesn't, respond well when his name is called.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I didn't lose my ASD son in the park, I lost him at the Polynesian. He wanted to run ahead to the Monorail and since it was only a 10 second walk to the Lobby I let him go...only he went the wrong way. Instead of going to the Monorail in the main building at hotel, he walked all the way down to the Ticket and Transportation center.

Of course we didn't know that, so we went to the lobby concierge, who called all the life guards, the grounds crews AND sent 6 security guys rushing out of a back room to search for him.

It was a nerve wracking 15 mins before he walked in with 2 of those security guys...he asked "WHERE WERE YOU GUYS, I WAS AT THE MONORAIL, WHAT HAPPENED?"

I was glad he was found so quickly, but It really took the air out of my balloon for the day. I am one of those people who does not bounce back from stress very quickly.

 

[pcparamedics01]

I didn't lose my ASD son in the park, I lost him at the Polynesian. He wanted to run ahead to the Monorail and since it was only a 10 second walk to the Lobby I let him go...only he went the wrong way. Instead of going to the Monorail in the main building at hotel, he walked all the way down to the Ticket and Transportation center.

Of course we didn't know that, so we went to the lobby concierge, who called all the life guards, the grounds crews AND sent 6 security guys rushing out of a back room to search for him.

It was a nerve wracking 15 mins before he walked in with 2 of those security guys...he asked "WHERE WERE YOU GUYS, I WAS AT THE MONORAIL, WHAT HAPPENED?"

I was glad he was found so quickly, but It really took the air out of my balloon for the day. I am one of those people who does not bounce back from stress very quickly.

Wow! It is great to know Disney is on it!

 

[pcparamedics01]

In the theme parks, we always pinned a 3x5 card on his back with his name, our names, where we were staying, and a bit about his autism. This was before we had cell phones, or we would have put that there, too.

He ripped off any wrist band or name tag, but if he didn't know it was on his back, he was fine. Like others, he did not, and still doesn't, respond well when his name is called.

Great idea

 

[Talking Hands]

My DD9 is hard of hearing and really can't hear without her aides. We found the lifeguard at HH VERY helpful (generally, the WDW lifeguards are too). We informed the lifeguard the first day we arrived last year- and the whole staff seemed to remember her during the rest of our stay. They would tap her on the shoulder and talk to her face-to-face if they had an issue (she lip reads very well). She was in absolute love with the staff and so was I.

We always try and inform the lifeguards of DD's hearing loss- guess the same would go for any disorder which might interfere with the lifeguard-kid interaction!

This is important even if you are an adult with a hearing loss. Clueing in the lifeguards is important if they neeed to clear the pool because of lightening in the area. Also if you have any other medical issue you should be sure that someone is aware in case of emergency. Your life could very well depend on it.