Has anyone had issues with another guest at the parks with your ASD child

[pcparamedics01]

Mine is actually about a CM. Both of my kids are autistic. Our last trip was to celebrate DD's 12th birthday. I took hereto BBB for her magical transformation as Cinderella. She was so thrilled!!!! As we travelled from DDD to MK to meet DH and DS for lunch, people approached her and told her how beautiful she looked and addressed her as "Princess Cinderella". She was completely in character......curtsying, waving and blowing kisses to everyone. It was very magical.

As we got to the turnstiles at MK, the CM looked at her and said......"Don't you think you're a bit old for "dress-up". DD was crushed. I turned to the CM and quietly said "you should never judge what you don't know or understand".

The day was saved by a wonderful PhotoPass Photographer who took some beautiful shots of her in front of the Castle. He really went out of his way to make her fell like a Princess again!

She's a doll. A lot of 12 year olds dress up like that in Disney. I have seen grown men and highschoolers in goofy ears. It is all part of the magic!! The main thing is she is happy!

 

[Disneylvr]

It isn't a good idea to let him sit on any railings if you can help it. The railings are not designed to hold weight, especially not 200 pounds. He could slip off the rail or he might plop down on a rail sometime and break it, possibly injuring himself or others. Ropes are even worse for him to sit on as they and their posts can support a LOT less weight than the solid rails and if a rope snaps it could turn into a whip and hurt somebody. The rails and ropes are there to control pedestrian traffic and designate areas, they are not benches.

Many kids with autism need to feel that deep pressure (from sitting on or pressing up agains things like rails, posts, ropes etc.) to know where their body is in space. My daughter will do this too. It will happen, safe or not, although we do our best to make sure our kids are being safe.

Donatalie, your daughter is beautiful!!!!

 

[tacomaranch]

DS just looks like every other 4 yr but because of the autism he is not. I get stares, glares, looks rude remarks, etc. Yes, I am new and it still hurts. I spend more time crying than laughing. I don't know what to say or do!

I am still designing and making our shirts with the autism logo and mickey on the front pocket and Ask me about Autism on the back. Hopefully it will stop the looks.

On our last trip we had 3 aides! It was a long trip and didn't want our main person to get tired. So she brought her sister and a friend. Hence we had a large number on our GAC. Who every had DS had the GAC. It was usually just the aides or DH and I. We got looks each time we went by and many a time have I heard "I want a card like that" The answer is always....no you don't.

I hope our shirts work to deter the "look" this time.

donatalie, your DD is beautiful!

 

[LisaBi]

As we got to the turnstiles at MK, the CM looked at her and said......"Don't you think you're a bit old for "dress-up". DD was crushed. I turned to the CM and quietly said "you should never judge what you don't know or understand".

I've never had that problem with CM's, but have with other guests. DS14 (has Down Syndrome) was chosen for the Sword in the Stone, the Stars Wars Academy thing, and the Pirate Tutorial (all different trips), all when he was much bigger than the kids that are typically chosen. In the Star Wars thing, he definitely looked funny up there with all the smaller kids - they didn't even have a robe that fit him. But he didn't care - to him it was wonderful.

I did overhear a few comments from other guests, esp. at Pirate Tutorial, about "why didn't they let a younger child have that spot?" Well, he is younger developmentally! And "Jack" was wonderful with him. (DS tried to have a sword fight with Jack.)

Kudos to the caring CM's who do notice a bigger/older child with exceptionalities to whom participating would mean the world!

 

[Joanna71985]

I've never had that problem with CM's, but have with other guests. DS14 (has Down Syndrome) was chosen for the Sword in the Stone, the Stars Wars Academy thing, and the Pirate Tutorial (all different trips), all when he was much bigger than the kids that are typically chosen. In the Star Wars thing, he definitely looked funny up there with all the smaller kids - they didn't even have a robe that fit him. But he didn't care - to him it was wonderful.

I did overhear a few comments from other guests, esp. at Pirate Tutorial, about "why didn't they let a younger child have that spot?" Well, he is younger developmentally! And "Jack" was wonderful with him. (DS tried to have a sword fight with Jack.)

Kudos to the caring CM's who do notice a bigger/older child with exceptionalities to whom participating would mean the world!

That is so sad!

 

[lalapodip]

No stares or glares....my DS is 12 and during our last trip he used the MacLaren Major stroller, which he was almost too big for. I think that people recognized that he was "special" - able bodied but not able to walk throughout the parks....but as others have said, I really don't care what people think because I am doing what I need to do to keep my son safe and happy. WDW has been absolutely wonderful for my son and I can't wait to go again.

 

[TwitterMouse]

donatalie: Your DD is just adorable She looks so happy in those pictures.

 

[pcparamedics01]

Many kids with autism need to feel that deep pressure (from sitting on or pressing up agains things like rails, posts, ropes etc.) to know where their body is in space. My daughter will do this too. It will happen, safe or not, although we do our best to make sure our kids are being safe.

Donatalie, your daughter is beautiful!!!!

I agree! My son does flips on the trampoline. He is very good many times double flips for the deep pressure! I can say when we are on it. It does wonders for him!

 

[donatalie]

Thanks for all of the wonderful comments!!!!

You'd think after 10 years of living in the "world of autism" I'd have a thicker skin. When things are said about my kids I usually can let it roll off. I'll just vent to DH later.
This time, however, the hurtful comment was said to her. DD's reaction just pushed me over the edge.

I did overhear a few comments from other guests, esp. at Pirate Tutorial, about "why didn't they let a younger child have that spot?" Well, he is younger developmentally!

DD is really interested (now) in doing some of the activities that are meant for kiddos 3-10 like the cooking activity at the Grand Floridian. When she was in that age group she wasn't ready.

 

[livndisney]

As we got to the turnstiles at MK, the CM looked at her and said......"Don't you think you're a bit old for "dress-up". DD was crushed. I turned to the CM and quietly said "you should never judge what you don't know or understand".

That CM is clueless! Just today I saw a GRANDMOTHER leaving BBB with her granddaughter-Grandmother and granddaughter were BOTH made up.
I am so sorry that happened to your DD. I have zero tolerance for things like that. You handled it better than I would have.

Hugs to you and your DD.

 

[LisaBi]

DD is really interested (now) in doing some of the activities that are meant for kiddos 3-10 like the cooking activity at the Grand Floridian. When she was in that age group she wasn't ready.

I forgot that we did the Toll House thing in The Land when he was technically over the age limit too. The CM's were great with it. I wouldn't do it now that he is 14, but when he was 12... (I don't think they have that anymore )

 

[thea611]

She looks so happy, and just like a little princess!! I'm glad she had such a good time. That CM should have just hugged her, I would've wanted to....

 

[pcparamedics01]

Thanks for all of the wonderful comments!!!!

You'd think after 10 years of living in the "world of autism" I'd have a thicker skin. When things are said about my kids I usually can let it roll off. I'll just vent to DH later.
This time, however, the hurtful comment was said to her. DD's reaction just pushed me over the edge.


We all have thick skin and will fight until we drop for our children! I know how hurtful it must of been to her. You are better then me because I roll it off by speaking my mind. I have too! My husband sprints out of the way! I do not do it in every case only if they confonted me as to if he is rude, a brat, won't wait his turn, spoiled, an aweful child, needs to learn to take his turn, no manners, an aweful child. etc.


However in all fairness, parents do not know there is something wrong with him except for the above. But, I would never confront a parent about their child for any reason. I would make my child walk away! Even before I knew he was ASD, I would I ever talk out of turn about anyones child. So I do not like it done to me, especially when he is ASD.

 

[Val]

My DD9 has hearing loss, not autism. We didn't have a problem at WDW, but at Busch Gardens! My DD9 has moderate hearing loss and an inner ear disorder which does NOT allow her to ride the big coasters (good thing she is afraid anyway!). She was not allowed on any of the kiddie rides because she was "too old", but was unable to go on any of the older kid type rides. In addition, they had NO sign or sound augmentation devices available. After we rode the train and visited the animals we sat around the park doing nothing all day because she can't risk a bang to the head and she couldn't hear the shows. My three older kids and DH went back for a second day while we went to Disney Studios! DD9 and I will never visit again even though it was a beautiful park.

At WDW we have NEVER had any trouble with this, even though she is tall for her age (or at Universal for that matter). They see her aids, see us sign, and let us make whatever accommodations we need.

 

[pcparamedics01]

My DD9 has hearing loss, not autism. We didn't have a problem at WDW, but at Busch Gardens! My DD9 has moderate hearing loss and an inner ear disorder which does NOT allow her to ride the big coasters (good thing she is afraid anyway!). She was not allowed on any of the kiddie rides because she was "too old", but was unable to go on any of the older kid type rides. In addition, they had NO sign or sound augmentation devices available. After we rode the train and visited the animals we sat around the park doing nothing all day because she can't risk a bang to the head and she couldn't hear the shows. My three older kids and DH went back for a second day while we went to Disney Studios! DD9 and I will never visit again even though it was a beautiful park.

At WDW we have NEVER had any trouble with this, even though she is tall for her age (or at Universal for that matter). They see her aids, see us sign, and let us make whatever accommodations we need.

That is what it is ultimately about. To make concessions for our children to make it a magical experience!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

My son is dev disabled due to a stroke in utero. Many of his issues overlap with asd. We had our first actual issue with a guest. He has been giving sort of raspberries at people thinking his is funny. He almost blows air up from his lower lip making a sound. So not spitting really but very startling. So of course he did it to this girl by the pool at Royal Pacific Resort. The mother was horrified and DH apologized and he reprimanded our son. She wasn't satisfied with the way he corrected Chris and was almost annoyed DH didn't physically punish Chris. We don't hit or spank. So she was saying stuff under her breath then pointing him out later by the pool. But whatever she is obviously super concerned with others parenting. We didn't correct him her way so it wasn't enough.

 

[irish dancer]

I forgot that we did the Toll House thing in The Land when he was technically over the age limit too. The CM's were great with it. I wouldn't do it now that he is 14, but when he was 12... (I don't think they have that anymore )

We did the Toll House thing in the Land this past June so it is still there. It is off to the side across from the Living With The Land ride, kind of hidden behind the food court to the left. We didn't do it with ds7 who is ASD as the waiting and taking turns would have been tough for him plus they squeeze quite a few kids in which would have presented a problem too. DDs 10 and 6 did it and loved it.

 

[ExtinctDino]

A guest on a bus once decided we were terrible parents because our mentally retarded son was picking his nose. I see "normal" adults - some dressed in nice suits on the way to work - doing worse on the Washington DC public transportation system all the time.

 

[Napria]

My son is dev disabled due to a stroke in utero. Many of his issues overlap with asd. We had our first actual issue with a guest. He has been giving sort of raspberries at people thinking his is funny. He almost blows air up from his lower lip making a sound. So not spitting really but very startling.

Oh, I remember getting called into a conference in special-needs preschool due to my son's "spitting"! It turned out he was blowing raspberries. And for this we had to sit down with the teacher AND the director of the school! Glad those days are over!

My DS also suffered a stroke. We're not sure whether it was in utero, at birth or soon thereafter, but he was 3 months old when he was dx'd and they could see it wasn't recent on the MRI.

Another similarity is both our sons are named Chris. My DS had a dev delay label due to the stroke, but later was dx'd with ADHD at the age of 7. I didn't believe that was a correct dx and pushed to get another neuropsych eval, which then revealed Chris has high-functioning autism.

He also has epilepsy, which our neurologist told us long ago was just a matter of time before he developed it, due to the stroke.

Send me a PM if you'd like to talk. We've been through a lot, and things are still tough, but it DOES get easier to handle as your child gets older.

 

[My2Angels]

We have 2 girls with oculocutaneous albinism. Although they wear glasses, with their lenses on their visual acuity is only 20/330 at best. They are also very sun sensitive and burn easily, even with 50+SPF. Needless to say, Disney was a challenge in the Orlando heat and sun, and most shows they could not see, even on the front row.

We had several rude comments from people. The only times we used our pass was in the blazing sun of the Dumbo ride, and other rides where sun was an issue, which in Fantasyland is not many. Also, when we went to shows. In several shows, we heard comments from others in line because most assume that they have glasses, oh, their vision is corrected.....

At Philharmagic, the CM completely ignored what I told her and put us in the wheelchair line. We ended up in the BACK of the theatre instead of the front, and had to get in line all over again!!! Then, she was irritated with us for asking to be put in the front!