Has Anyone Tried WOC with Autistic Kids?

[Midnightred]

I can't decide if wating for World of Color will be worth it for us. I have 2 autisic boys ages 8 and 10. The little one is non-verbal, and seems to move around all the time if not sitting. He will have a GAC. We could do the dinner, but don't you have to stand and wait for a long time anyway and get a fast pass? What about the disabled area? Isn't that for wheelchairs only? I would love to take them if it could work out. What are your experiences?

Midnightred

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

From what I remember from the time I viewed World of Color next to the Wheelchair area there was limited seating and it seemed to be only for those in wheelchairs and there party, I don't know if a GAC will get you in that area. It's pretty much like the ones for parades or fireworks shows.

 

[2luvmickey]

I went to WOC last year in a wheelchair (broken ankle), and we still had to wait a while before the show started. Had our LD niece with us and she loved the show.

I also work with children with autism (non verbals are my favorite to work with), do you have "fidgit toys" or something that will keep the boys happy while they wait?

If you can, make a trip to the Dollar Store to pick up some light sticks, or mini flashlights (much cheaper than buying at the park), I know that entertains the kids. Maybe this link could help you:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/06/world-of-color-viewing-tips/

My suggestion is you could try it, and leave if the boys get too antsy.

Have a magical trip!

 

[gilesmt]

each card is different so I don't know if it is different for autism, but I was not placed in w/c area, I am blind, and have a audio device that Disney gives. I was placed on the right side red, up front, so that the device can pick up the program. I was able to see a little. I find it funny, they give me a device so that I can hear the discriptions because I am blind, but then they place me up front, which was nice but pointless because I could not see all that much. Anyway it is a great place and if you can ask tell them you want up front in the red section, I think it is the last part to fill up, at least for us it was on the day we went, so we did not spend to long waiting, but again maybe because my disability is different. When we went to pick up the device we ask for the WOC ticket tickets, they are giving then and you get them for up to 6 people, they are in the red section tier 1, so you do not have to get in line for a fast pass. When I went to get in line, the CM told me that I could come back in 30 minutes, so we did, and we were escorted down to the section before anyone else, and told where to stand so that the device would be able to pick up the description. Everyone in our party was so happy to be there. To me the only draw back would be that it is a place you could get soaked, we didn't on this night but it can be a problem.

 

[Midnightred]

Sounds like you had the ideal experience Gill! Also, for the other post, fidget toys are a great idea! So dinner pkg or GAC, what do you think?

Midnightred

 

[gilesmt]

I was hoping you would read between the lines but maybe I was not clear enough. With out saying it, because I know it will start a huge debate, but many who do not need w/c rent them for whatever reason, I was trying to hint to rent one of those devices. To me you are not cheating the system at all, I use to work with autism and have an adopted sister that was autistic, I know many of them hear better than they see and visa versa. I don't think it would be an un reasonable accommodation especially for two children with autism to have them also hear the discription of the show as well as watch it, twice as much sensory imput and that is was their disorder is, sensory imput disorder. So rent one of those devices, you actually leave a deposit but you get it all back, when you return the device on the same day, so it actually does not cost you anything. That way they will give you a pass to the red section tier one, no having to get a fast pass, since that is the only area that the device works in. Then hopefully your wait will be very short, or if you have to wait hopefully they will put you in the section ahead of time without the crowd and at least your children will be able to play around before the crowd comes.

If you use the idea please let us know so we can let others know of the option, as I say, at least to me it falls under the category of a reasonable accommodation for those with sensory imput disorders and I am surprised it has never been used yet, maybe just because no one has thought of it before. But I am sure that others would see it differently.

 

[dclfun]

Things may have changed but I saw WOC twice last April both by using a fastpass (from the picnic meals) and by going to the dinner at Ariel's Grotto with friends. Both times we were seated in an "accessible" area. The first time when I was using the fastpass from the picnic meal the accessible area was also being used by a family with a disabled autistic son. I really enjoyed him and his brother, who had Aspergers and knew anything and everything about the show. I learned a lot from him! The family sat on the benches and I was next to them in my wheelchair. The wait was really hard on them as they'd had a long day. Finally the boy with autism sat on the ground with my lab service dog and they snuggled up together. It really calmed him down and he was able to enjoy the show. The area did fill quickly and it was first come first served for the seating. The second time we were seated in a more preferred area with bench seating and the view was better. There still was a long wait if you wanted to be guaranteed a place to sit. I'm not sure how things are going now as I did hear there were changes in procedure, but I'd be sure to stop by Guest Services and let them know what you need to be able to enjoy the show. Being in the midst of a pressing crowd or not being prepared is horrible for anyone, let alone someone with that kind of disability.

 

[cfitler]

Thank you thank you thank you....we are going in one month, my son is autistic, and hearing/comprehension are always issues for him. With this device, I will not be asked what are they saying, what's happening throughout the show.

A million mouse ears to you!

Connie
Marlton, NJ
First trip to DL
Many to WDW!

 

[Midnightred]

What kind of device do you mean? A caption/sound device you can rent? That would be super, because my kids insist on putting the captions on while watching movies due to their auditory processing disorder. Thanks!

Midnightred

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you thank you thank you....we are going in one month, my son is autistic, and hearing/comprehension are always issues for him. With this device, I will not be asked what are they saying, what's happening throughout the show.

A million mouse ears to you!

Connie
Marlton, NJ
First trip to DL
Many to WDW!

What kind of device do you mean? A caption/sound device you can rent? That would be super, because my kids insist on putting the captions on while watching movies due to their auditory processing disorder. Thanks!

Midnightred

The device that was mentioned describes everything that is happening and sends a verbal description of it thru the device. I tried to find some video of it, but all of the video links I found were broken.
Basically, it describes everything in great detail. For example, in the description scene I saw video of for Haunted Mansion, it says thing like " to the right, stairs reach up to the ceiling, seeming to go nowhere. Some up upside down. Faint green footprints are climbing the stairs ."

The audio descriptions would actually be too much stimulation for someone who can see, but has problems with comprehending spoken words and sounds because it plays with the other attraction sounds/voices and things being viewed. I think it would be major overload for someone with audio processing difficulties. Twice the audio input for someone who already is having problems with audio comprehension could end up in meltdown mode.
Someone who difficulty with visual processing of any kind might find it useful though.

These are some links to information about the "Audio Description" device to provide desciptions to guest with visual impairment.

• Link to newspaper story about it with a picture .
• Link to thread with more information.
• A news story about audio descriptions
• Link to blog on allearsnet.com which talks more about the handheld assistive device.
• link to a Disney blog about the device

The same device is also used for captioning of what is being said or sung - which sounds like it would be more helpful to you. The captioning works pretty much like TV captioning. Some guests who have used it have reported it does not always correspond with exactly what is being said or the timing may be off.
Here's a link to the Disney website's page about hearing disabilities.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/plan/guest-services/hearing-disabilities/