Have you taken your child with autism to WDW?

[SueM in MN]

If the child gets scared in the dark, my suggestion would be glow bracelets. I always had one on, even in the daytime. If we went into an attraction that got dark, even just momentarily, my son knew right where I was. He would just grab my hand and play with the bracelet.
Good luck!

Good suggestion.
I've found glow bracelets in the party favors department in Target and also in party supply stores.

I also like the designs chocovrdmicears posted.

 

[Brightsy]

I say go for it too!
I've taken my two sons (8 yr. old w/ ADHD and 6yrl. old w/ high functioning Autism) many times. We had the fortune to live near enough to WDW for a few years and where aboe to go a lot. (It also helped to have an Uncle CheshireFigment nearby...side note: My 6yr. whenever he hears hisn "uncles" name immediatley follows it up with the statement "Go Disney!")
Anyways, the GAC is a must have. It has made our trips for easier and enjoyable. I doubt we could have had as sucessful a time without it.
My DS uses a pair of ear muffs when we've gone. They kind hunters use on the shooting range. It helps him cope with all the stimulus. He's gotten to the point with them that he'll let us know when he needs them and he'll take them off when he's comfortable.
If it's possible to have another adult w/ her party to help w/ the kids that's all good, but I've done WDW w/ my boys w/ little outside aid.
We've never had any negative experiences with CMs at the World, and the negative stuff from guests has been minimal.
I DID have one experience where another park guest glared and made a rude comment about my party being allowed to use the fast pass line at an attraction. HE made some comment about us being "lucky." *sigh* Aside from that things there have been wonderful for us.
In addition, it seems that my boy had many breakthroughs Disney. The first time he used a public restroom by himself (DH was standing right outside the stall so he wasn't alone of course) was at Epcot. The first time he ever said "I wuv ooo Mo-mgy" was at The Magic Kingdom. The first time he initiated social contact w/ another child was at the Biergarten in Epcot (and that was our first real trip to WDW)! My son fell in live w/ WDW and I think it's his favorite place in the world. (Proof of this is that he asks to go to the World every time he sees our pics from trips or when he sees commercials for WDW...LOL!)
I wish I could claim trips there was therapy expenses!
Sadly, we no longer live close enough to go as often as we did...it will likely be years and years before we can get back there...*heavy sigh* But... if the oppurtunity rises we will surely jump at it!
SO, go and have fun!

 

[LAH LAH]

Thanks for sharing this picture...it brought tears to my eyes as well...

My son has PDD and rarely allowed others to touch him...it is wonderful that Disney could bring out this memorable moment for you and your family!

 

[ireland_nicole]

We went last june w/ dd (7)ASD,BIP,ADHD,RAD, dyspraxia and DS (5) SID,GDD, and found that as long as we planned ahead, it was great. In fact, it has been the most enjoyable 10 days we have had w/ our DD. We had breakfast in the hotel, and booked our other meals 6 mos. ahead. We focused on buffets(no wait, usually character buffets so they could see the characters in a more relaxed way) and the kids also loved the coral reef (the aquarium was very relaxing.) There were a lot of rides we didn't go on because of too much noise, movement or dark. (But they loved the rest, so who cares?) I found keeping dark glasses, a hat, and those headphone things that construction guys wear to be invaluable. We used the GAC and our stroller as a wheelchair and they made a huge difference. I also planned a quiet activity after every attraction to lessen the overstimulation. We did not go to shows that required waiting outside or had too many people. We did not stay for the fireworks. We spent about 5 hours a day in the parks. I tried to think ahead what might be "too much" and avoid it. I'm sure people stared, but so what? We're used to it, and I'm too busy raising my kids to notice or care too much. As for CM's, 99% were awesome. I tried to be very positive and open to learning, and a quiet voice helped in the few difficult situations. All in all, the best thing we ever did! But from now on, we're going way off season. We're booked in Sept. LOL nicole sorry so long

 

[LuvsTinker]

What an adorable pic. Tears here too

My ASD son turned 7 on our last trip and in LTT he started calling the characters over - he will let them touch him but acts shy and does not usually call them over. Something so simple and that others take for granted, is such a sweet thing to witness.

 

[leanan]

The Guest Services staff have been awesome in giving me a General Access card for DD that helps us around a lot of her sensory problems involved with the lines. If there is a parade going on I just make sure to position us away from it if she is not in the mood. If she is in the mood I try to go where I can escape easily if it is too much for her suddenly.

It is important to bring things you can distract your child with if the going gets rough. For Nys having the game boy in my purse is a life saver. It keeps her from going bonkers in bad situations as she concentrates on the game and not the crowd. Also bringing ear plugs if your child will wear them can be helpful for things like the fireworks. I must admit Nys hates the fireworks.

 

[minkydog]

The child you described could be my son. He is very low functioning, has no language and lots of self-stimming behaviors. Oh, and he drools. I'm sure he bothers other people at times with his shrieks and coos and humming. Frankly, I wasn't ready to try him at WDW at the age of 4. So we left him at home for that first trip and only took the other typical kids.

On the other hand, when he was 8 we bit the bullet and took Christian to WDW in his w/c, along with his 15yo brother and 10yo sister, AND my mother--lots of adult hands to help out. We stayed in FW so as to have the space and privacy that I felt we needed. I shouldn't have worried so much. Everyone was great. The CMs were kind to a fault and it was one of the best vacations we ever had. I'm sure people stared but I don't remember it.

Last year we took him again at age11, this time staying at the Poly. Once again it was a wonderful trip. Christian enjoyed Mk the most, but he also liked Epcot (especially the belly dancer at the Moroccan restaurant ) We took him to the HDDR because we figured it would be nice & loud there. We even had his hair cut in the barber shop.Each trip gets a little better.

No wonder WDW is our favorite vacation spot

You can't convince someone to do this. It was a very overwhelming thing for me--I just couldn't imagine how I would manage Christian,with his diapers and food issues and medications, etc. etc. Others may disagree with me, but perhaps for their first trip they might want to think about just taking the 9yo. Once they kind of feel comfortable with Disney, they may feel more confident about taking the younger, more involved child.

 

[GrowUp2BaPrincess]

Hi,
My family is going to Disney for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary. My dh and I have taken our 3 children four times. My parents have only been once in 1985. My sister, her dh, and their 2 boys have been once. My nephews have downs and one is also autistic. I've always planned (and replanned, and overplanned, and replanned) our trips, the last two using TGM. I want to make this a memorable trip for everyone. We'll certainly be taking advantage of afternoon breaks.

What is the GAC, how does one qualify, who can use it, etc? Since this is our 1st trip with the whole family, I'd like for us to ride attractions together as much as possible. My children love their cousins and are really looking forward to enjoying disney with them.

Any suggestions for traveling with children with special needs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi,
My family is going to Disney for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary. My dh and I have taken our 3 children four times. My parents have only been once in 1985. My sister, her dh, and their 2 boys have been once. My nephews have downs and one is also autistic. I've always planned (and replanned, and overplanned, and replanned) our trips, the last two using TGM. I want to make this a memorable trip for everyone. We'll certainly be taking advantage of afternoon breaks.

What is the GAC, how does one qualify, who can use it, etc? Since this is our 1st trip with the whole family, I'd like for us to ride attractions together as much as possible. My children love their cousins and are really looking forward to enjoying disney with them.

Any suggestions for traveling with children with special needs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

There is a section about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards) in the disABILITIES FAQs that should answer all your questions about GACs.
The one thing I can think of that may be helpful to you would be to be able to be able to use a stroller as a wheelchair for the children with Down's. That would allow them to have a stroller in line and it would be treated exactly the way a wheelchair is. If they are larger, renting a wheelchair may work out, but keep in mind that the wheelchairs are adult size. Wheelchairs can be brought into lines and you don't need a GAC with a wheelchair.

Actually, using Tour Guide Mike may be more helpful to you than a GAC. TGM will help you to know where to go to avoid the crowds, which will help both in the lines/attractions and also in the parks in general.

 

[BeckyScott]

The one thing I'm struggling with right now, as the trip gets closer, is how much to plan and how much to just let happen.

Disney as a whole seems to prefer the pre-planner, and my natural tendancy is to over-plan. But I know that things seldom go as planned in our family, and I can't run us ragged or be so rigid that it takes away the fun.

Fortunately Justin doesn't get too upset about change. The last theme park we went to (our "test run" if you will) he was quite happy to ride in the stroller, reading the map to us. He'd get out when we arrived somewhere, do our thing, then get right back in. I don't think it was sensory as much as he thought he was entitled to be chauffered.

Some things have to be very planned out. We're not buying park-hoppers but we're doing dining plan. So. I had to decide what park what day. Had to plan some days for sleep-in, and an off day. I talked to both kids about the various attractions and what they were most interested in. (the short answer- anything "girlie" is out, but Justin was interested in many of the preschool-type things more than I thought he would be) I've got a packing list going with enough stuff to stock a small village, and have looked up all the TSA info etc. Plus hanging out here and getting tips and menus and everything. I've already emailed once about the food allergies. I paid for the UG website access and have touring plans, but I don't know if we'll be using them or not, that is where I think the pre-planning will have to stop.

I know we're not a "normal" family, but I can't imagine a family just deciding spur-of-the-moment to take a Disney vacation without all the prep work. I have a co-worker who did just that, took her grandkids, got a hotel reservation and a plane ticket, but other than that did absolutely no prep work. I don't think it's just because of Justin that I need to do all that stuff. Wierd.

I guess my theory is, if I do all the pre-planning as much as I can, I sort of set the stage, then we show up and the magic will happen by itself. That's my background and that's what I'm good at. In my "former life" I worked in theatre, but always backstage. I was a Support Service, really. You have all the stuff lined up, right there, when something happens you have the supplies and plan in place... but the play does what it does, things happen that you don't expect, when the performers come backstage everything is there that they need, and you just stand back and watch it happen.

 

[preschoolmom]

My son is mild on the spectrum (PDD-NOS - but honestly, very mild). He had a VERY HARD time on our trip to Disney.

We were just there two weeks ago. I had done a tremendous amount of planning. Tour Guide Mike did help - so did going during a slow time.

Bug didn't struggle in lines (waiting) - most of the time... Though he did fuss and cry in a few...

He just really reacted (strongly and badly) to the whole experience. He was fussy, crabby, tantrumy... People were AWFUL. More staring than I can recall from anywhere else I've ever gone! My son was the one screaming in Fantasyland, "I want McDonalds" over and over, while we brought him under the castle, down the walk way, and over to Tomorrowland for lunch (where he did settle and eat chicken and fries ).

People stared, glared, and looked at us as though we had the most spoiled child on the planet. Must be nice to be so judgmental. No one notices my perfectly typical twins, behaving like typical children - they just see my son and assume the worst.

Excepting my son's meltdowns - we had an amazing time. He loved the hotel (Contemporary), and enjoyed most rides (once he was on them).

I like to think that the next trip will be easier, because he will know better what to expect? He just really struggled this trip (anxiety, break from routine). The end of the trip was better than the beginning - once he got that our hotel room was "home base".

Still, it was much harder than I expected. We didn't get a GAC - I didn't see how it could help us, to be honest.

 

[lucigo]

My son is mild on the spectrum (PDD-NOS - but honestly, very mild). He had a VERY HARD time on our trip to Disney.

We didn't get a GAC - I didn't see how it could help us, to be honest.

Sorry you had such a rough trip. We went in January and I was really surprised that my son (4), who I have always though was a sensory seeker, really hated the rides. They have this typical pattern of drawing you in, having something dramatic happen and then coming down to a close. He realized this quickly and was very anxious about what drama was coming. We had to balance this with make sure we spent time doing things that he enjoyed, like sifting through the polished rocks at the gift shop, and sitting in the giant 1950 sign at Pop.

Please don't worry about what the general public think about your son. They have no idea. Its not really their fault, its just the way it is. I remember being 20 years old (before kids) and thinking my child would never do this or that.

 

[preschoolmom]

Thank you, Luci for the kind words and understanding...

I haven't posted/finished writing my trip report - and I saw this thread - and I just knew everyone would understand... It probably wasn't the best place to let it all out - but I couldn't help myself...

 

[lucigo]

Thank you, Luci for the kind words and understanding...

I haven't posted/finished writing my trip report - and I saw this thread - and I just knew everyone would understand... It probably wasn't the best place to let it all out - but I couldn't help myself...

IMO its the perfect place to let it out!

Disney is very overwhelming for ALL kids, but when you have kids like ours its good to know you aren't alone!

 

[Taratink]

GO FOR IT!!! My daughter has PDD with Noise-sensory issues and she LOVES going to WDW! We get the GAC each time we go and about 99.9% of the CMs are great with helping us out. I don't put DD on rides/attractions that agitate her but we wind up doing her favorite rides over and over. There are some characters she doesn't really care for and other characters she just loves. I just follow her lead and try not to do too much. Even at the child care clubs, when I told them about my DD's PDD, they just asked what they could do to accomodate her.

There was one attraction where DD got a little upset. She loves Finding Nemo and in December we finally got to see Finding Nemo: The Musical! at AK. While she loved the whole play, at the end of it she burst out into tears. Those of you who have gone know how 'touching' this play is but for a child with emotional issues it really hits hard with her. She kept crying about how the play was so 'beautiful'. We got some strange looks from guests but I didn't pay attention to that. We saw Nemo again the next day and she was perfectly fine. She even had me download the soundtrack off of iTunes. LOL!

I highly suggest the mother check out a copy of Passporter's Open Mouse . It has all kinds of invaluable tips for folks with all kinds of special needs--especially autism.

My son is very emotional and sensitive too. It is my most favorite thing about him. It melts my heart that your DD was so touched.

 

[disneydeb]

oh preschoolmom, dont feel bad, my daughter insisted we take my then 3 yr old dgs on good friday(2 days before easter) april last year to epcot, big mistake!!! we did not get a diagnosis until sept , sounds like the same thing we went thru, we went back in sept 2 months shy of his 4th birthday, with my fully prepared grandma handbag, we even went to mnsshp, which went fairly well,the differences: in april - tried to eat at alfredos, dgs wasnt having that , yelled and screamed from the minute we got in there, we didnt even get to order it was obvious we needed to leave, in september, no sit down restaurants for us utilized counter sevice very well, in april, wanted to kick off shoes and have major meltdown, every park, airport etc, in september vacation planned around dgs, he got to play in all fountains, i watched while daughter went shop at dtd, then she watched him while i shopped then i picked up lunch for me and her and then we broought him to mcdonalds and lket him play on playground while we got his food then he ate, also since may daughter is shop a holic, we split our time between pops and hilton at dtd, first we stayed at hilton , and i stayed in room with dgs on last day so she could finish shopping without him, then before that we stayed at pop used the pool all day one of my favorite things to do with grandson and only went to the park at nite for mnsshp, worlked very well, he would not stay in stroller though so when he finally got overtired which was at toon town, he got a ride on disney daughters shoulders out of the park andto the car.another difference in sept used the bus, major mistake, bus was crowded, long waits, dgs wanted to run between me and his mom, causing him to fall down at least once, so mom had to sit on floor with him while he was having major meltdown and everyone staring, in september we rented car, much better, knew he was going to his own car seat , and if he had meltdown, in car radio was on to distract us lol. also fun to find parking spaces with numbers and characters, so he felt like he found the car and mommy and grandma didnt have to worry about being lost in wdw, hmm that could be a dream come true.i also brought glow sticks , i found bags of 15 of them at walmart before i left, for dark scary places, i even gave them away to other scared children that were not may own, and chocolate scented bubbles for waits in line and meltdowns, we found a bench on the side and blew bubbles til we felt better. this was one of the most enjoyable trips we had,

 

[breezy1077]

My son has pdd-nos an ASD. We went when he was 5yrs old. The trip was fantastic, but would have been impossible without the GAC. My advice to the mom is plan, plan, plan. My son has huge sensory issues, but Disney didn't seem to be a problem (must be the magic). Seriously though, other events like a neighborhood easter egg hunt would send him into "manic mode" as we like to call it. We thought Disney's crowds and noise would be a problem, but they weren't. A few tips that probably helped us:
-Stay on site - it's very easy to take as many breaks from the parks as needed. Just go swimming or take a break in your room. Also, I HIGHLY recommend the Poly. We spent a little more and got a theme park view so he could still watch the fireworks, but didn't have to deal with crowds or noise (especially at the end of the day when meltdowns can occur if over-tired and over-stimulated). Half the time he was asleep by then, but we could still enjoy them as well. Transportation was GREAT at the poly. He loved the boatride (like an attraction itself) and the monorail was steps outside the resort.
-Get the GAC and use it! It was so easy and none of the CMs even so much as gave us look. We even had a CM (who was handicapped as well) personally walk us through a back entrance to the pirates of the car. att..
-We brought an umbrella stroller to use in the parks. It was not only one he is familiar with (which helps) it also provides him with a "hug" like pressure because - being 5 and tall for his age - It's a little small for him.
-If her son has food issues, either bring or buy food items she know he'll eat, or ask if there are other food options at the restaurants. We had a great experience at O'hanas dinner. It's family style with food he won't eat. The CM noticed right off the bat and offered to bring him something else (he opted for chicken strips and fries).
-again Plan, plan plan. I researched every attraction b4 we went (a tedious job but worth it) and looked out for things that would trigger meltdowns. eg. If my son gets one drop of water on him, he wants to change his clothes (a bit of an inconvenience in the middle of a park). so we avoided the river rapids. Also, be careful of sensory attractions like Stitches great escape (one I wish I'd researched a little better).
Hope these tips help - every child is different and planned differently for, but disney is the only park I know that has provided such tools like the GAC that will allow a family like ours to enjoy such an experience.

 

[Bugsmom73]

We were there 2 mos after DS diagnosis. Plan, Plan, Plan. My son is very visual. We had social stories. We talked about how we were going to stay overnight at hotel, take a shuttle bus to the airport. What we were going to do at the airport. Appriopriate behavior on the plane(ie no screaming or kicking the seat in front of you). When we would be in his carseat, when he wouldn't be. The story was about 10 pages and included everything from the night before we left to arriving at AKL. We did the same for the parks. Just a general one. He had ONE meltdown the entire week and it was probably more our fault than his, we didn't transition when leaving Nemo and the living seas and he melted down. 5 minutes after he left he was asleep. He still looks at the stories now but tells me we have to wait in line at the airport to get a job though. Not bad for kid who wasn't talking a year ago.

FWIW, we had the GAC card too.