I'm a bit concerned that my son won't want to ride anything! (as)

preschoolmom

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He is on the Autism Spectrum, mild - but... I don't know if he is a sensory seeker or avoider. That sounds silly that I don't know... But...

We took him on a Carousal ride at a zoo when he was just 16 months old - and he screamed the whole time. To this day, no matter what zoo we go to, he says, "I don't want to ride that!" when he sees a carousal :rotfl: :confused3

He wouldn't ride anything at Chuck E Cheese as a little guy, either... But he does great at the playground. He is very active (running, jumping, he can walk forever)...

So... What if we get to the world, and he won't ride anything. Thoughts? Anyone BTDT with a spectrum kiddo?

Thanks.
 
I was worried too that my HFA son (7) would not want to ride anything. We had some bad memories with certain rides at other parks but let me give you a small ray of hope. I have heard other mothers of spectrum kids on the DIS boards speak of it as well, there is something truly magical about taking your child to Disney, they might do things they have not done at home before. Our once timid and shy child really burst out of his shell on our first trip, talking up a storm (which he really did not do at that point), he went on rides I was sure he was going to start screaming through the second he got on (and then asked to go on again!) Our last trip (we have been twice and are headed down again May 27th) he was and had been terrified of the water, we stayed at ASMo and he saw mickey in the water and decided he would give it a try. By the end of the week he was swimming from one side to the other (with a vest on of course). Some people see big things others see little and some see none at all, the important thing is to let him lead you, let him show you the way and if he rides something great, if not, that's okay too, your whole trip could be made by one little moment you get to share!. It might be a good idea (if your staying on property) to take him to the playground, to start him off (Coranado Springs has a great playground - I believe that you can go and visit the playground without being a guest, not sure though). Start him off slow and build up. You may also want to bring with you some items that you know might help calm him or prevent an outburst like earplugs (if he will wear them) IPOD or music, or buy a small Mickey Mouse plush and take out the filling, replace it with weights (you can put sand in a ziplock and then tape it to prevent tears). It might be a bit heavy to lug in the parks if he doesn't want it but you will thank yourself for doing it on the occassions he does (if he responds to deep pressure).

Hope you have a great trip!
 
I can think of 2 pieces of advice -
  • You probably know more about your child's likes and dislikes than you realize. It's probably just not something that you thought about this way before.
    Get as much information about the attractions as you can and try to think about how they relate to things you know he has experienced before that he either liked or didn't like.

    Some resources for you to use would be:
    - checking for amateur videos on youtube.com or on the DIS site near the bottom of the photo/video page.

    - Disney Sing-a-long DVDs (there is one called "Disneyland Fun" that you can find on Amazon.com. It does show Disneyland, but most of the rides it shows are not significantly different).

    - a book called Walt Disneyworld for Kids by Kids. It has some pretty specific information from a kids' eye view of the attractions, including a 'scare factor' and things kids liked or did not like.
  • Many rides are similar - for example, if he like Dumbo at MK, Aladdin's Magic Carpets at MK and TriceraTop Spin at AK are very similar, but with different theming.
 
I just returned from the world three days ago after taking my Aspergers Autism, SID grandson for his fifth birthday. He had watched parts of the planning video, but we hadn't talked about the attractions very much. I did show him pictures from previous family trips of his Dad, aunt and uncle when they were young. He said he wanted to drive a race car, and ride a train, so thats where we started. After a successful drive on the speedway, we started by walking and I would point out rides and ask if he would like to ride. He would watch for a while then decide. Surprisingly he went on Buzz, TTA, Speedway (again), teacups, barnstormer, Pooh, Peter Pan, and his favorite Its a small world. We rode the train around the park a couple times, and toured toontown. I carried ear protectors, but we never needed them. For some reason he turned down the carrousel, and Dumbo. Later he rode the triceratops at AK though. He loved the safari. Let the child set the pace. I never tried to talk DGS into anything. He had the best experience with Pooh and Tigger at a character area near Ariel's grotto. They were so patient with him, I cried. He had his favorite blanket with him that I made out of Pooh and Tigger flannel. Pooh practically jumped a fence when he saw DGS in line with the blanket. He kept pointing to himself and then at him on the blanket. Tigger took the blanket and made a big deal of it. He wrapped himself in it, then wrapped DGS in it. Meanwhile DGS had had time to get accustomed to the characters. Although I was so tired at the end of the trip, I was so grateful that I had done it. The biggest challenge was finding food that he would eat. He has an aversion to textured foods, and chewing. Can't wait to take him back though. Good luck Anne
 

My Aspie boy (and his little sister, who is borderline, but not diagnosed at this point) are "seekers", not avoiders. They seem pretty opposite of your DS. While they don't like being startled, either (my 12 y.o. is still afraid of the Haunted Mansion!) they tend towards things that will make them dizzy and "lose their stomach". Whether it be the tea cups really fast, or a teeter-totter very fast, or simply spinning in place at home, they love it and seek it out. Though, I know some seekers seek out softer sensations (tickles, feathers, etc.) Mine have wanted to do the "big" rides at WDW/DLR before they were even tall enough for it. Last time we went, DD was only 3.5 and Star Tours was her favorite ride. This year, at just five, it was Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain.
I'd start with some tamer rides, maybe even starting at tamer parks, like EPCOT or AK or MGM. Then let him guide you. I agree with the others about the books and videos and youtube.
Also, make sure you have whatever comfort item your DS has with you at all times. One of the big things about Aspies, I've found, is the unpredictability of their responses and things they've done a hundred times can all of a sudden freak them out. For DS, it's his Pooh bear, for DD it's simply a receiving blanket (not a particular one, just one.) DS now has a stress rock that he rubs, and we make sure we have that too.
For us, it was important to build in down time. They do get overwhelmed. A bit of sensory overload. We spend the extra money and do TS as much as possible so we can sit down, relax and be served. We'll sit down and have an afternoon snack and find a spot for the parade, we'll go back to the hotel and nap/rest (and what relaxes DS, video games!) I try to find someplace/some time where he can run and he's not jumbled in crowds.
I particularly watch his "sensory diet" when he's at places like this. I bring gum for him to chew on (it helps center him) and make sure he gets things like crunch apples, chips and ice throughout the day. I make sure he drinks lots of water and stays cool or warm and has snacks/food. Body changes (hunger, cold, hot, dehydrated) really impact him more than others and it "sneaks up" on us if we aren't pro-active, as he doesn't realize it until after it's too late.
I watch his face and body cues. He tends to "pick" if he's anxious, gets snappy if he's overwealmed, etc.
He is very much into routine and predictability, so we try to build it in as much as possible. We tell him what park we're going to the next day, give him a bit of a road map of the day (we'll have breakfast in the room, lunch at Liberty Tree, where you'll see characters, sometime in the afternoon, we'll go back to the hotel and rest/swim, and then in the evening we'll go to EPCOT and eat at the Land and watch Illuminations.) I've learned not to give times, to warn him that we may have to walk past something that he really likes in order to use fast passes later, and give him warnings if we have to deviate from the plan.
They both will typically want to do rides over and over. If we're able, we'll let them do it, but we'll set a limit, such as "one time only" or "we'll have to come back to it.
Also, and this was even more prevalent this last visit than others, he is so black and white with rules that it personally bothers him to see others not following them. Whether it's line jumping, or sitting where they're not supposed to, or parking their stroller outside the designated "stroller parking" area, it upsets him and he'll loudly let everyone know about it. Something to always keep in mind.
Hope you have a great time!
 
My ds (almost 11) also aspie has been going with me since he was 3. There are still MANY rides he won't ride. Shows he won't see. We let him set the pace....each trip i try to get him to try something he hasn't done before with the promise that if he hates it he won't have to do it again. He has been over 20 times.....there are many things he does enjoy....and many he does not!
 
One thing about the "for Kids by Kids" book. It includes what I'd call a "binary" rating system of icons on the rides. There is no indication whether "dark" means 5 seconds (i.e. PoC) or 2 minutes (i.e. Space Mountain).

The "Unofficial Guide..." includes a table with things that may scare kids that I thought had more detail.

In any case, there are playgrounds, and your son might enjoy them and meeting characters and other things even if he doesn't get into the rides.

Richard
 
My son would only ride the "mexican pavaillion" and the safari ride at AK last time. But it was still worth it. He loved the pool, meeting charactors and got soaked at the fountain outside the muppets. Every trip is a little different, like now we can watch the fireworks where before we couldn't. What really worked for us was having a schedule, couple of hours in the park in the morning than off to the resort pool to work off any sensory issues then he was great to go in the evening, a few times he went back down to the pool in the evening just to work off some sensory "stuff".
 
My DS12 is on the highly-functioning end of the spectrum. When went to WDW for the first time in 2001 and he seemed afraid to ride anything. Therefore, we started with (and continue with) outright bribery - "First we ride Splash Mountain and then we get ice cream". It worked, because once he realized the ride wasn't going to injure or kill him, he adored whatever ride that was and wanted to go on again. The only attraction he won't ride is ToT but I have hopes that when he sees DD10 ride it, he'll give it a go.

I am a firm believer in "pushing the envelope" as far as my DS is concerned. If I allowed him to sit out whatever event in life frightened him, he would never grow as a person. Just my method and so far, its working fabulously (according to his teachers).
 
I am a firm believer in "pushing the envelope" as far as my DS is concerned. If I allowed him to sit out whatever event in life frightened him, he would never grow as a person. Just my method and so far, its working fabulously (according to his teachers).

Add me to the "pushing the envelope" club! We encourage,explain and ask for a try on things our Aspie doesn't want to try. Food is a big one, he's really expanded his menu by just trying a little bit. If we didn't push he would be happy to eat the same thing everyday.

As for rides, he would cry on the small train ride at the zoo when he was little. Started taking him to the fair and getting him on some gentle stuff. His first trip to WDW last year he did EE and loved it. We have more of a problem with his OC behavior with the seatbelts(he's been through exposure therapy). He whined while standing in the FP lane at Soarin' but we got him on and guess what? "It was fun". Also the Indy cars at MK, it was fun.
 
Hi preschoolmom!

We have made four trips with our daughter and autistic son. I echo all the above posters.... you really won't know until you get there, follow your child's lead, bring items to provide sensory diet, etc.

In addition to WDW For Kids, By Kids, there is an excellent book, PassPorter's WDW for Your Special Needs, that breaks down the attractions and shows according to various special needs, including ASD and ADD. I found it very helpful. I just happened to see a copy today at Borders, but you can also order it online at www.passporter.com.

Remember, too, that WDW is so much more than just rides! Even if he doesn't want to ride anything, which I really doubt, there is so much to see and do in the parks and at the resorts that you would still have a wonderful vacation, I'm sure!

Good Luck! :grouphug:

Kathy
 
In addition to WDW For Kids, By Kids, there is an excellent book, PassPorter's WDW for Your Special Needs, that breaks down the attractions and shows according to various special needs, including ASD and ADD. I found it very helpful. I just happened to see a copy today at Borders, but you can also order it online at www.passporter.com.
I second the Passporter book is good. I was one of the peer reviewers, so I read every word of it.

Because it's a rather large book, my suggestion is to page thru it to get an idea of what is in it and how it's arranged. Then, go thru it again with a highlighter to mark things you want be able to find again.

The other suggestion is to take the "best" and "worst" attractions for specific conditions with a grain of salt. They came up with them by having a lot of people fill out surveys, but from each group of attractions, you had to pick a "best" and a "worst" for that condition (I went thru the survey several times; for mobility for DD, for ADD for same DD, for ADD for nephew who has come with us, etc). Some of the attractions that were the best for mobility for a wheelchair might be poor for an ECV or for someone with mobility problems who walks with a cane, but there was no way to put why you were rating it the way you did, what part of the attraction was a problem or more specifically what the disability was excpet for the broad categories. For ASD, I know some of the "worst for autism" attractions in the book have been noted by posters as their child with autism's favorite; probably because everyone with autism was put together as autism (the same as "mobility" included people who were full time wheelchair users and couldn't walk, those with ECVs and those with bad knees who maybe had problems with steps).
 
Something I just did was create a grocery a grocery list on gardengrocer.com so when we are there, DS's favorites will be delivered to the room. He is also an extremely picky eater so it will be so nice to have his food in the room.
 
We are going in about 3 weeks, with my Non-Verbal Learning Disordered (NLD, also on the autistic spectrum) son DS13. When he was about 4, he went on a kiddie coaster. Hated it. To this day will not ride things that are obviously "coasters". But he loves spinning rides like the tea cups (which make me ill). In addition to the "go with his flow" advice, I'm going to add - be prepared to do the "baby swap" with your DH on rides that aren't usual swappout rides. Maybe have him go through the queue with you as a family. Then Dad rides with DDs and mom stays with DS. Then Mom can ride with DDs again while Dad takes DS. That way, DS knows he doesn't have to ride. And people will come back from riding, having had fun. Then maybe he'll be ready to try it. :yay:

With my son, he can't generalize. So just because one ride was fun, doesn't mean that another - even one just like it - will also be. That's just how he's wired. Boat rides were good for him, when he was younger, because they were smoother. Stangely, when we took him to Disneyland as a toddler, he'd always fall asleep on Pirates. And wake up for Small World.

Your mileage may... and probably will...vary. Each person along the autistic spectrum is incredibly unique and different. And we poor parents are left to experiment just to find our what makes our kids tick.

Best of luck to you. I hope you have a wonderful and magical trip. :wizard:

Mer
 
Was reading the postings even though neither of my children has ADD.
Went went DD was 5 and DS was 4. Even though I thought I had thoroughly prepared both for what was to happen on most of our trip, my daughter did a personality change and freaked out just getting on the plane. Apparently, she was upset that so many attractions are "in buildings" where she couldn't see what they would do, and was very upset for three days. Had a small episode at the Haunted Mansion, but by the end of the ride, the wanted to ride it again. She even got upset just going into a restaurant! Breakthrough moment in Mickey's Philharmagic when she got up from her seat and started dancing! Just goes to show that ALL kids can be unpredictable in strange environments. Have a super trip!
 
Sam is a sensory seeker AND avoider. Some trips the teacups are just the thing he needs, other trips they are the worst thing I could consider doing. Fortunately he is verbal and aware of his sensory issues. He can tell me if he thinks something might set him off. He can also tell when he needs a break, although he cant decide what kind of break. We start the breaks by finding a quiet spot and if that doesnt seem to be working then we try getting him some sort of sensory input. Either a ride (tea cups) or by administering some joint pressure (rubbing his knees, shoulders, etc)
The only rides he refuses to try are rock n roller coaster (because of the loud music in his ears) and dinosaur (he just says it looks scary)
He LOVES the rest of the coasters though. If he could he would ride them over and over.
Everyone else has said this, but just go with the flow. Give him some sort of schedule for the day and let him know if he wants to try something to let you know. Same with if he changes his mind and decides he cant handle something.
 














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