Just back November 2 DS's first trip since Diagnosis

[s&k'smom]

Hey guys sorry I couldn't post sooner but my computer at home is very slow. Well we finally came home from a fabulus trip to WDW and our stay at GF. DS, who is midly autistic, did so well. He hated the plane ride and wouldn't go on any rides until the last day and he went on only 1. But the extra $ for the GF was well spent as we played by the pool every afternoon and they gave us a room with a view of the monorail going by. We stayed at Sago Cay right next to the coffee shop. We learned some tricks for our next trip and just really took the week as it came. Any questions I'd be glad to answer. Just wanted to let you all know we had the most amazing time.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the report and glad to hear you had a good time. Even though he didn't go on a lot of rides, you built a foundation for future trips.

 

[JudithM]

Thanks for sharing a bit of your "amazing" trip to WDW with us! Glad to read your time at WDW went relatively smooth.

Originally posted by SueM in MN
you built a foundation for future trips.

How true! How true!

 

[s&k'smom]

Just wanted to add that we got the GAC and even though we only used it once it was a lifesaver. They wer very nice to us and even took DS's picture on the one ride we went on. Also we found the restaurants that had crayons were a great way for DS to keep occupied especially since he never eats anything. I know the Cape May Cafe, Grand Floridian Cafe, Trail's End, Kona Cafe and 50's Prime Time Cafe all have crayons for the kids. I think most do but these were the restaurants we made it too!

 

[adisneyfan2]

I too have a DS with autism, and though he is very high-functioning, I would not describe him as "mildly autistic", because IMHO, either you are or you aren't. (Kind of like you can't really be mildly pregnant either!! LOL) We are grateful for all the wonderful abilities he has, but don't want to discount the difficulties he faces as a result of his diagnosis. ANYWAY, your post caught my eye, because our very first trip to WDW with DS was 3 years ago, about 2 mos after he was diagnosed. We worried that all the sensory stimulation would send him over the edge, and wondered if we should cancel our trip. At times he did lose it, and we were all ready to pull our hair out. I am happy to report however, that we have made 4 or 5 trips since, (3 with the GAC), and each trip he is more comfortable and more able to participate in more rides/attractions. WDW went from a stress-loaded Russian Roulette experience to DS's favorite destination on Earth! In our experience, almost every CM from the hotels to the restaurants to the attractions do their best to help make WDW as great as could be for DS and us (most of the time with no clue that he even has a diagnosis!) This is why we are going for the fourth time this year in December!! I'm glad you had a "most amazing time" and hope next time is even better.