Kids Clubs & Autism

[DisMomAmy]

Does anyone have any experiece to share about Disney Kids' Clubs & autism?

I have two boys (7 & 10) with Asperger's & High Functioning Autism.

We are considering the kids' club at the Beach Club, where we'll be staying or the Dolphin Club at the Dolphin, where we'll be eating. The Dolphin Club would be free since we're eating at Shula's but I've heard they move between several areas in the hotel so we'd be willing to pay the $45 or whatever if they would have a much better experience at the Beach Club.

Thanks for anything you have to offer!

 

[DisDadDoc]

Does anyone have any experiece to share about Disney Kids' Clubs & autism?

I have two boys (7 & 10) with Asperger's & High Functioning Autism.

We are considering the kids' club at the Beach Club, where we'll be staying or the Dolphin Club at the Dolphin, where we'll be eating. The Dolphin Club would be free since we're eating at Shula's but I've heard they move between several areas in the hotel so we'd be willing to pay the $45 or whatever if they would have a much better experience at the Beach Club.

Thanks for anything you have to offer!

We've used the Poly club & the Grand Floridian Club for our DS with Asperger's. They did well with him (no meltdowns, ate dinner, reportedly no problems with other kids). In fact, the CM seemed well trained with autistic-spectrum kids.

Don't have experience with those other clubs. Good luck to you!

 

[kaffinito]

I've used the one at BC and at Poly for youngest DS (ASD). I just told them when checking him in what his issues might be and they and he were just fine.

He loved the Kids Club, and wanted to go back multiple times. The staff at both places were great with him!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I know this post is from a few months ago but I have the same question! Does anyone else have more experience with the Kids Clubs and special needs, especially Aspergers (6 year old, rigid thinking, melts down alot, social skills need improvement etc.).

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

anyone?

 

[buckeev]

anyone?

X2...13 Y/O son...HF Autism...but still a hand full sometimes!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I know this post is from a few months ago but I have the same question! Does anyone else have more experience with the Kids Clubs and special needs, especially Aspergers (6 year old, rigid thinking, melts down alot, social skills need improvement etc.).

My DD has been to both the Neverland Club at the Poly and the Cubs' Den at the WL. She did fine at both clubs. The trip when she went to the Cubs' Den was before she was diagnosed. She went there for 2 evenings, between 3 and 4 hours each night. I didn't give them any special instructions because I still didn't really understand what was going on with DD. She had no problems either night.

The trip when she went to the Neverland Club was just this past August. I gave the CMs a brief overview of some of her bigger issues and how best to approach her. I purposely stayed away from mentioning her specific diagnosis. She did great. When I returned, one of the CMs told me they wanted to talk to me about DD. I got this horrible knot in my stomach thinking she'd misbehaved. Instead, she told me they had a group of kids that night that were misbehaving and in the midst of all that, my DD was a complete angel. The CM told me they had to talk to so many parents about the misbehaving children that they were glad they got to compliment a child for good behavior.

 

[tzeitel]

Maybe call the kids club directly and ask? I bet they get all kinds of kids and the CMs are trained for different needs

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

My DD has been to both the Neverland Club at the Poly and the Cubs' Den at the WL. She did fine at both clubs. The trip when she went to the Cubs' Den was before she was diagnosed. She went there for 2 evenings, between 3 and 4 hours each night. I didn't give them any special instructions because I still didn't really understand what was going on with DD. She had no problems either night.

The trip when she went to the Neverland Club was just this past August. I gave the CMs a brief overview of some of her bigger issues and how best to approach her. I purposely stayed away from mentioning her specific diagnosis. She did great. When I returned, one of the CMs told me they wanted to talk to me about DD. I got this horrible knot in my stomach thinking she'd misbehaved. Instead, she told me they had a group of kids that night that were misbehaving and in the midst of all that, my DD was a complete angel. The CM told me they had to talk to so many parents about the misbehaving children that they were glad they got to compliment a child for good behavior.

That is great she did so well

 

[CaliKT]

This thread is a year old, but I thought I'd add to it by saying that we took my sons to the Neverland Club in December 2011. At the time, they were 4 and 6, and the older one has Asperger's. We talked to the CM at the Neverland Club when we dropped him off. I don't believe we had the official AS at the time, but like a PP, we explained some of his issues. The CM was a retired school teacher and was very familiar with the issues. We sent our son with a book so he would have something to do if the activities did not interest him.

The kids both did fine. The younger one had a fantastic time, and the older one behaved well. He ended up not being terribly interested in the activities so he just sat in a quiet corner and read his book. The CMs did not bother him and let him do that, which was fine with me.

He ended up throwing up that night and was sick all the next day, so he was probably not feeling very well at the Neverland Club that whole night, which I'm sure affected his participation. But I'd have no hesitation about sending them back or using another kids club on our upcoming vacation.

 

[alli817]

I can't speak for DW specifically, but my dd who is 6 with autism - went to the kids club at Auani many times during our visit back in January.

On our first visit I asked right away about Autism, and the CM replied "We love ALL children at Disney"

The set up there is very open, you check the child in and they can move from room to room as they chose. My dd spent most of her time in the video/computer room and played Wii with a boy she met. But the whole set up was relaxed yet structured at the same time. There was no pressure to move from one area to the next, she was free to do what she wanted. Which I think eliminated the meltdowns.

They never had issues and they assured me they were well trained to deal with meltdowns and such - all of the CM held various degrees/diplomas in childcare.

At check in we filled our numerous forms and such. But they did not seem concerned about the autism one little bit. DD always seemed very happy when we picked her up.

We plan on using the kids clubs in WDW when we go in Feb 2013. I have full confidence that they can handle my daughter. In some cases better than I can. LOL