Mild Autism on a Disney Cruise

[mommyceratops]

Hi! I kind of lurk on this board and post on the others.

We are thinking about taking my DS7 on a cruise next year. He is mildly autistic. He does well traveling to WDW and wants to do the cruise.

Anyone done a cruise with an autistic child? I wonder about the child care? He wants to do this and some of the excursions, swim with dolphins and see some sights.

Just wanting other advise?

Thanks in advance!! I appreciate it!

Kim

 

[bopper]

I think if you talk about what situations he generally has problems with you may get a better response.

 

[mommyceratops]

I think if you talk about what situations he generally has problems with you may get a better response.

Thanks.

He has just been diagnosed, he is 7 years old and it does feel good to have a diagnosis. So I am absorbing all this information in my head and adjusting. Sorry if I sound dumb......

He does not like situations he can not understand, but he does not mind new things. He just needs to know what to expect ahead of time. So if I can tell him what to expect he is ok.

We have watched the DVD and he likes that. But asks me if the boat is loud. He is bothered by loud noises.

I guess in my mind I worry about getting on the boat and him just freaking out but I don't see that happening either. A mother's mind

so bottom line I don't know what I am asking. Maybe there are things I need to consider but I have not thought of yet. Or maybe there is nothing I need to consider?

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

 

[dclfun]

I would think you could help to prepare him by making a social story book about what he can expect once onboard. You can fill out a medical information form for DCL and on it, ask the special services coordinator to give you a call to discuss your concerns or you can call DCL and ask to speak with the SS coordinator. There would be also be things to prepare your son for that he might not understand, like the lifeboat drill ( and the crew can help him by allowing you to wait near the exit and leave before the other guests ), the ship's horn, the rather loud deck party and fireworks, the movement of the ship. DCL works really well with special needs children to include them in the children's programming area whenever possible and you'll have a daily schedule of activities that you can show him to include what he'll be doing each hour. It sounds like he would do well just by knowing what to expect.---Kathy

 

[mommyceratops]

I would think you could help to prepare him by making a social story book about what he can expect once onboard. You can fill out a medical information form for DCL and on it, ask the special services coordinator to give you a call to discuss your concerns or you can call DCL and ask to speak with the SS coordinator. There would be also be things to prepare your son for that he might not understand, like the lifeboat drill ( and the crew can help him by allowing you to wait near the exit and leave before the other guests ), the ship's horn, the rather loud deck party and fireworks, the movement of the ship. DCL works really well with special needs children to include them in the children's programming area whenever possible and you'll have a daily schedule of activities that you can show him to include what he'll be doing each hour. It sounds like he would do well just by knowing what to expect.---Kathy

Thanks you so much! I guess that was what I needed to know is if they even had a special service. Now I know what to ask for.

Thanks for the ideas, anyone else have anything to add I might not know about?



Thanks!

 

[lademps]

Kim - Hi - so glad that you did this post.
We are in a very similar situation with my DS5 (6 next month). We are crusing in November/3 nts. When is your cruise?
Social Stories usually work well, and you might want to go on disney cruise site and request the DVD. My son is the same way - very excited, but then we could get on board and he may be scared to participate in any activities. Social interaction is so difficult and loud noises.....we just never know which ones will completely set him into overload.
We always have to go over "what's next" or let him know what to expect.
I would be happy to share any tips on our experience with you when we return. Do you have email address I can send directly too?
Hang in there. You're doing the right thing by posting your concerns. This site is filled with great ideas and stories that others are willing to share.
Take care,
Ann

 

[kaykels]

If your son does well at the parks, he will have an even better and easier time on the ship. I've taken 4 cruises and my son is not very social at all. He isn't a fan of the kids clubs. We tried, and when his cousin was in there he would reluctantly stay. I can't say the counselors were GOOD with him. He did his own thing by himself, but he was watched and safe and secure. They show movies at night and there are computer labs and stacking cups and games that work well for kids with social anxieties.
The ship is not loud.
Some of the screaming kids in the Mickey pool can get loud though. Your son won't stand out, that's for sure!
The staff is beyond INCREDIBLE and they will bend over backwards for you in every way shape and form. It's 10000 times better than any customer service in the parks. They are absolutely amazing. Go and enjoy yourself.
Castaway Cay is paradise. He'll love it.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Hi!
We have 2 sons 5 and 8 years old who are high functioning autistic. We were on the 4 night Wonder cruise on Memorial weekend this year. The boys had a great time! Here are my suggestions.

1.Don't expect pre-boarding for the ship. I called ahead and even submitted the medical form requesting pre-boarding. I was told "no problem". Only, when we got to the ship, we were told no to pre-boarding.

2. If you are flying in, be sure to fly in the night before. If it is a long flight, you might want to stay at the Hyatt right in the airport. After a 5 hour flight, it was convenient for us to just walk off the plane and into the hotel.

3. Here's another tip. Do not use the DCL bus to get from the airport to the port. Either rent a car or hire a towncar service. We had to wait in line to board the DCL bus from the airport and it was melt-down city.

4. Be sure to pack anything that your son finds comforting. My eldest has a rope collection that he must always have. We were sure to pack that, as well as my youngest ds's favorite toy.

5. Try the kids club. Our kids LOVED it there. The staff were fantastic with our sons. They were very informed on autism and made us feel very comfortable leaving our sons. Our only regret was that we only left them once on our last night. We should have left them there more often. They had a great time.

6. For some quality parent time, book the exotic rasul. Enough said there.

7. Be ready to leave the theater if you son has problems with loud noises. The theater is loud. My youngest son could not handle the theater. But my 8 year old loved it.

All in all, I would say that DCL is a fantastic choise for families traveling with an autistic child. Disney did a great job. My only complaint is boarding the ship. That was a nightmare. Our sons could not handle standing in line to board the ship. Even though they handed out boarding numbers, there is still a long line to get in. Maybe you can ask to board the ship last?

Have a great cruise!