New here with questions

[bradleysnana]

My 5 year old grandson has been to Disney twice before and both times were difficult to say the least. We went because his older brother LOVES Disney. My 5 year old Grandson has recently been diagnosed with asperger and bi-polar and will begin medication on Thursday. Both kids are saying they REALLY want to go back to Disney so: I have booked 3 days on site at Universal to give us fastpass access and I have booked 4 days at the Boardwalk. The 5 year old does not handle crowds, heat, standing in line, or characters well at all. He loves the parades, shows, and he loves most of the rides. I have saved the link concerning disabilities and I am going to read it. Does anyone else have any suggestions? For instance, how good are the CMs if I need to take him to a quiet place? We are taking a stroller since it will be easier to put him in the stroller if I need to remove him quickly from a situation. Any other thoughts? Should I take a note from the doctor? Do I just go to Guest Services to request the pass? What if I get into a line and he has a total meltdown? Anyone dealt with this before? I am concerned with the ability to leave with him. Maybe I am worrying about things that will never happen. We have just had a very stressful last 3 months and I want this trip to not be a total disaster. We are taking breaks each day and going back to the room. He is terrified of swimming but he loves to walk around the Boardwalk especially at night.
Thanks for all suggestions. I greatly appreciate them. By the way-characters and character meals are totally out so any help with being sure characters avoid him like the plaque and only talk to his brother would be helpful too. Wow writing this makes me wonder why I am taking him but other than the characters and the crowds, he loves the Disney atmosphere.
Becky

 

[s&k'smom]

Oh good timeing there is another thread on this board with just the same type of questions it's called going to wdw with autistic son. I'm not sure how to link thread to thread but it's there. Don't worry you'll get there.

 

[Earstou]

My son is 10 (today!!!) and I've been preparing him for our May visit. I bring things up about being nice to the characters if they come up to him (last summer he was kicking dirt on a clown in Phoenix-arrgh).
I talk about how he could possibly be asked to do something (like pull the sword from the stone in Fantasyland) and how he POLITELY declines if he doesn't want to do it.
We've found that talking about what might happen beforehand and how he can handle it in a good way, really helps. I know we couldn't talk during a meltdown, so the key is to try to figure out what might cause a meltdown and handle it ahead of time.
Of course, we can't always predict what will trigger these kids, as the clown incident surprised me. For us, as the years go by, there are fewer meltdowns and better behavior. Hopefully the medicine will be helpful, too!
My son hated water the first 4-5 years, too. We found out his balance was under developed, and I think being in water was too uncomfortable. It was great if we had a pool with a sandy area because he would play in the sand while we swam.
Wow, you are a wonderful grandma, taking your grandkids to DW and trying to make it a great trip!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to the other thread about touring with a child who is autistic.
The link that the OP mentioned is in that thread.

A few suggestions I have:
-request a Guest Assitance Card (GAC) that would allow you to use a stroller as a wheelchair. That would allow you to bring it into lines with you where strollers are not allowed. I have read some posts where people found that to be very helpful - it keeps other people out of your child's personal space and gives him a safe place that he can bring with him into line. {Plus, you can roll him away more quickly if he does have a meltdown).
- if you want to avoid characters. It helps to know where they are expected to be. You can (or at least you used to be able to) get a daily list from Guest Services that told where and when the characters would be. Most people use the lists to find the characters, but it would be just as useful for avoiding them - or at least you will have the ability to know when and where the characters may show up and prepare him.
We've found that the characters are very good about approaching slowly and patiently when they know there are special needs. A lot of small kids (even ones without autism) are hesitant around the characters (not all kids behave like in the commercials). Each character will be accompanied by a CM "handler" who sort of keeps order, keeps time, etc. Most of the time, the CM tries to keep a line, so there is an orderly way for each child to see the character. If the one child wants to see the character, you can either just have that child get into the line or practice polite refusal like Earstou suggested for when you get to the front of the line. I've seen lots of kids who get to the front and then don't want to go to the character. If he wants to go, tell the CM that the child has some special needs; nothing in great detail is needed. You don't even have to tell them he is autistic, at 5 "he's very shy" might work almost as well.

 

[bradleysnana]

Thank you for the responses. I feel better just knowing about the GAC. I do not know if we will need it but the comfort of having it will help. As for the characters, one of my grandchildren think the characters are the main reason to go so Grandpa will take him and go on a search for the characters. Alex and I will steer clear. Alex has never cared for the characters and as he has gotten older, he has gotten much worse. He told the doctor yesterday that under the Mickey costume was a monster that would get him if he came near. So Alex and I will stay far away from the characters. Character meals are totally out of the question. Even without characters, I think we will have an awesome trip. This will be our first trip to Universal and Seaworld too. I think Seaworld will be the hit of Alex's trip. He loves Animal Kingdom.

 

[Poohnatic]

The stroller is the best thing that you can do. When Aspies are tired, boy, they have meltdowns at the drop of a hat.

I rent the strollers at WDW, because the seats are surrounded on three sides. It really cuts down on the overstimulation. If you're bringing your own, perhaps bring a towel or something to drape over the stroller, to cut out all that excess stimuli.

I'd also suggest, believe it or not, a baseball hat. My 6yo saw a space mountain one he HAD to have, and it's done wonders. This is the kid that would never wear one before because of the sensation.

The GAC is a lifesaver. It really helps, especially at MK. The experience at MK for our family is that you have so much in a smaller park that there's enough activity to keep the temper in check. The Guest Service CM's have been great when you tell them why you're requesting it.

I've got two water lovers, so I can't give you too much feedback on that area. One afternoon, we were waiting for a friend to meet up with us, and we spent an afternoon over at Fort Wilderness. We checked out the petting zoo, took pony rides, watched the boats and played on the playground. This was before the diagnosis of Asperger's, and it was the best day of that trip.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Suzanne

 

[dizneluver9]

Hey everybody!!!

Just wanted to let you know that I live about five minutes from Disney and if anybody needs a local person to help with anything I would be more than willing to give you my phone number...all you gotta do is email me at one of the email addresses below and its all yours.

Alittle about me...I am getting my masters in Occupational Therapy and grew up loving anything and everything Disney . I currently teach at preschool on property...so know my way around pretty well.

Again if you want my number in case of an emergency while you are here or for anything else please let me know by emailing one of my addresses found below.

TTFN