OT: a paper Chandler brought home from school

[3kidsmommy]

As many of you know, my 7 yo ds, Chandler, has autism and mental retardation. In resource yesterday he was doing his writing. He does this in a journal, which he dictates to the teacher and then she writes for him in highlighter. He traces over the letters in pencil. His special ed teacher knows we are going to WDW over spring break, but none of my kids do. It is a surprise trip! Well, she had to send home his journal entry...it says, "I really want to go to Disney World with my family. I want to ride the rides. I don't want to see the people dressed up in the costumes.I want to ride the rides." UMMM...first, do you think he WANTS to ride the rides??? He is going to be sooo excited when he realizes we are going. Chandler really has had a tough few months, so I look forward to seeing him have a wonderful time and living a dream. He does not have any memory of Disney. He was 3 the last time we were able to go.

 

[Selket]

He is going to have an awesome time! Here's wishing you a whole bunch of for your trip!

 

[Hannathy]

I think you better ride the rides! That is really cute. At least you can save time waiting in character lines. Have a great trip.

 

[Apothecary]

RIDE THOSE RIDES!!

We've never done the "surprise trip" for our 8 yo twin DSs both of whom have autism. We love planning the trips with them...they get soooo excited. We are contemplating a Christmas/New Years trip this year and not telling them, but we'll see...we'll probably cave

Have an awesome trip!

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Hope you have great weather and a wonderful trip. He knows what he wants!

 

[tarkus]

Awsome. Ride'm cowboys .
Have a wonderful trip.

Regards,
Alan

 

[3kidsmommy]

RIDE THOSE RIDES!!

We've never done the "surprise trip" for our 8 yo twin DSs both of whom have autism. We love planning the trips with them...they get soooo excited. We are contemplating a Christmas/New Years trip this year and not telling them, but we'll see...we'll probably cave

Have an awesome trip!

The reason we are doing this one as a surprise is because Chandler has no concept of time. If we told him we were going in 2 weeks, he would htink it meant tomorrow. We have tried EVERYTHING to get him to understand including countdown calendars. No luck. He still messes up day and night, what day it is, what tomorrow is, etc. So--it makes it easier on me to tell him the day of for something really fun! Now, for things he won't like, I always tell him about it days in advance, but he still doesn't get the when...Good luck trying to pull of a surprise trip. It is not easy, but my dh and I have had fun doing it!

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

We have done Disney the last 2 years in a row with our autistic DS6 and SID DS3. I cannot begin to tell you of the huge advances they made while down there. They love it so much that after we buy our house this year we are buying into the DVC!. Have a wonderful time!

 

[Apothecary]

We have done Disney the last 2 years in a row with our autistic DS6 and SID DS3. I cannot begin to tell you of the huge advances they made while down there. They love it so much that after we buy our house this year we are buying into the DVC!. Have a wonderful time!

We have found the same thing....you worry and worry that it'll be too much for them and BAM! they surprise the heck out of you. Our guys just seem to mature while there, and others have related similar experiences here.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

LOL!


Ride those rides, and don't make him stop for the characters!
Have a great time!

 

[SueM in MN]

I think he will have a great time.
Many people have posted about the gains their children made at WDW. All the stimulation really seems to make some of them talk.

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

Our DS6 Payton went from using single words to combining them on his first trip. He combined Mickey and now.."Mickey Now!!" (also being afraid of the characters, he started pulling me to them and shaking their hands and even a hug!) On the second trip, he went from being very sensitive to loud sounds to not noticing them while on loud rides. Also, very afraid of water by the end of our vacation he was swimming across the pool (he still had lifevest on) and we couldn't get him out!

The best advice I can give is let Chandler lead you, he will let you know what he thinks he can do, and don't be afraid to try something that at home might be a trigger for him. He may surprise you!!!

Please post a trip report when you get back!!

 

[3kidsmommy]

Oh, I will post a trip report all right...as a matter of fact, I am planning/hoping to give a report each night.lol...we shall see! We are down to 13 days until we leave and I can't wait!!! And Chandler still keeps wanting to go to Disney world. Will keep you all posted.