Party member with autism- what can we expect?

[Megsmachine]

We have gone to Disney for years well over 20 times. This time my 3 year old (grand) niece is coming and she is non verbal and autistic. how does Disney help families with an autistic child? I have no information on this and am wondering how to start looking for info. Someone mentioned that Disney lets parties with an autistic member go first in line but I am pretty sure that was done away with years ago and they manage those things differently now. I just need help accessing more info. Thanks so much!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Your thread has been moved to the disABILITIES! board. I would recommend reading more recent posts with similar questions as Disney recently changed their policies.

Also, a moderator may merge your question with an existing thread as there are some very active threads here that have a lot of valuable information already in them.

 

[lanejudy]

Other than Make-A-Wish, there is no accommodation to "go first in line." What is available really depends on the child's needs. WDW disability accommodations are need-based rather than diagnosis-based, so the child's parent(s) will have to decide how to explain her needs related to waiting in a typical queue environment if interested in obtaining accommodations.

I suggest you check out the new DAS sticky at the top of this page. The program was recently revamped as to who qualifies and is not as easy to obtain. Also check out the WDW website section for Guests with Disabilities. Be aware that if granted, DAS might be restricted to the child's immediate family; you don't mention the size of your group but the DAS likely would not be extended to include great-aunt/great-uncle unless you are the only adults.

Stroller-as-wheelchair may be very helpful to block out stimulation. A stroller with a good hood, or a light blanket draped over the hood, creates a bit of a refuge from the outside world. This might be all that's needed, maybe with Attraction Queue Return.

 

[danikoski]

We have went to WDW multiple times with a person that is autistic. We never did DAS because they didn't want to. We could have, but they did not want to answer questions about being autistic. We respected that. Instead, we used either fast pass or lightening lane for rides, and that worked fine. We knew they couldn't wait in line for more than about 30 minutes, so we didn't go on rides that were longer. Sensory overload is real, so we tried to be very cognizant of that and provide head phones/ear plugs, sunglasses, hat, and we would find quiet space frequently. The first aid areas are air conditioned and nice. Be prepared for needing to take frequent breaks.

We also used electronics like a Kindle and a phone because these were familiar items for the person in an unfamiliar environment. It provided a sensory release and also allowed for us to have a few sit down meals.

Be aware of food sensory issues. Our travel companion lived on chicken tenders, French fries, apple sauce packs, ice cream, and Nutella sandwiches we made in the room. I always carried safe snacks for them. A lot of the Disney restaurants would work with us to find food they would eat or accommodate food requests. It's not a guarantee, but we found they tried.

Also, encourage eating of snacks and drinking. We brought Powerade into the parks with us...it's also at a lot of the drink stations. Autistic kids don't always notice they are hungry or thirsty until it leads to regulation issues, especially in a theme park where they may be overstimulated.

Every autistic kid is different, but these are a few things that worked for our group.

 

[danikoski]

Another item I wanted to add...the person who went with us was okay with fireworks, but got overstimulated by crowds. So to view fireworks we did a few different things on a few different trips. On one trip we did a fireworks boat cruise for the Epcot fireworks. This was super great because they had snack foods and drinks that were safe items for the person and it was just our group on the boat. Everyone could just relax. Another year, we did the fireworks dessert party at Magic Kingdom. We did the one with seats because it once again allowed for some extra personal space. Our travel companion loves chocolate chip cookies, and those were on the dessert buffet. There were also drinks they found safe. Another trip we watched the fireworks from the boat dock at Wilderness Lodge while eating dinner from Geyser Point. That worked out great too.

 

[ClaraOswald]

My child is autistic and there have been some great suggestions here. But like others said, all autistic kids/adults are quite different and will have different needs and limitations. So without knowing anything about the child, there's no way to know what could help on a WDW trip.

There is the possibility of qualifying for DAS, but only immediate family would be able to use that.

 

[Grim Grinning Ghostie]

1. I recommend applying for DAS if you believe waiting in lines will be an issue for your family member. There is a thread stickied that goes over that process extensively. Be prepared for a denial, however: approvals are needs-based rather than diagnosis-based and, though the DAS is meant for people with disabilities like Autism, not everyone with Autism (or similar) will qualify.

2. Prepare for sensory overload. It is unavoidable at Disney. Hats, sunglasses, noise-cancelling / noise-tempering headphones, and a phone/tablet loaded up with your grandniece's favourite shows/movies/videos/games will help them to avoid overstimulation and meltdown. Avoid fireworks, parades, and shows if they are particularly sensitive to crowds, noise, and lights.

3. Pack plenty of snacks and water. Review the menus for each restaurant religiously to ensure your chosen breakfast/lunch/dinner venues have her safe foods available.

4. Be patient. Everyone at Disney is there for their own vacations, and some aren't as cognizant of others as they could be. They may jostle you and your little one's stroller, may engage in loud/crowding behaviours that trigger a meltdown, or may otherwise express disapproval if your grandniece exhibits any symptoms of her diagnosis. It is an unfortunately reality, but people do occasionally judge. Try not to let it get to you if it does happen.

5. Have fun!! I am Autistic as well and have been using the DAS for my trips to Disney for a long while now. There are quiet areas and ways that our sensitivities and needs can be accommodated. Ask a cast member in a blue tent for the quiet zones in the park(s) you are visiting that day: they would be happy to point them out for you on a map.

Special Note:
If you are in Magic Kingdom and realize you forgot noise protection / noise cancelling headphones, they do sell them in the Baby Care Center on Main Street. They were about $25 last time I purchased them.

 

[Bete]

Keep in mind that a three year old will not tolerate being in a park for 12 hours. There may have to be a compromise with more rest time at the resort. Also, they may be frightened by the characters or they could love them. Doing shows may work better; you can always leave if need be. I would stay clear of sit down table service restaurants; it takes too long. Quick service will be easier. Start with tame rides like It's a Small World.

If you are not totally responsible for the neice and the parent(s) are along you may want to split your day and go off on your own for part of the day. Also, the parent(s) in question may have to take turns with the rides. One parent sits out a ride with the child and the other goes on the ride and then you trade off; so. everyone gets a turn. If there is one parent along then you may have to help, as well.

Maybe, try some local activities like a zoo or children's museum with the child to see how that goes. Disney World is intense; so, I would definitely get the child use to crowds and so forth first. You may need to adjust your time at the parks with the child's sleeping schedule. They may be use to sleeping all morning; so, you may be better off getting to the parks later in the day.

There is a learning curve, here.

 

[Genie+]

For planning purposes it helps to know that when DAS is granted for a guest, it can only be used when that guest is partaking in the attraction. Sometimes that gets lost in the translation of ‘DAS party’. I can understand that because it is reasonable to think getting in and out of Space Mountain quicker could help the party better attend the needs of person being granted DAS, but the intention is more focused specifically with the individual and their experience on lines.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

If a DAS pass can be obtained and crowds are difficult for her, I would plan to arrive around 30-45 minutes after park opening. There can be a lot of congestion right at rope drop and there are no DAS accommodations at gate entry. There are also several quiet areas in the parks to go to. We have found just riding transportation like the Skyliner, Monorail, or boats can be a welcome break.

 

[Madteaparty001]

The first time we took DD to Disney World she had just turned 3 and hadn't been diagnosed yet. It was rough, I talk about it here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/stroller-for-7-year-old-w-autism-yay-or-nay.3935927/post-65225702

and here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/s...can-it-improve-with-age.3901786/post-64473348

tips I gave another poster:
-Large disability stroller with full pull down shade tagged as a wheelchair so we could take it in lines with us
-Stroller accessories: fan, rain cover, cup holder, etc.
-slip on tennis shoes so they can be easily removed when sitting in stroller
-phone or similar device with downloaded youtube videos, movies, books, and music (with backup battery for charging)
-headphones that can double as noise canceling and connecting to previously mentioned device
-sunglasses, baseball cap, and lightweight spray on sunscreen
-several packed snack options and a spreadsheet for acceptable food locations (DD has food aversions)
-change of clothes in case something becomes dirty/wet/uncomfortable
-let the kids each pick a certain number of rides and space them out throughout the day to pace their preferred/nonpreferred activities, keep them informed of the plan for the day so they can be prepared and less anxious about what to expect (we also found DD was more flexible when plans had to change if she was kept in the loop and allowed to help make new plans)
-late start to avoid the rope drop crowd and packed buses (during spring break this looked like us arriving in the parks between 9:30-10:30)
-break around 1-4 for lunch/nap/afternoon swim and come back for or after dinner if up for it
-leave either before fireworks or an hour after it ends if possible to avoid crowds
-have a no park day or 1/2 park day every third day (we also book fireworks dessert party specifically for the non-crowded viewing space)
-keep as much of your at home routines as possible (for example is there a specific show/book/song they do at bedtime?)
-We used to use Fastpass like crazy before they got rid of it and now we use DAS

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

The first time we took DD to Disney World she had just turned 3 and hadn't been diagnosed yet. It was rough, I talk about it here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/stroller-for-7-year-old-w-autism-yay-or-nay.3935927/post-65225702

and here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/s...can-it-improve-with-age.3901786/post-64473348

tips I gave another poster:
-Large disability stroller with full pull down shade tagged as a wheelchair so we could take it in lines with us
-Stroller accessories: fan, rain cover, cup holder, etc.
-slip on tennis shoes so they can be easily removed when sitting in stroller
-phone or similar device with downloaded youtube videos, movies, books, and music (with backup battery for charging)
-headphones that can double as noise canceling and connecting to previously mentioned device
-sunglasses, baseball cap, and lightweight spray on sunscreen
-several packed snack options and a spreadsheet for acceptable food locations (DD has food aversions)
-change of clothes in case something becomes dirty/wet/uncomfortable
-let the kids each pick a certain number of rides and space them out throughout the day to pace their preferred/nonpreferred activities, keep them informed of the plan for the day so they can be prepared and less anxious about what to expect (we also found DD was more flexible when plans had to change if she was kept in the loop and allowed to help make new plans)
-late start to avoid the rope drop crowd and packed buses (during spring break this looked like us arriving in the parks between 9:30-10:30)
-break around 1-4 for lunch/nap/afternoon swim and come back for or after dinner if up for it
-leave either before fireworks or an hour after it ends if possible to avoid crowds
-have a no park day or 1/2 park day every third day (we also book fireworks dessert party specifically for the non-crowded viewing space)
-keep as much of your at home routines as possible (for example is there a specific show/book/song they do at bedtime?)
-We used to use Fastpass like crazy before they got rid of it and now we use DAS

These suggestions are good for a lot of preschoolers.

The best advice I give anyone is to take Disney at your own pace. It will be there again tomorrow, or next month, or next year, or years from now. So if the kiddo just wants to meet princesses, or play in the maze, or blow bubbles in the pool it might not be the vacation you envisioned but it’s going to be a much happier vacation than dragging a cranky kid around.

 

[disneymum58]

Even if your child qualifies for DAS, remember that there may be rides she is not tall enough for. You will not be able to use the DAS for those rides as one of the rules is that the person who qualified for the DAS must ride,