Question for those with Autistic child

[Sunbeamblue2002]

When making dinning ADR do you have it noted that someone in your party has Autisim or do you just leave for a while if a problem arises. Thanks in advance.

 

[3Leafs]

We just get up and leave. I have yet to have wait staff at DW not be totally understanding. It's so hard to predict meltdowns from my son so we just wing it and hope for the best.

 

[bookwormde]

We give the CMs a heads up so if we have to make some "adjustments" they know what is going on and they are always wonderful.

bookwormde

 

[GoofTroop]

I've never added any special note when making ADR's, however, if we feel the need to say something once getting to the restaurant, we do. Most times, it seems the CMs are in tune with special needs before we ever say anything....So, many times, we just say nothing at all.

Elizabeth

 

[poohnpigletCA]

I did not make any notes on or ADR. However, I did have a great CM when I made or ADR's and she let me know a quite area in each park. So at least I knew I had a quite place to exit to if I needed. We kept or ADR's to non-traditional eating times and it worked out great.

 

[Emagine]

The only time I have is at Whispering Canyon years ago I asked for nothing to be directed to my son as he would take it as a direct hit and not funny.

I have seen on here where some who are sensitive to space and touching have it noted so the Characters know not to hug on the child at meals.

 

[minkydog]

My son is very low functioning and it's obvious. We don't have to say anything. We have always made it a practice to take him outside if he is getting too restless. I know that the other diners or concert goers or church attenders did not go there to have to be subjected to my guy acting up. It's my job to recognise when he's had enough and get him outta there.

Usually, we will order our food, then one of us takes Christian for a walk. When the food comes whoever is at the table makes a quick call to the one walking. Christian does pretty well once he has food in front of him. However, he can only sit still about 20 minutes and the meal is over. Obviously, the rest of us are not ready to leave then so we switch it up--whoever did the walking the last time gets to stay at the table and the other one gets up and walks out with Christian. Not ideal, but it works for us.

And of course, when we go to Whispering Canyon we ask to be seated far away from the excitement. Christian can't take much eye contact or carrying on, although he likes to be in the room with all the stimulation. Nothing gets in the way of his eating.

 

[Bugsmom73]

We never have. We are doing Primetime Cafe though and we will inform the server about DS.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I know as far as our son Joshua is concerned, he is non verbal, we just 'if possible' want to do what everyone else does.
Whether it be waiting in line for an attraction, dining out or anything really.

The answer depends on your child , for us we would want to bring it to their attention as we may want to be seated in a quieter area.

 

[blondietink]

We have never told the wait staff or hostess about our son's Classic Autism. I think it is fairly obvious when he walks in with his hearing protectors on, flicking his pencil in the air with a toy car in his hand, echolalic seech and sometimes spinning in circles. Some things need no explaination. At least 90% of the time either the wait staff or other diners come over to our table and talk about DS's disability, how we deal with it, they have a nephew with Autism, the wife is a special ed teacher, etc. We always have had offers of help if necessary such as "we will watch him if you want to get something else to eat", too. People are very understanding at WDW in general and want to help we have found. Just relating our experiences in the last 10 years of trips.

 

[lorac4disney]

I don't tell the wait staff anywhere we go. When my daughter was very young, I felt the need to explain it to them, but discovered that very few people in our area were familiar with autism and therefore treated her differently. Sometimes it was something small such as totally ignoring her. Sometimes they would treat her as if she had the plague. Whenever I wouldn't say anything, they would usually at least try to talk to her and ask her what she wants. If she recoiled, I explained that she was shy which made them be gentler and try just a little harder to befriend her.

 

[bookwormde]

That is one of the great things about WDW, the CMs are reasonably knowledgeable about all disabilities, so when you give them a heads up the vast majority "get it"

bookwormde

 

[lorac4disney]

You are so right about the CM's at WDW. I guess that is why we love it there so much. There was really no need to tell them there that she was autistic. They simply knew.

Edited to add:

To the OP, if there was a specific request that you had related to the autism such as needing a table away from any speakers or needing a table in a quieter area, I would not hesitate to tell them.

 

[DisneyMama409]

PTC can be a nono for autistic children. I know the waiter was just having fun with us but my dd got scared when he kept telling her about arms on the table and sit up straight etc.

 

[aduck126]

PTC can be a nono for autistic children. I know the waiter was just having fun with us but my dd got scared when he kept telling her about arms on the table and sit up straight etc.

That's the whole point of primetime cafe, they poke fun at you. Christ, my husband had to stand up and hold a napkin against the wall with his nose for not eating a pickle and then lying that he was allergic, I told our waiter he wasn't so he got the extra embarassing treatment. If you are extra sensitive or have problems with that kind of treatment this is not the place to go

 

[Sunbeamblue2002]

Thank you all. My main concern was that wait staff often ask my DD7 what she wants to drink etc right when I'm dealing with another child and I didn't want to get anyone testty because when it comes to my kids and people treating them in an "unfair" mannor mom has anger issues and then no one is happy. But I belive that my concerns have been eased. Hope everyone has a great trip.

 

[aduck126]

how is the waiter taking your daughters drink order unfair?

 

[wtccheermom]

how is the waiter taking your daughters drink order unfair?

I am sure that is not what she meant at least I hope not.

 

[debbi801]

I think you are doing your child a dis-service by maving it marked on the reservation. We've done WDW twice with my youngest (who happens to have Autism) and we're planning to go back next summer. We've never done the GAC, and we expect him to behave appropriately. That said, we do avoid certain restaurants that we know would be difficult for him (like Sci Fi, Prime Time Cafe, etc). But, the world is not going to coddle him as he gets older, he needs to learn how to behave in an acceptable way now. When he's having difficulties or getting overwhelmed either DH or I take him out of the environment and back to the hotel, for a walk, etc.

It's hard some times, but if I coddle him now and require everyone else to coddle him too, what happens when he becomes an adult?

 

[wtccheermom]

I think you are doing your child a dis-service by maving it marked on the reservation. We've done WDW twice with my youngest (who happens to have Autism) and we're planning to go back next summer. We've never done the GAC, and we expect him to behave appropriately. That said, we do avoid certain restaurants that we know would be difficult for him (like Sci Fi, Prime Time Cafe, etc). But, the world is not going to coddle him as he gets older, he needs to learn how to behave in an acceptable way now. When he's having difficulties or getting overwhelmed either DH or I take him out of the environment and back to the hotel, for a walk, etc.

It's hard some times, but if I coddle him now and require everyone else to coddle him too, what happens when he becomes an adult?

Wonderful response!!!! As a special education teacher I see parents of Autistic children try and shelter them and really in the long run it does not help the child. Their goal should be to foster as much independence as possible so that they can manage to do many many things on their own as they get older especially children who are considered high functioning. I am well aware that modifications are needed but to have a restaurant mark it on your reservation is completely over the top .