Son with Aspergers Syndrome

[wannabe]

We are DVC members from Maine and have booked our trip for 3/5/06 to 3/13/06 at BWV. Due to the finacial difficutlies because of the price of heating oil, we now are unable to purchase passes for the entire stay. We have found that we can afford passes for the first 4 days ( we had originally planned for the entire trip). This was our son's x-mas present and we have now tried to explain to him that it isn't possible and that it would probably be awhile before the next vacation. Once he is 18 he will go into assisted living and we don't want to disturbe his living arrangements. Anyone with Aspies people know what changes can mean to them.

Our question is: What are the other oppurtunities that are available other than minature golf ? We have been there several times before and it is becoming very difficult to explain that he can do all the things he used to do. He usually spends hours at Disney Quest and the water parks. He just learned to swim when he was 12 which was the same time he learned to ride a bike. We would appreciate any suggestions from parents with children with any types of disabilities. He is totally mobile but lacking in comminucation. For anyone wondering, Aspergers is from the Autistic spectrum.

 

[HayGan]

You might want to post this over on the DISabilities board. Some people over there might be able to help you. My DS is diagnosed as PDD-NOS but he is only 5 so I can't help you much on suggestions for other activities!

 

[mrsv98]

Try posting this on the DISabilities Board. There are loads of very kind and helpful people there who will ba able to help you out.

As for my suggestions, I would try DTD, there are lots of people watching activites and it is free. Can you spread out your park days? Go every other or every two days? Are you staying on property? Many of the resorts have free activities like arts and crafts and story tellling.

Hope you have a wonderful trip. I used to teach a little girl with Aspergers and while she was challenging, she was also a joy.

 

[geffric]

where are you staying? We play boats, buses, monrails.. Boat from OKW to Downtown Disney, and either walk back to OKW and enjoy the sites or boat to Port Orleans, bus to Epcot, Monorail to MK.. then monorail to resorts with a stop in each one to find the hidden Mickeys or swim or just explore..., boat to wilderness lodge, walk to wilderness camp grounds and sit on the rockers and enjoy the sites... .. just a lot of fun exploring...

 

[Tuffcookie]

wannabe,

I have a 13 year old DS with AS. Maybe find a movie at DTD to see. In the evening, take a trip over to FW and take part in the campfire program. It is fun at any age! Your son's AS must be severe for you to be donsidering assisted living at 18. I am lucky in that my DS's is mild. Hugs to you! I am spreading pixie dust your way that something will happen before you leave to allow for some extra park time!

TC

 

[dwbakerjr]

Wow... saw the 'Asp' word, and was startled. Our son works thru each day with help from meds and Dr Atwood, and you have my complete empathy.

As for ticket pricing, I dont know if you've checked park pricing lately, but after 4 days, the 'additional' days get reeeely cheeep. About 2-3 dollars per day. Check out the ticket pricing for hopper and non-hopper passes, and you might just do a few more days at the park. (Our boy's favorite new ride is Mission Space).

Hakuna Matata,

and good luck on the vacation...

 

[LJC1861]

Also, once your son enters an assisted living situation don't rule out a vacation entirely. Most Group Homes/Assisted Living facilities offer a certain amount of " therapeutic leave" days per year. These are used for time away from the facility for family visits, vacations or summer camp.

Linda

 

[In a hurry]

Adding days to basic passes is pretty cheap. You might want to look into it again.

 

[tar heel]

I'm sure you've already thought of this, but don't use your four park days all at the beginning of the trip -- spread them out. Do check on prices, though, b/c I don't believe additional days cost much once you get to five or so.

Could you bring a video game system from home? Can you still get movies for free when you're at a DVC resort? Would rides on the boat or monorail be a good thing or just frustrate him?

 

[Dina]

I was also going to say don't use them all at once-- I believe you have 14 days after the first use, so spread them out. My DS (5) has Aspergers, and he LOVES just hanging at the resort going to the pool, getting tattoed (the airbrushed ones hehe!), and he could spend hours and hours in the arcade (he calls it the cave)-- that's actually one of his favorite things at Disney. We could definitely spend 2 days just doing that (we have, actually). You could always do a character breakfast at a resort in the morning (if he likes character meals-- if not you could head over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge for breakfast at Boma (he could see the animals-- I know my son loves that). The only real problem we've ever encountered at Disney was Whispering Canyon Cafe(just too loud for him), if your son has Aspergers, I would stay clear of that (It is really really loud). Would he like renting water mice at the contemporary (my son loves boats)?? Have you tried Ticketmania for your tickets-- they're a little cheaper (I think its www.ticketmania.com)-- I think its only 10 dollars more for an extra day-- check it out.

 

[wannabe]

My son is on lots of meds which really help. If you are referring to Tony Atwood, I have read most of his books. We didn't have this diagnosis until he was 14. All the different docs who saw him just did't seem to be able to agree. He has been hospitalized several times with stays as long as 9 months and after the 9 months transferred to Lakeview Neurohab in N.H. for another 4 months. What a great place!! They did wonders with him and were able to find the right mix of meds. He also likes Mission Space! Must be the stimulation and the adrenaline rush.

I will check into the xtra days if they are that cheap. Thank you and best wishes.

 

[In a hurry]

If the day situation has you confused (don't you just love the new tickets...) check back in! I'm sure you'll find that they are pretty reasonable.

 

[Poohnatic]

I have a 9yo son with Asperger's. We moved to Florida 18 months ago, but prior to that we made twice a year trips.

The resort pool was our saving grace. We worked into a routine where we'd do two park days and then a hang out at the pool day.

Other things we did:
Spend several hours at Fort Wilderness. There's a petting zoo and pony rides. We had lunch at Trail's End (yum) and took a launch over to MK.

Explored the Polynesian Resort (our favorite). Rode the monorail.

Spend an afternoon on the Boardwalk. We did this before I knew about Beaches and Cream, and the kids loved the Main Street Bakery. You can rent a surrey and ride around.

Good luck on your trip.

Suzanne