special need kids - trip report (8-11)

[JackieB]

This is the trip report for parents with special need kids.

We just got back from the Disney Wonder 4 day cruise (8-11). We took our 9 year old son and our 10 year old daughter who has Asperger Syndrome (mild autism) and ADHD. We introduced her to the Oceanneers Club Sunday and let her get aquainted with the facility and counselors. She had a blast. The Counselors were extremely friendly and helpful. We decided to place her in the 8-9 year old group and that was a perfect fit. We left the both of them in the club Monday morning 9:30am while my Husband and I went in to Nassau. We got back to the ship at 1:00 and were beeped just as we boarded the ship. Laura told the counselors that she was ready to leave. By this time, she had played in the lab and had lunch with the group at Tritons. While she did not choose to participate in the arranged activites, she had a great time and the counselors let her do her thing as much as possible. The counselors were extremely wonderful and flexible. Our son had a great time too.

While we did not go back to the lab the remainder of the cruise I was able to observe the lab and staff at various times during the cruise. My overall impression was that they did a splendid job entertaining the kids and had lots of activities that took place all over the ship. The kids in the program looked like they were having a great time and the counselors never lost their cool.

 

[SweetSpot]

Thank you Jackie!! I was so concerned that my (AS, ADD) son would not be allowed to not participate in activities and just spend time on his own in the club. He is very high functioning and is really looking forward to the clubs and I think he would do well with flexible counselors but so often clubs and camps are rigid. It is a blessing to know that that doesn't seem to be the case onboard. It is also good to know that kids are able to go down a level because I would love to do this again next year and we were concerned that he will be 13 at the time and would do horribly in a teen club.

Did you tell the counselors your daughters diagnosis? Since he is so high functioning I don't know if I should tell them before-hand or wait to see if it becomes an issue. His brother will be in the same club with him and I know he will watch out for him.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful vacation!! Thank you so much for posting so quickly.

 

[din]

sweetspot: I would suggest mentioning it to them. When we checked in our kids, they seem through by asking specific questions on needs, diets etc.... Hope this helps

 

[JackieB]

We did tell the counselors all about Laura so that there were no surprises. She also took a small toy with her to play with so that she had something to do when they were doing other activities besides being in the lab. There were several moves to different areas to do other things and she had to go with them but she did not get forced to participate. She just played quietly near the group. I do wish that she could have just stayed in the lab but this was not an option when they took the groups elsewhere on the ship.