Speech Impaired Child Talking to Characters

[orourkjr]

My 4 year old boy stutters when he is excited and is difficult to understand. He gets embarrassed and starts to cry when the person listening to him appears impatient or interrupts him. He really wants to talk to characters on our next trip to WDW (in December this year). He especially wants to talk to Gaston and ask him to please leave the Beast alone. When I have met Gaston in the past with my teenagers, he was very into character and did not speak to women (I am a woman!). Will it be an issue for Gaston (and other characters) to have me translate what my 4 year old? Is there a way to give the characters a heads up regarding my boy's speech? I am really worried about this.

This is my first post and I did a keyword search for "speech". I hope I am posting in the corret spot and not repeating a topic that has been beat to death in the past.

Thanks.

 

[SueM in MN]

First of all, don't worry. Even kids without the challenges your son has get excited and some are afraid to talk once they are in front of the character.
Most of the characters are very good at 'reading' body language and how comfortable a particular child is with the experience.
There won't be an issue with you translating; you could also ask to just have yes and no questions, so your son doesn't need to speak to reply.

Each character has a handler - I would suggest you talk to the handler for each character to clue them in.
The other characters are going to be patient - Gaston's personality is not very patient though.

I've got some suggestions for Gaston though...

Are there words or phrases that are seldom a problem for your son?
If so, I would work on almost a script with him (there are actors who stutter in 'real life', but not while they are acting).

You could help him to make something that would limit the amount of words he needs to use to deliver his message.
Like a small sign or card with a picture of Gaston on the outside and the inside saying to leave Beast alone.
Or a 'pledge' for Gaston to sign that says he will leave Beast alone.
That could make for some funny interactions.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Is there a way to give the characters a heads up regarding my boy's speech? I

.
1) This is not such an isolated case.
2) Speak with the Handler.
3) Additionally, we have seen parents point to their own mouth and shake their head, "no".
4) The characters understand, and will do as much non-verbal as possible.

 

[JennyDrake]

Remember too that characters are VERY used to kids who don't speak ANY English!

 

[minkydog]

I've not had experience with Gaston, but I am continually impressed with the level of compassion demonstrated by the characters. My son Christian is severely mentally disabled and non-verbal, but he has had some memorable interactions, and yes, even "conversations" with various face characters.

 

[redberyl]

One potential concern, when we were there we looked for Gaston but could not find him. Don't know if he's a character that's always available? Doesanyone know? It could be a big disappointment for your son if Gaston isn't there

 

[SueM in MN]

We have seen Gaston around his tavern in New Fantasyland pretty much every time we've been in that area.
Get a Times Guide when you come into the park - the character greeting times are listed on it.
If you don't see him, you can also ask CMs in the area.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Not sure about Gaston bc we didn't get to meet him last time but my son has somewhat of a speech problem where he can't connect his thoughts with his words so when he gets excited it takes him a while to be able to communicate what he is thinking. He is also a very soft spoken child so sometimes its hard to hear him. All the face characters really got down to his level (eye to eye sort of speak) and were very patient and waited for him to get out what he was trying to say. Aladdin and Jasmine over in Epcot were the absolute greatest. They spent about 5 minutes talking with my son and he didn't feel rushed at all. The characters are really trained and I imagined really drilled to handle all sorts of children that go to WDW. You will be surprised how many of the characters will get down to your sons level to really try to understand him. I honestly believe the characters really love their job and really love all kinds of kids to have that sort of compassion towards them.

 

[JenLT]

We have always had very good luck with the characters. They all seem patient and understanding with kids.

 

[orourkjr]

Thank you all for the feedback, I am feeling a lot better about our visit. My teenager has met with Gaston several times outside his tavern, so I do think he is regular character at the park.

 

[Stubbzilla]

I wouldn't worry too much, the characters and the handlers are really good at reading the kids.

 

[gap2368]

I wouldn't worry too much, the characters and the handlers are really good at reading the kids.

And they are good at reading adults with disabilities

 

[pampam]

First of all, to these boards. I cannot add too much to the above valuable comments. You have gotten some great suggestions. Don't stress too much about it. Your son will have a wonderful time, and you and your family will be making some wonderful memories. Please let us know how it turns out for you.

 

[Capitalangel]

Thank you for posting this and for all the feedback from previous posters. You set a mom's worries at ease. My older son has speech delays among other delays/ challenges and I was worried about how some of his interactions would go.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

Their is a website called Goodentree with a girl with SMA with speech issues and the cast members were AMAZING with her.

 

[gap2368]

Their is a website called Goodentree with a girl with SMA with speech issues and the cast members were AMAZING with her.

That little girl is amazing

 

[SmallWorld71]

1) If anyone needs specific character times, I highly recommend kennythepirate.com and his character locator app. He often has info. that can't be found on the Times Guides.

2) DS16 was extremely shy as a young child. The characters were all great with him.

3) When we met Gaston, there was a non-verbal, young man with Downs Syndrome in line in front of us. Gaston was wonderful with him. He managed to stay in character as the pompous guy he is while treating the young man with so much respect.

 

[Marthasor]

My son has an expressive language disorder which includes word retrieval issues and sometimes, particularly if he is nervous, it takes a long time for him to get a sentence out. He has been to WDW about 20 times and we have never had any issues with characters (except one with a Jasmine who was rude to me, but that's another story!). They have always been patient and absolutely delightful with my son. He has always left the encounter with a huge smile on his face. I wouldn't worry!!