Suggestions for WL with Autistic 6 year old

[DisneyLover75]

Hi

I posted this in the resort forum, but I think it's probably better suited here. I would appreciate any suggestions anyone may have.



http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34518095#post34518095

 

[marj70]

We haven't stayed at the WL, but I have an 8 yr old son with autism. He loves Disney, but I do understand the challenges as well. We've learned to always let him have a reasonable amount of his comfort items with him (learned this the hard way!). He is allowed to pack his suitcase (regular size wheeled) however he wishes--this includes comfort toys, costumes he likes to wear in the room, etc. We put his regular clothes in our luggage--it's well worth him having his "stuff" with him. He copes much better with a hotel room this way. Familiar food is important to our son, so we order groceries for the room so he always has the things he likes to eat handy (like string cheese and juice boxes). We always spring for the internet because this is a big stress reliever for him (he's addicted to youtube!)

We also like to show him pictures well in advance of the room, the hotel, the rides, etc. A written schedule/calendar is also important to him. For our son, knowing in advance what to expect avoids a lot of meltdowns (for example, I've been showing him pics and reminding him daily that the AKL pool is OUTDOOR).

Definitely get a GAC for the parks. I'm not sure about your son, but for mine the ipod has been an amazing tool. He can stand a lot of riding/waiting if he can watch his videos on his ipod.

In your original post you mentioned going with a friend. I know what that can be like. It's sometimes hard for others to understand and sometimes expect too much. Been there, done that.

If you've thought about in-room childcare, Fairy Godmothers used to care for special needs kids (I'm not even sure if they're around now, but we used them several times in the past and I highly recommend them--we used the same sitter for several years in a row when our son was younger).

I don't think I've answered your question about what's available that he might like at the WL--but I wish you the very best. For us, anyway, it has gotten easier each time.

 

[bookwormde]

WL is a great place for our kids with its visual complexity, there is a really nice quiet fireplace area I believe on the 3rd or 4th floor above the entrance. Without information about your child’s sensory profile it is a little hard to make good suggestions but there is a beach area and the DVC pool is a much quieter venue than the main pool.

bookwormde

 

[DisneyLover75]

Well, my son isn't so high functioning as to pack his own suitcase. He's going to be six in January, but he's more of a two or three year old, functionality wise.

He's advanced in some areas, like he can read, but he is mostly non-verbal and likes baby stuff. He's still very intrigued by Baby Einstein products, almost to the point of obsession. He likes videos, like Disney Sing Along Songs or Baby Einstein, or maybe sometimes the Wiggles. That's about it.

He doesn't have any major sensory issues. He does, however, have ADHD. He's very energetic (if only I had a sixteenth of the energy he has!) and loves water.

He would enjoy the baby pool (I say that because he can't swim in the big pool by himself. He'd just want to sit on my hip the whole time.) But the baby pool would be perfect for him.. and he loves the interactive fountains, like at Pop Century or at Epcot, or Donald's boat.

I do plan to get an in-room sitter for a couple nights so my friend and I can go out for a non-character, non-stress dinner. I'd love to have the sitter take him to the playground, or for a walk, but I worry that if they walk past the pool or lake, he'll have a huge melt down that he can't go in it. It's a pity that they won't let the sitters watch the kids at the kiddie pool. That would be the perfect thing for them to do with him.

Ah well... anyway, I was hoping to find a few activities to do that would be fun and engaging for him while we sat down and relaxed while supervising.

I would really love to do the Cub's Den, because he'd like it better than having a sitter. But I just don't know if they can manage him.

 

[bookwormde]

We bring life jackets along for our kids (most resort have them to loan but our kids are more comfortable in ther own). Once they understood that they were "safe" in them we had a hard time getting them out of the big pools (and slides).

 

[DisneyLover75]

I think they provide life jackets for the pools, but he doesn't especially like wearing one. I do put him in them every now and then, but mostly he's happy playing in the kiddie pool, so he can sit down and splash without being in too deep.

I am just hoping to find a few things for him to do around the resort, if we want to have a little relaxation time. Something for him to be engaged in and enjoying while we sit and supervise, have a chat, something to drink, etc.

I have been to WDW a bunch of times, and I know about the GAC, which is tremendously helpful. Thanks for all the great suggestions, and please don't hesitate to post more if you think of anything!