Taking one of my group home clients on a Disney Cruise!

[LJC1861]

I have an opportunity to take one of my group home residents on a DCL cruise in August 2017. I booked on opening day, with her guardian's consent. C, my resident, does not know yet. Her guardian now feels that it is "so soon", as she was expecting 2 years to get used to this idea. She thinks that cruising in 2017 will not give us enough time to plan. Knowing C as well as I do, I know that we will have time to plan. C is 39, very social, great ADL skills, loves to go places and do things. Some of the things that I know that we will need to practice and plan is flying...she has never done so, and although participated in an airport experience, has never actually taken off and landed. Staying the night with me will also be another. Reviewing the layout of the ship, and activities and making a "schedule" to use while cruising will be another important planning piece. Practicing the safety drill will be another training piece. What additional things has anyone who has cruised with a person with autism done to prepare your loved one?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Linda

 

[tobikaye]

Hello, my sister has developmental delays and is currently 37, but like C, is social and has great ADL skills and loves to go places. When we travel, my sister definitely does better knowing what is coming up on the trip. You have covered a good portion of the key points.

Some things I would add based on our 4 night Dream Cruise:

• Getting from the airport to the cruise - We drove and parked at the terminal, but she needed to know about where we would park in relation to entering the terminal.
• Waiting to Board - If you get there early, it can be a bit crowded and my sister got a bit nervous and we boarded early since we were concierge.
• Getting on and off the ship - She was nervous at Nassau when we got her off for an hour or two. She was fine as long as she could check to see the ship was in port.
• Pools - Very crowded, even the one in the adult area
• Specific Kid Themes - My sister is high functioning and mostly acts like an adult, but still enjoys the things that kids 5-18 enjoy. I planned to take her to the open houses for the Kids Clubs, but she decided there were other things she wanted to do. She did look longingly at the splash area, but knew she was too old for it.

Things you are working on that I want to stress:

• Safety Drill: It is very loud and piercing. If she has issues, I would bring ear muffs, like used at gun ranges. These still let you hear conversation, but muffles the sound. We got her some years before for fireworks.
• Flight: Explain that it can be bumpy in the air. This might help if you have turbulence. I have not flown with my sister yet, but know this and possibly delays would be the key things to work with her on.

I hope you have a great trip.

 

[lanejudy]

I don't know how familiar your client is with hotels and housekeeping, but I suggest preparing her that the room host will be in and out of your stateroom a few times each day -- to make the beds in the morning, to turn down the beds at night, and to leave information often at least once per day. Some people find this disconcerting to know someone has been in the room.

As tobikaye mentions, you are welcome to attend "Open House" at any of the kids' spaces. There is usually at least one hour per day scheduled in each (Club/Lab, Edge and Vibe). And I second the idea of earmuffs for the muster drill.

Since you won't know the actual activities offered for each day until you receive the Navigator the evening prior, be sure she doesn't get too focused on exact activities and specific times at this point. For example -- don't be so precise as to plan towel folding after breakfast on day 3, because it might not be offered until afternoon or maybe not on that day. You can get a decent idea of what activities are offered on your itinerary by reviewing Navigators posted on the Disney CruiseLine Blog. Just be aware they do change.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[LJC1861]

Thank you both so much! These are great tips and I plan to incorporate them into our cruise and planning.

Linda