Thinking about a Cruise/ child w/ special needs... Help..

[minorthr]

They will not be able to accompany your child into the kids' club spaces except during Open House times.

Lanejudy do you know this to be a fact? Because that is one of the services they have on their site and they told us this as well under respite care and one of the main reasons we went with them although it does say most and not all. I also doubt he will be spending much time at the activity centers anyway

• Most Respite Sessions for this group are held in the Youth Center facilities and utilize all of the Youth Center toys and games (including video games), and when practical, our staff will integrate our children with the Youth Center organized activities with the typical children onboard..
  

 

[Hundredacre]

Lanejudy do you know this to be a fact? Because that is one of the services they have on their site and they told us this as well under respite care and one of the main reasons we went with them although it does say most and not all. I also doubt he will be spending much time at the activity centers anyway

• Most Respite Sessions for this group are held in the Youth Center facilities and utilize all of the Youth Center toys and games (including video games), and when practical, our staff will integrate our children with the Youth Center organized activities with the typical children onboard..

Yes, but there are many times during the day when it is open house.

 

[minorthr]

Oh I thought it was only open house the first day. Thanks

 

[lanejudy]

DCL does not allow any adult to spend time with any child during secured programming. Not a parent, older sibling, other relative, friend, caregiver, etc. During secured programming at the Club/Lab, adults are only allowed in long enough to pick-up their child. The top age limit/no adults is a hard and fast rule for DCL due to liability, and they do not bend it even for special needs children. However, as PP mentions, DCL does offer at least an hour of Open House times at each kids' space each day during the cruise. During Open House, an adult must accompany a child who attends Open House; those children dropped off for secured programming are moved to the "opposite" space (for example during Open House in the Club, secured programming is in the Lab). I do not have first-hand knowledge of where AotS holds Respite Sessions on DCL, but it would not be at the Club or Lab during secured programming; it may be during Open House or it may be elsewhere onboard.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[mommysaurus]

I have cruised with my son who has autism and it was the best week of our lives . I think as long as you know your child and what "triggers" him/ her and take steps to avoid you will be fine. As others have noted your stateroom is the only place you can absolutely 100% control the environment and noise level but there are quiet spots to be had, especially on the off season. Servers are great at accommodating during meals...that will be the least of your worries. I say go for it, have a great time!

 

[Lisa Garcia]

I wanted to share I did call Autism on the Seas after I saw the post suggesting them. I found out they are on the cruise the week BEFORE us BUT I was told they still have some things they can do to help out (IE setting up a private drill, alerts disney about triggers, etc) Anyone have experience with this?