Tips for DLR with HFA child?

[Aladora]

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for taking a 6 year old with HFA to DLR for the first time? I keep reading about the GAC but from all the negative comments people get, I'm concerned about using one.

I'd love to hear any tips that might make this trip the magical vacation I hope it will be!

Tia,
Susan

 

[skiingfast]

People are rather ignorant about the GACs. People make lots of judgments toward the people using them.


Go to guests services and ask for a GAC. Tell the CMs what your needs are and the CM will mark your GAC to help accomodate those needs.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Right, like PP pointed out, it's about trying to think ahead about what your particular child might need, what could be points in a Disneyland day where you could use some accommodation. The biggest issue might be considering crowds, noise, and other types of stimulation and whether you have a hyposensitive or hypersensitive child. I have a friend who lives in Orange County, has APs, and has a child with sensory integrtation disorder, and for him, it's about learning about which specific rides are not appropriate or which need special preprations.
Google: "Disney autistic"
I think this is a nice guide:
http://allears.net/pl/dis_aut.htm
An excerpt:
"Any Shoulds/Should Nots?
Under no circumstances spend the whole day in the parks! You'll be really sorry by 5pm. There's a lot of stimulation here and your child will need some time to process it. We usually try to go early, come back in the afternoon and then go back in the evening when you can. This is much easier if you're staying at a Boardwalk or Monorail hotel.

Do: Get out of the park in the middle of the day. Don't spend your whole day there or your child will be in full tantrum mode by afternoon.

Do: Get a copy of the Walt Disney World Official Guide for Kids. It has really useful information about noise levels and darkness in the rides, so you can judge whether or not a ride is appropriate for your child.

Do: Leave yourself open to miracles. My daughter's first words, first snuggles, great vocabulary improvement and first full use of the toilet all happened at Walt Disney World or on the plane ride back. Something about the place has been magical for us, at least.

Do: Call in advance for reservations. A hungry, waiting child can get cranky, and short waits for mealtimes are useful. This is especially true if your child wants to attend Cinderella's breakfast (a difficult reservation to secure), or if your child is on a GFCF diet, so that the restaurants know. (Thanks to the many parents who wrote in about their GFCF diet experience.)

Do: Bring earphones or earplugs if your child is noise-sensitive--it can really make a difference. (Once again, thank you to the parents who made this suggestion.)

SPECIAL NOTE: If you are traveling with an adult who has autism or Asperger's, as well as a child, be even more sure to set up some breaks from the crowds and noise."

More tips, esp about the wording of the doc's note to obtain a GAC:
http://allears.net/pl/dis_aut2.htm

 

[ArchOwl]

First to the OP, if a GAC will help your child experience Disneyland, then you should obtain one. Disneyland takes accessibility and disabilities seriously and want you and your family to have a good time. So don't worry about what other people think and just have a good time!

Secondly, just so you know, you do NOT need a doctor's note to get a GAC. If you feel a doctor's note will help you communicate with the CM, then get one. But you don't need any documentation at all, just the ability to explain your child's needs and how Disney can help you. I know sometimes, the CMs don't even look at paperwork brought in, because they are more focused on what they can do to make your trip better. They aren't really hung up on a diagnosis.

Have fun!

 

[Butterfly123]

My son with Asperger's was 6 on his first visit to Disneyland. We let him set the pace, and took it easy...didn't try to "fit it all in". We also took a break in the middle of the day that was necessary to enjoy the second half of the day. You never really know what to expect. We soon found out when he was anxious about what we were going to do next (he liked to have a plan!) we would take out a map. He would find where we were, where were going, and how we would get there. His anxiety went way down. It was Disney Magic! We always made sure we had several maps with us the rest of the trip. I think in almost every picture from that visit he had a map in his hands! My point is that you will find things that work for your child. And Disneyland has turned out to be my sons very favorite place to vacation. We go almost every year...and he is 17 now!

By the way, we didn't need a GAC, but would have used one if we would have needed one.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Aladora]

Thank you all for your advice, it has all been quite helpful.

I think like all things kid related, we are going to play it by ear. It sounds like the best course of action is to get the GAC but only use it if we need to.

A map is a GREAT idea since DS is very visually oriented and loves maps. We're planning on bringing his nintendo ds to the park not only for the longer waits but also for times when there is a lot of noise since his headphones are sound dampening ones.

Taking a break in the middle of the day is definitely on the game plan as well! We're staying at the DLH so it shouldn't be a big deal to go back to the suite and chill out for a while.

This has been a recent (3 months ago) diagnosis, so we are still learning what works and doesn't work.

Again, thank you for the help, it's been very appreciated!

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

I have two boys with ASD. We have been twice and Disneyland is such a magical place for them both.

The first time we did bring the headphones and found we didn't need them.

The biggest thing for us was using the strollers. My oldest who was 6 the last time we were there really loved it. He has crowd anxiety and loved having a "safe" place to go after each ride. Yes 6 is big for a stroller. But, it was much better than having him not want to ride or have meltdowns because of the sensory overload.

On our second trip he took me on California Screamin' front row. I have never been so scared. He loved every minute of it. He is not daring at all. It's all he wanted to ride.

My youngest is the biggest dare devil ever. He never wanted a break. He wanted to go go go. He also rode all kinds of things I didn't think he would. He rode ToT and many other things.

I was afraid fireworks might not be such a great idea. But, we had no problems.

You just never really know until you get there.

I'd say the best advice is to be prepared for anything. Use a GAC if you need to. It's what they are there for. Use a stroller if you need to, much better than having meltdowns. Use headphones if you need to, much better than sensory overload.

I also found that Youtube videos worked really well to prepare them ahead of time for what was to come. It helped them get excited for rides and also see that they weren't too scary.

We also watched a ton of Disney movies so they were able to make the connections to the rides with the stories.

Have a great trip!

 

[jory29]

You may be very pleasantly surprised to find that your son may not even need any special arrangements from the GAC (though it certainly won't hurt to have it in advance, just in case you need one!) We had known about the GAC for our 10 year old son with Asperger's when we took him on the first trip - we knew this is a child who normally can't wait well in lines, etc., but we decided to see how things went first, before getting one. Well, Disneyland must be magical because when there, he needs no special accommodations (no GAC) for waiting in line but fast passes are a must for some of the rides, later in the afternoon, as well, a mid day break is needed, as is FOOD on a regular basis, even MORE than usual because there is so much walking, etc. in the parks. IF you need a nice quiet break, don't forget about the Animation Academy where it is cool, dark, and comfortable! Lots of quiet activities to participate in, or, just sit and rest and watch some fav. Disney movies. DON'T forget to tank up on lots of fluid for your son - a person can get really thirsty going through the parks. We discovered that Sprite soda really really hypes up our son, and not in a good way, lol. Go with the flow, let him help to decide where you go, lots of kids like maps, and enjoy 'leading.' Characters may or may not be something he wants to meet with, but you just have to go by what he enjoys. Look up all of the rides on youtube first, so there's no surprises. The point of view videos tend to be the best. Have fun! I bet you will find it just as magical as we do.

ETA: Good walking shoes, that he has worn in for at least a few weeks, are important!

Edited to add: Sorry, some of my suggestions are repeats, I posted first, and am going back to read what others said!

 

[Aladora]

First to the OP, if a GAC will help your child experience Disneyland, then you should obtain one. Disneyland takes accessibility and disabilities seriously and want you and your family to have a good time. So don't worry about what other people think and just have a good time!

Secondly, just so you know, you do NOT need a doctor's note to get a GAC. If you feel a doctor's note will help you communicate with the CM, then get one. But you don't need any documentation at all, just the ability to explain your child's needs and how Disney can help you. I know sometimes, the CMs don't even look at paperwork brought in, because they are more focused on what they can do to make your trip better. They aren't really hung up on a diagnosis.

Have fun!

Thanks for your PM, I tried to reply to you but since I don't have 10 posts yet, I can't reply to you! So, I'll just say thank you here for your note and it was very helpful!

 

[ArchOwl]

Thanks for your PM, I tried to reply to you but since I don't have 10 posts yet, I can't reply to you! So, I'll just say thank you here for your note and it was very helpful!

You are very welcome. I hope your trip is very enjoyable!

 

[tallpkb]

I read all the great recommendations with great interest, because I have a now 16 y/o daughter with Aspergers. One thing that wasn't mentioned is that you need to let your child tell you what he doesn't want to ride on. We went for years with our daughter only wanting to do the Monorail! Finally, at around age 10-12 (not sure!), she decided to "face her fears" and go on Star Tours (yes, Star Tours, not Star Wars!). Through the years we wanted her to go on attractions we were SURE she'd enjoy, but she just refused to go on. So glad we didn't didn't force her. An USD kid's "wiring" is so different from others, we simply just need to accept it, rather than fight it!

Have a magical time!

 

[Malcon10t]

Interesting tall! My youngest daughter is Aspie also. She was 14-15 before she would willingly ride any of the faster rides (including Star Tours.) She is 21 now, at college, and loves all the fast rides. (Rode Star Tours 12 times in one day during AP and Club33 previews.)

 

[LavenderPeach]

Just wanted to add that it might be helpful to prepare your child for the possibility of ride closures. I know it's hard for my son when we say we're going to go on a certain ride next and then we get there and it's closed. Or worse, we're waiting in line and they close it after we've already waited for awhile.

You could either make a social story book ahead of time about this or just talk about it before you go to the next ride. I usually tell my son something like "we're going to try to go on dumbo next but if it's closed that's okay, we'll just find something else to ride." I try to keep it "light" so it sounds like no big deal.

 

[Malcon10t]

Social stories can work very well for ride closures. I would work on a couple before you head down.

 

[Aladora]

Making notes of all these fantastic ideas!

 

[Zane21]

So I found this thread...and I see it's a bit old...but I have a question about the GAC card and Fast Pass rides. I have been finding a lot of conflicting info about the GAC at DLand....

I was recently told by someone who went LAST SUMMER that they keep track of how many times you can use your GAC card for a FAST PASS ride..once a day per ride....

when we went in 2008, this was not the case at all.

Traveling with a child with autism can be tricky so I really need to find out what the rules are re: the GAC card and FP rides before we go next month.

I email Disneyland last week..still no answer.

 

[Aladora]

So I found this thread...and I see it's a bit old...but I have a question about the GAC card and Fast Pass rides. I have been finding a lot of conflicting info about the GAC at DLand....

I was recently told by someone who went LAST SUMMER that they keep track of how many times you can use your GAC card for a FAST PASS ride..once a day per ride....

when we went in 2008, this was not the case at all.

Traveling with a child with autism can be tricky so I really need to find out what the rules are re: the GAC card and FP rides before we go next month.

I email Disneyland last week..still no answer.

I'm the OP of this thread and since I posted it, we have taken our son to DL twice, both times we used a GAC.

The first time was August 2011 and the only ride that kept track of usage was Star Tours. We were only allowed to use the GAC on ST once a day. Once we found out that this was our son's favorite ride, we made good use of fast passes so we could ride more than once a day. Other FP rides had no limit on per day use.

The second trip was March 2012 and unlike the first trip, none of the rides noted how many times a day we used the GAC. We had prepared our son in advance in case there was a limit but as it turned out, we could (and did!) use it more than once a day on all the rides. (although to be honest, my stomach wished we could have only ridden ST once a day! )

I'm not sure why the difference between the two trips.

Hope that helps and please let me know if I can be of any more help!

 

[bumbershoot]

The first time was August 2011 and the only ride that kept track of usage was Star Tours. We were only allowed to use the GAC on ST once a day. Once we found out that this was our son's favorite ride, we made good use of fast passes so we could ride more than once a day. Other FP rides had no limit on per day use.

The second trip was March 2012 and unlike the first trip, none of the rides noted how many times a day we used the GAC. We had prepared our son in advance in case there was a limit but as it turned out, we could (and did!) use it more than once a day on all the rides. (although to be honest, my stomach wished we could have only ridden ST once a day! )

I'm not sure why the difference between the two trips.

Hope that helps and please let me know if I can be of any more help!

Could it be because ST had only relatively recently reopened? (too many "re" words, there)