Tips, Tricks, & Hints for Cruising on the Spectrum

[Gisclair Disney]

When are you cruising? We're going to be on the Wonder August 14-21. My 10 yo son has severe ADHD (double exceptional) and his new psychiatrist suspects HFA -we're on a looooong waitlist to be tested...

We are on the July 24th sailing.

 

[bbel]

Very good advice here. Thank you!

Specifically, I would like to be able to discuss with him how to get in touch with us if he is in Edge and wants/needs to leave. Do cell phones work? (Sorry if that's a silly question, but there is so much I don't know!)
What are our options if we are out on an excursion and something puts him into defense mode or he just needs a quiet time out?
I'm hoping there might be other HFA kids that may be on the same cruise who he could "hang out" with.
Food is not really an issue, thank goodness. However, he is also hearing impaired. I'd like to be able to offer him as much freedom as possible (although he is just beginning to want to do things alone or just with friends), while feeling as confident as possible that he is safe.

Edge will also have a phone, so you can always call them directly if you want to check in.
If you don't meet any other HFA kids beforehand, you can always talk to the Edge counsellors and see if they know of any others in that group, and they can work out a way for you to be put in contact with each other if thats what you want to.
The Alaska cruises tend to be quieter and more chilled anyway, but if you wanted somewhere to hang out as a family, or your kid needs a change of scenery but still with things to do, for most of the port days and every evening one of the Oceaneer spaces will be in Open House, Alaska being quiet they're pretty empty and you'll probably have the space to yourself (they have pretty much all the same stuff that Edge has to offer and more, it just might not look as attractive to tweens).

 

[kuhltiffany]

I also have a son with HFA, he loves to cruise on Disney! We've done 5 so far, including Alaska last year. Before we do each cruise, we watch Youtube videos posted by others who have done the same cruise so he knows what things look like, what might happen, etc. Really helps!

 

[monkeybird]

We are on the July 24th sailing.

We won't meet up then, but I look forward to your report. Happy cruisin'.

 

[KalamityJane]

I have younger kids but this might work for you - I made a Shutterfly social story about what was going to happen on our extensive trip and when. This gives them the structure of "this WILL happen" so they have a little more leeway when things do not go the way they planned/expected. Also, there are a lot of wonderful Youtube videos that you can show him to prep him for what is coming up, how a DCL cruise goes, etc. I love watching them myself, so a 13yo would probably do just fine with them. We deal with sensory issues, so I booked inside rooms. Having a quiet, dark place to escape to has really helped us when we go to Disneyland. Good luck!

 

[PurplePencil]

Don't know if this is helpful as its for younger kids, but this might help
https://secure.cdn1.wdpromedia.com/...-cruise-adventure-booklet-english-version.pdf