Tour Guide Mike and Austism spectrum????

[Zoemakes5]

Anyone use TGM on a trip where they had an ASD child with them? I like the idea of using the program, since we'll be there at such a busy time, but I've heard that it often requires you to pass things and then back track, etc. and was wondering how successful that would be with ASD kids?

 

[Selket]

I like TGM so I'm biased but....

My son isn't on the autism spectrum but he has type 1 diabetes and other issues. We've used TGM successfully with him on several trips. Believe me - If I had to backtrack I would not enjoy TGM"s touring plans - I don't find that much backtracking to them at all. There are times when it is helpful for someone in your party (another adult) to go elsewhere in the park to secure FP's for later but that is the only running around I can think of.

He generally starts you out in a spot (say Fantasyland if you have little kids), and does much of the FL stuff (maybe not every last ride but most), then onto another section - like Toontown or where BTMRR is, etc.

I really like that Mike describes the reasons WHY he says ride this before that or that, etc. I've found that it is easier to customize your touring with that and if you get "off track" - it is easy to get back on. It is a lot of reading and absorbing the info on his website but worth it in the end for us. There is a money back guarantee if you get on there and don't find what you need. There is also a special needs board where austism and TGM touring plans are discussed (among other things of course!).

 

[KathyRN137]

We have make four trips to WDW with our daughter and our autistic son. This last trip I signed up for TGM because we were going during the busy Jersey Week.... I couldn't have been more pleased.

His advice on which parks which days (and why) was invaluable. I highly recommend his site.

If you would like to see how we did, click on our trip report, below!

As with all advice, listen to what you think will work for you and your family and leave the rest.

Good Luck!

Kathy

 

[mamacate]

My son's issues are not quite ASD (at least as far as we know right now), but in practice the challenges are similar. I used the Unofficial Guide touring plans, but did so more in principle than by carefully following them. I got the kids the Birnbaum's Guide for Kids by Kids and they picked out the rides they really wanted to go on, then I looked at the touring plans and figured out which ones we needed to hit early. I used the crowd calendar to pick which days to visit the parks, and took to heart the suggestions to avoid midday (mostly). This worked really well for us. We never followed an actual touring plan, but the plans were extremely useful in giving us a sense of where and when we'd be likely to run into crowds. Having the GAC made it easier for us to avoid backtracking for FPs (though I definitely did a sprint or two across the park to get FPs while the kids and dear partner paused for an ice cream). So I'd say it's just an extension of life with a challenging child: always have a plan, and always be ready to drop that plan on a moment's notice...