Travelling with special needs- Down Syndrome

[wlwcvt]

Honestly need your experiences. My friends would like to join us on the Fantasy in February, but they want to know how relaxing it would be. They have a 6 yr old with Down Syndrome (high functioning) and the parents are wondering if the Kids Clubs will give a extra look out for him when he attends. His younger brother will play with him while he is there and most likely his older 9yr old sister.

Will the kids clubs have any restrictions at all? Plus we are all just a text away- but they also want a little down time.

Thank you for your thoughts

 

[houseofduck]

I think your friends' son will have no problems with the Clubs, especially if he is high functioning and has siblings that will be with him. If the parents have any concerns, they can speak with the CMs in the clubs on the first day. There is a thread that a current CM started where you (or they) can ask specific questions.

Here are links to two threads:
http://disboards.com/threads/ask-me-anything.3437767/
http://disboards.com/threads/current-youth-activities-cm.3466830/

 

[thumpie's mom]

When we first started cruising, my daughter who has cerebral palsy, was a child and really wanted to go to the kids clubs. I was not sure how it would work, but I called DCL ahead of time and discussed it with them. I found them to very helpful and she was ultimately able to go to the kids club (and loved it). They cannot assist in any personal needs, but we had a pager so if she needed us, they would page us. I would recommend the parents calling DCL directly with any questions they may have.

 

[lanejudy]

You've indicated the child is high-functioning -- so I'll take that to mean that at 6 yrs old he is able to be Kindergarten/1st grade level group situations without the need for 1:1 assistance. He probably plays on the playground with classmates, attends gym/art/music class, maybe participates in activities with the local recreation department, daycare, etc. If he can function in group settings without direct 1:1, he is more than welcome to utilize the Club/Lab onboard during secured programming. As mentioned, CMs will not be able to assist with dressing/toileting/personal needs, but they will page a parent if needed. If he's still in pull-ups, the parents be required to return periodically (maybe every 60 minutes?) to check on him.

I do suggest the parents to to Open House on the first afternoon. Take the opportunity to explain his abilities and needs with a CM. See how he interacts in the group environment. If they are unsure, they can go the next day during Open House as well to help him get acclimated if more time is needed. But with siblings there as well, he likely will be fine.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Jennifer777]

Our son has Aspergers and the CMs were great. Disney has a special services team so you can handle a lot of the arrangements in advance. The reservations department can give you the phone number. Have your friends call the special services team and they can provide all the details about what DCL and CMs can and can't do to make sure your friends and their child have an enjoyable vacation. They gave us tips based on our concerns and they put notes and special requests in our child's file. As a previous poster said, they can't assist with toileting but other than that, they've gone to great lengths to make sure our special needs child (now 12) felt comfortable and had a good time. It also put our minds at ease knowing DCL had CMs familiar with special needs children.

 

[Wendyross]

Thank you for your wonderful responses- they booked the cruise!

 

[thumpie's mom]

Awesome! Hope you all have a wonderful time!

 

[Weedy]

Be sure to go to the club the 1st day before it gets busy (during the day not after dinner) and introduce your child to the counclers. This way they will have a little heads up to look out for him. They can't provide one on one care but they do a great job of making every child feel welcome.
There are times when the clubs can get crowded and a bit overwhelming. You may want to ask the counclers the best times to come and the times to avoid.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have been cruising with our daughter with down syndrome for many years. The Disney staff has always been incredible with her even today as an adult. I would highly recommend it.

 

[KKKKCS]

We have a high functioning downs great nephew and he had a blast on the Fantasy a few years ago. The cast members were fantastic with him. His mom was a wreck for the first day, but after she saw how wonderful the staff was, and how much he enjoyed the club, she was so happy. They are planning another cruise in 2017!