Trip to WDW with Autisic (5)yr old Boy

[Buzz Litebeer]

Personally find if the queue for an attraction isn't too long we try and encourage him to do what everyone else does and wait our turn, you will find that most families with autistic children just want to queue like most families do.

Sadly, speaking as a CM, this hasn't been my experience at all.

I've never had a bad experience with an autistic child. Never.

However, I've had more bad experiences than I can count from parents of autistic children. Now, as Stephen King once wrote, of course I don't mean you, dear reader... but then again, I just might.

 

[bookwormde]

OT Buzz Litebeer,

Several things to think about, first is that with the societal lack of understanding and systemic discrimination most ASD parents have had to be a little more “aggressive” to get there child’s needs met (not that this is an excuse for impolite behavior). Even WDW is far from being perfect (in both CM training and accommodations) so that is also a consideration especially if a family has had a “difficult” situation before they came to you. Thinking that any families of ASD children (with a few rare exceptions) would not prefer to be able to use the standard queues, show a serious gap in WDW CM training and understanding of the ASD experience. Most ASD families make some attempts to use the standard queues (without doing significant damage to the ASD individual’s anxiety state and being disruptive to a point where it is inconsiderate to other guests) Many times you would have no idea that my son is Aspergers when he is in the standard queue (of course other times it is quite obvious to anyone trained in ASD) so how would you know if families are making “attempts”.

If you see a parent of an ASD child crying at WDW it may because they are sad, but it is more likely that their child has been able to accomplish something that they have never been able to do before like go on a challenging ride, make it past noon without becoming overstressed, make it through a standard queue or even just walk up to a CM and say hello or just giving a big hug.

One other thing to remember is that it is very likely that at least one parent, and possible other members of the immediate family have some Autism spectrum characteristics and no mater how well “adapted” they are can become a factor during “unpracticed” stressful times (again not an excuse for impolite behavior, just reality of us being required to adapt to your neurotypical society).

bookwormde

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

Thinking that any families of ASD children (with a few rare exceptions) would not prefer to be able to use the standard queues, show a serious gap in WDW CM training and understanding of the ASD experience.

My post was made based on my experience. This was not in any way meant to imply that I will not provide any accommodation I can to ASD Guests and their families, nor should it have been interpreted as such. My feelings -- which I'm not going to express in any way onstage -- have nothing to do with our training, but, rather, my personal experience (like the woman who demanded -- and screamed! -- that I put her ASD son on an attraction immediately during one of our busiest days -- despite the fact that there were four other ASD Guest parties waiting in front of her. How would you handle that situation?). I also take cues -- and advice! -- from my fellow CMs and friends who have children with varying degrees of ASD (they range from nonverbal to Aspergers). In short, I disagree with your opinion that my observations are a result of poor training and experience.

f you see a parent of an ASD child crying at WDW it may because they are sad, but it is more likely that their child has been able to accomplish something that they have never been able to do before like go on a challenging ride, make it past noon without becoming overstressed, make it through a standard queue or even just walk up to a CM and say hello or just giving a big hug.

I'm well aware of the amazing -- even magical -- therapeutic effects that Disney can have on some Guests who are ASD, and I feel privileged to work there.

One other thing to remember is that it is very likely that at least one parent, and possible other members of the immediate family have some Autism spectrum characteristics and no mater how well “adapted” they are can become a factor during “unpracticed” stressful times (again not an excuse for impolite behavior, just reality of us being required to adapt to your neurotypical society).

An excellent point.

 

[bookwormde]

OT not intended as a personal criticism, just trying to keep people thinking, and like everyone, it is always the bad experiences that leaves the strongest impression. Just wanted to make a point about painting the majority from an experience with a few bad situations.

We all appreciate the great job the vast majority of CMs with our children and how they go above and beyond to make our children’s visits special.

bookwormde