waiting in lines with autistic child

[kimba]

I was wondering how some people cope with waiting in lines with young children that have autism. My son specifically has a hard time with this. I can't go places because of how impossible it is for him to wait in lines for things. The last time we went to Disney he was only 1 yr old and we held him in the lines. Now at three he is too big and strong to hold for long lines. Any suggestions?
Also, are their certain rides I should avoid taking him on that might be too stimulating?

 

[teri]

Hi, and welcome. Click on the FAQ link in my signature and look for information about the GAC, and look at the page about sensitive children. I think you will find some good information there. You can also search this board using the keyword autism or autistic, and you will find a ton of good advice.

 

[NeverbeenB4]

My Pediatrician has a son "on the spectrum", as I do, too. She wrote me a note, on her prescription pad, that will allow us to wait in a special place for attractions. I fear the same meltdowns when we go in early December. We are deliberately going when attendance is supposed to be low to head off some of the line-waiting problem.

 

[SueM in MN]

You don't need a note from your doctor to get a Guest Assistance Card or GAC (the card that lets you wait somewhere more appropriate if your child has a condition that causes problem waiting in line). Just go to Guest Services in any of the parks and talk to the CMs there about what your needs are. You should also ask to be able to use your stroller as a wheelchair. This will allow the stroller to be brought into lines and buildings where strollers are not usually allowed. A lot of people find this helps their special needs child to feel more comfortable and stay more in control.
teri's FAQ has a lot of good info about GACs and what you do (and don't) need to get one.
It also helps to go during a non-busy time like early December and using fast pass will help you a lot too. With fast pass, you get a ticket that lets you come back at a later time (the timeframe is listed on the ticket and on a sign near the fastpass line) and get on the ride with a minimal wait (usually 10 minutes or less).

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We are just back from a WONDERFUL trip to Disney and the 3 day Disney Cruise. My DS , David also has a terribole time waiting in line if the area is hot, if there are a lot of people tightly packed in, or if the area is dark. When I got my GAC I did have a note from my Dr. (you do not have to have one but it helped as he had stated that we had to wait in shade and we needed to use the stroller as a wheelchair). We had a major "meltdown" at Big Thunder Mountain because even the wait area we used was HOT and one of the castmembers came right over to us and brought us in through the Exit (Fast pass) area. I explained that we DID NOT have a fast pass for this ride we had one for Winnie the Pooh and we were just waiting to see if we could get a quick ride in and she said..."It's Ok, there is no need for tears anywhere in Disney if we can help it"!! We were put right on the ride and DS loved it!!! Now, I know this is not fair, and some people may have problems with it. I felt very guilty at first but then I thought, we had not asked for special treatment, and we had waited in many many lines throughout our trip and it only happened once so...........My point is if you see DS getting ready to have a "meltdown" ask a cast member if you can wait in the exit line ...they may say NO but, you may be surprised. I am not saying do this anytime you have to wait in line. There is no reason to have a bad day becasue of one wait in line. I am sorry for anyone who finds this "unfair" but sometimes our little "Special Kids do need some Special treatment" in order to save all others including people who are waiting in line for the ride from a terrible day. Enjoy your trip!!!!!

 

[teri]

I am very glad that you had a nice trip!

"Special treatment" for special needs kids takes into account that the whole family is doing more work to stay and play in the park, that you would not be able to do the attractions without accomodation, and you probably will not be able to do as many of the attractions and activities as families with average children. Also, it can be upsetting, irritating and uncomfortable for other guests, and their kids, to be in line with a child who is freaking out. Don't feel guilty.

 

[suzysezso]

Absolutely no need for guilt!

There is no way I would survive a day with my son at any theme park without the special needs pass!
(By the way a note from your pediatrician is a good idea> I was told by a supervisor at Universal that many parks are trying to scale down the amount of special needs passes by making the attractions more accesable to physically challenged folks. Too many people have been taking advantage of the passes by bringing grandpa in a wheel chair because he stubbed his toe, etc. He did add that a disability like autism will always be allowed priority as they understand the child may have a problem waiting)
I rent a wheel chair for my son even though he can walk, this way he does not get tired and cranky plus it might help you with any guilt feelings you might have as you get more understanding than inquisitive looks as you bypass the lines.
Consider also that by using this pass you are making the attendants aware that you may need assistance or your child may behave differently than expected. In this sense you are actually doing them a favor by using this service.