WDW and Austim...Not a clue!

[ilovefh]

Recently a friend asked me for help in planning her trip to WDW this summer. Her son has autism (I know the specturm is so wide!) and she asked about something for the lines. I'm not totally sure what their needs are, but I told her I thought she would qualify for the GAC. Can anyone give me any information I can pass on to her? Anything is helpful because even though I have been more times than I can count, I know nothing about going with a child with autism.

I'm going to encourage her to sign up here and take advantage of all off your knowledge!

Thanks!

 

[shawn68]

I believe passporter still makes a special needs book for WDW. I have a nephew who is Autistic, and I myself Aspergers. I would recommend the book.

 

[SueM in MN]

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Post #6 of that thread is about Guest Assistance Cards and should be able to answer lots of your questions.
If you look in post #3 of that thread, you will find some general links to information. You will also find aa alphabetized lost of information about specific conditions or concerns. I'd suggest looking at the specific links about autism, but also look at the other subjects because you may find some things in other areas that will be helpful.

Passporter does still have a book called Passporter's Open Mouse with information and hints for people with special needs.
It is a very hood book, but my warning is that the book is very large and can be intimidating. My suggestion is to look at the nook in small 'doses' instead of trying to read it straight thru. Pick out an area you are interested in and skim it the first time you look at it.

 

[ilovefh]

I believe passporter still makes a special needs book for WDW. I have a nephew who is Autistic, and I myself Aspergers. I would recommend the book.

Thanks! I'm going to look into that!

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Post #6 of that thread is about Guest Assistance Cards and should be able to answer lots of your questions.
If you look in post #3 of that thread, you will find some general links to information. You will also find aa alphabetized lost of information about specific conditions or concerns. I'd suggest looking at the specific links about autism, but also look at the other subjects because you may find some things in other areas that will be helpful.

Passporter does still have a book called Passporter's Open Mouse with information and hints for people with special needs.
It is a very hood book, but my warning is that the book is very large and can be intimidating. My suggestion is to look at the nook in small 'doses' instead of trying to read it straight thru. Pick out an area you are interested in and skim it the first time you look at it.

Thanks for the links! I've planned tons of trips for people, but none with special needs!

 

[bookwormde]

Welcome,

PPs have provided good links and ideas, also if you read through this section there a lots of threads about Autism genteics and WDW with real world experiances and some really great ideas for making WDW a magical palce for our children.

bookwormde

 

[fitzpa]

I have been taking my son who has autism (low functioning) for many years. With a lot of planning the trip will be successful. Important things to remember: Try to stick to their typical schedule (bedtime, lunch...) We don't stay in the parks for long stretches of time. Can get overstimulated. We use a wheelchair in the parks so he has a "safe place". We bring his headphones, some rides are too loud.

 

[maciemouse]

My neice has autism. My sister gets the GAC card for her just in case she has melt downs in line. This last trip they did not even have to use it but had it on hand in case. She also made her a bracelet to wear around her wrist that had my sisters full name, cell phone #, and where they were staying. She did this because my neice tends to stop and get fixated on certain things. They never got seperated on the 2 trips they've been on but you know how crowds can be if a child runs off. She loves Disney and can't wait to go back. On the first trip she did have a couple of melt downs. It was mostly from being stuck in line with a bunch of people around her seeing no way out. But her second time, I think she knew a little more of what to expect.

 

[momejay]

I have 2 children with autism. Both have been going to WDW since they were about 3 years old. My DS uses his wheelchair. He never graduated from stroller to walking holding hands. He does push his sister in the chair on occasion. DD is high functioning, but has some sensory issues & strange schedule requirements. (She has to take a shower at 7PM.) If we are in the world, we sometimes reset her wristwatch & clock in her room to avoid a big blowout. DS is low functioning.
We go to a park stay a few hours. Go back to the room & eat a big lunch. We sometimes swim. Then we head back to a park until about 6:30 PM so DD can shower. We snack for dinner & go back for fireworks. DS hated fireworks when he was younger & we would have to leave the park at sundown as he became afraid.
As an autistic parent, you know your child's tantrum triggers. Just avoid the triggers. For my DS, waiting for parades was impossible. He loves to watch them. He just hates the wait. I started buying him a fruit cup & carrot & celery sticks to munch on while waiting. We just can't have anyone with a ice pop in the area or he tantrums. It is too bad Disney stopped carrying the Donald Duck orange juice ice pops. It was the only thing he could have.
The GAC allows us to do more in a shorter time period. We sometimes wait longer than the regular line, but we wait in a different area. (Less eyes to stare at behaviors & judge)
The best advice is rest when you need to. Don't stress yourself! Your child may pick up on your body language & interpret it wrong. If you are calm, your child will be calm. Don't try to do it all in one day or one trip. You will have something to look forward to on the next visit. I wouldn't plan in detail to be anywhere at any time. If you are hungry eat. I have walked into some places & requested special meals without difficulty. (during odd hours off season)
Road ID makes a velcro water resistant bracelet, mainly for joggers. You can engrave your address, cell phone #, allergies...whatever you need to. I use one for my child. I have in the past used tatoos with my cell phone number. I know my friend writes her cell number on her non-verbal son's back in marker.
You may want to think about requesting a room too. My DS stomps his feet so I request a bottom floor so noone underneath us is disturbed. My DD hates hearing others suitcases wheel by so I request a less traveled area.
Good luck!

 

[mouseforcemom]

If the child is a runner I would recommend these autism temporary tattoos. Our youngest is a runner, and give am inch and he will bolt if he gets really agitated (or even if he thinks it would be a game). This way they can't take it off, ours doesn't like bracelets or necklaces (dog tags) anything.

We use them when we go out and know it's a crowded situation we're headed for (street festivals, large parties, even field trips).

I haven't checked the links, but I would spend some time researching the quiet areas of the parks. It is a HIGHLY stimulating environment, and most kids on ASD have a tendency to get agitated when they go on sensory overload. This way if they catch it early enough they can get to a quiet area to calm him and smooth over a meltdown (if at all possible). We ended up not seeing as much on our touring plan but taking our time, (relaxing in a shaded area, playing on the 100 acre wood playground, etc.), we were able to spend more time in the parks b/c Tom wasn't rushed and could take things at his pace.

I hope this modicum of advise helps!

 

[DisMomAmy]

We have also made up rings of laminated index cards that talk about "what if" scenarios - what if it rains, what if a ride is closed, what if it's too loud, etc. They were very helpful for both of my boys last year, especially DS6 (5 at the time) who has more sensory issues.

A DIS-friend of mine also made up a book for her DS9 (Aspergers) with their schedule and some of those "what if" scenarios.

Another resource that my DS9 (high functioning) loves is a book called "Guide to the Magic for Kids" by Tim Foster. It shows the rides in each park, has stickers and places to write in information about your trip. It also has an autograph section. I'm ordering a new one for him for this year's trip.

Another vote here for Passporter's Open Mouse too!