WDW trip with my autistic son...

[smg1062]

This December, my soon to be 6 yr old will be going to WDW. Can anyone give me tips, advice on the best way to handle situations, lines, etc? I heard that medical notes sometimes help get closer to the front of long lines, and someone else told me that they would hand out cards to cast characters informing them that their child is autistic as not to touch or approach them suddenly.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES.
The card that you are referring to is called a Guest Assistance Card (also called a GAC). You can request one from Guest Services in any of the parks. It isn't meant to allow you to skip lines or get to the front of lines any faster. What it does do is provide a more appropriate access (which may be waiting away from other people or in an alternate spot).
Showing the GAC to the character handler CMs in the meet and greets is one way to let the characters know that your child may need to be approached carefully. THe CMs will let the character know (since some of the characters can't see too well).
Also, here is a link that might be helpful.

I'm sure some other posters will have advice for you too.

 

[leisuregoddess]

My son is 7 years old and we have been to Disney a few times.

A few things that have really helped me:

Packing a familar backpack or bag with favorite snacks and drinks.
Bring a book or toy to use in lines.
If you think it might be needed get a big stroller, it is worth it for shade and rest.

If your child likes maps or brochures, let them help you plan the trip.

Make sure and check online for any rides that may be closed so you wont have to deal with a meltdown on this issue. It helps if you let them know an attraction may not be avaliable.

 

[smg1062]

Many thanks! I do know of a mom that brought a medical note from her doctor stating her son's condition and SUPPOSEDLY she was led to the front of lines. Im not looking for free passes, just the best situations for my little guy.

 

[AJKMOM]

There are different categories on the Guest Assistance Pass according to needs. With our autistic son, we were able to use the handicapped entrances that avoid the pre-show and lines when it is crowded. Depending on your child's reaction to crowds, it may be best to plan a trip when there are no crowds.

 

[s&k'smom]

Here are a couple of things we did to make our trip easier. We took a break every afternoon. We just sat by the pool and spent some time in our hotel room. This worked wonders. We also mailed down a package of his favorite snacks and sort of had a makeshift schedule organized. I mean, breakfast, park, swim, dinner, bed. Also having his blankie with him at all times was a true asset. Also when we requested our room we let CRO know of his needs and were able to get just the room we needed (1st floor-no balconies for us). they do say they can't guarantee anything but CRO has never let us down. If you have time try to get the WDW promotional video we watched it countless times and it really helped him to recognize some of the attractions when we got there, we couldn't believe what he was able to pick up. I found that we just sort of had to play it one day at a time and actually as the week went by he got easier to handle. You can PM me with any questions or just post them.

 

[bradleysnana]

Already posted in separate link if you can delete it that would be great.

My 5 year old grandson has been to Disney twice before and both times were difficult to say the least. We went because his older brother LOVES Disney. My 5 year old Grandson has recently been diagnosed with asperger and bi-polar and will begin medication on Thursday. Both kids are saying they REALLY want to go back to Disney so: I have booked 3 days on site at Universal to give us fastpass access and I have booked 4 days at the Boardwalk. The 5 year old does not handle crowds, heat, standing in line, or characters well at all. He loves the parades, shows, and he loves most of the rides. I have saved the link concerning disabilities and I am going to read it. Does anyone else have any suggestions? For instance, how good are the CMs if I need to take him to a quiet place? We are taking a stroller since it will be easier to put him in the stroller if I need to remove him quickly from a situation. Any other thoughts? Should I take a note from the doctor? Do I just go to Guest Services to request the pass? What if I get into a line and he has a total meltdown? Anyone dealt with this before? I am concerned with the ability to leave with him. Maybe I am worrying about things that will never happen. We have just had a very stressful last 3 months and I want this trip to not be a total disaster. We are taking breaks each day and going back to the room. He is terrified of swimming but he loves to walk around the Boardwalk especially at night.
Thanks for all suggestions. I greatly appreciate them. By the way-characters and character meals are totally out so any help with being sure characters avoid him like the plaque and only talk to his brother would be helpful too. Wow writing this makes me wonder why I am taking him but other than the characters and the crowds, he loves the Disney atmosphere. Also, does anyone else have food issues? My grandson will only eat pizza so I guess I will be checking out where to find pizza and other foods (since I am not a pizza lover)
Becky

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have time for a long repsonsenow, but thought I' d add a little.

I do know of a mom that brought a medical note from her doctor stating her son's condition and SUPPOSEDLY she was led to the front of lines. Im not looking for free passes, just the best situations for my little guy.

The only front of the line passes are for children who are going thru one of the Wish granting programs, like Make A Wish.
The Guest Assistance Card is to give you the assistance to have a good experience at WDW. Some of the ways this might be accomplished may be to allow a stroller to be used as a wheelchair (taken into lines where strollers are not usually allowed). Many people find this to be helpful for children with autism since it allows you to bring some of their "personal space" with you wherever you go. Another thing might be to walk in, but use the wheelchair entrance (but for many rides, wheelchair users wait in the regular line). You will not be given immediate front of the line access, but will get help to make the wait easier.

 

[Figment1964]

The GAC we had last summer allowed us to use the Fastpass entrance where it was available or an alternate entrance if not. We actually ended up using the pass quite a bit since the lines were pretty long (down side to August WDW trips!) and we really cut down on the frustration level for our son with Aspergers.

More than once we had the CM's ask us if there was anything else they could do to make it easier for us.

Gotta love Disney!

 

[BrerMom]

Wow writing this makes me wonder why I am taking him but other than the characters and the crowds, he loves the Disney atmosphere.

Our son made huge developmental leaps after each of our visits. For a family that had first taken our three kids to WDW four years ago, we've now made four trips. It is so worth it for us.

 

[lalapodip]

Hi, Steve, I hope that you've had your question answered! My son has pretty severe autism and we would have been lost without the GAC. We used the FastPass line with the GAC for most rides, and we used a wheelchair for my son as well. People don't tend to question a child in a wheelchair until he stands up!! But seriously, you don't know how your son will react, and my son flat out sat on the ground once we made it through the gates at MGM on our first day! The wheelchair was a must. His other favorite was a mini version of the Cat in the Hat book, which we read 500 times during our vacation. I entertained a few other children with it as well!! Good luck planning!

 

[smg1062]

You guys/gals have been very helpful and kind with your suggestions. I know it's 8 months away, but Im the one that feels like a little kid!! I cant wait to go back to WDW with Eli.

 

[lalapodip]

Steve, I know what you mean about feeling like a little kid! I sent you a private message (see the bottom of the main discussion screen to read it). Again, happy planning! You and your son will have a wonderful time.

 

[MEM]

If you haven't already done a search on this forum, you should, because this topic comes up frequently. I'm not sure of the protocol for referring to other websites, so forgive me if I err, but I wrote a very detailed trip report for Brian Bennett's Mouseplanet on my first trip to WDW with my autistic son (Summer or August 2001 in the archives). Prepare to be amazed by your son's positive response to so much happy Disney stimulation! The pool break in the afternoon is always a great idea - for the whole family. Plus, I don't know of an autistic child who wasn't a water-baby. The GAC is a great help and we imposed our own limits on it, if only to teach our son that waiting in line is part of life. We never used it for posted waits of 15 minutes or less. Some new CMs still need to be educated about it but we kept a positive attitude and it went well. When you go to Guest Services to get the card, bring documentation from your son's doctor. Under the ADA, supposedly you don't have to "prove" a disability, but rather than get into a debate with the CM, just provide a letter from his neurologist stating his diagnosis and need for special consideration with regard to waiting in line.

We have gone 3 times in the past 2 years and each time our son has had a melt-down. However, it can be expected of many overtired, overstimulated children. Not a big deal.

Enjoy and watch your son's development leap!