disabilities board is not geared to answer
Disneyland type questions such as which is the best hotel, what are the scary rides, and weather.
disabilities board however has a community board for talking about disabilities. I am a neurovariant as is my mother and they help me deal with mean people, social skills, progressing in life, and how to handle my mother who all her life has been child like simple. She has meltdowns and needs to be talked to in a certain way. I learned a lot from that board. There is a sweet Knight in shining armor named bookworm and parents of kids with aspergers/autism and other stuff as well as adults with various limitations. That is my disboards home even though I am here too much.
disabilities has a FAQs which has a ton of helpful hints like how to handle an autistic child in parks. Get the GAC with the
"stroller as wheelchair" stamp. Autistic and SID kids get overwhelmed by things so the stroller is their little haven from the world and keeps people a little away from them. Strollers are good for strapping in the runners also. For some kids the seating can provide pressure points which SID kids need sort of like swaddling.
That GAC would allow you to take the stroller anywhere you can take a wheelchair. This saves you the energy of carrying the kid and again provides a nice semi private spot for the kid. Stress and exhaustion tend to make kids more susceptible to meltdowns thus using the stroller in lines reduces likelihood of a meltdown.
Busy toys help in line like a fidget toy as well as bits of food, games, or an Ipod or other music player. Autistic kids have busy minds so you need to focus the kid on something besides the wait. If you have to leave the line because the kid cannot handle the line then tell the CM and they may let you have someone in your group hold your place in line. Sometimes but no guarantee on that..
Good planning such as MM and going to Fantasyland early helps. Many Fantasyland rides would let you use the GAC to go through the exit and are short lines. Nemo subs have a room with the movie but is darkened so bring a flashlight or something to make the darkness go away. It seats about 4 to 6 people and has two wheelchair spots and lots of room for kids to run around in. For more general tips check with the disabilities board for more info on how to deal with a special needs kid or adult in parks.
I'm hoping for the other side, I want people to turn up on Saturday the 23rd, leaving the whole week before hand really quiet!
