Worried: Autism and Strollers

[Mom2six]

I'm planning a trip for September to Disney World (our second trip). My 3 year old son (he'll be 4 then) didn't go with us the first time. He has autism and sensory problems. Sometimes he feels overwhelmed by crowds or places with too much visual stimulation. He has problems with anxiety and is afraid of strangers. This is why we didn't take him the first time, but he LOVES all of the pixar movies and was jealous of the pictures he saw of his sisters/brother with the characters. I think it would be so unfair not to try to take him this time.

Usually, he can feel safer/comforted in his stroller. I plan on taking it and I read that sometimes strollers can be given wheelchair status. He can walk just fine -- but he might not be willing to do so if he is afraid or unsure of the environment. The stroller is like his safety zone. It can help prevent a "meltdown" too. So, will they let you have that designation even if he can walk? I've read in other posts that sometimes CMs make comments about whether or not a child can walk but just doesn't want to.

I don't see him going on many rides (it's not his thing at all), but in character lines I was hoping to let him stay in his stroller. Is this usually a problem? I don't know if he'll love the characters or be afraid of them. I do know his 5 year old sister would be devastated not to see them all, so he'll probably have to wait in line for them.

Also, when I was there in February I didn't really notice if there was anywhere he could observe the characters without approaching them -- like before getting in line. I should have paid better attention to that but I was more focused on the kids and taking everything in myself.


I guess I'm just nervous about taking him, but I want him to have as many experiences as possible!! And I hate leaving him behind.

 

[krisnme]

Tell guest services you need a "stroller as wheelchair" tag, you don't have to explain that your child can or cannot walk. Many autistic kids (including mine) need the stroller as a place to hide and regroup. You can then take the stroller anyplace that a person could take a wheelchair, and I would not worry about comments, only you know what your child needs.

I have not gotten in a character line in many years, but we have stood to the side and watched the kids interacting, you should be able to do the same.

There is lots of great advice here for ASD kids, don't be afraid to ask anything, we have all been where you are at one point!

 

[Mom2six]

Thank you. That's good to know.

 

[blondietink]

My DS age 19 with Classic Autism uses an adult travel chair at Disney World (and other stimulating places). It is his "safe place". He is so calm being pushed around the park and is able to take in all that is going on around him without worrying about acting inapporpriate. Once the chair we had with us broke, so we had to rent wheelchairs in the parks. It was a nightmare trying to get him from the parking lot to the wheelchair rental places. He needed that wheelchair so much he would literally run from the ticket counter to the rental stand and be sitting in a wheelchair waiting for me when I finally caught up to him. So, don't worry,, get a GAC with stroller as wheelchair stamped on it and have a great time.

 

[jmartinez1895]

GAC for your stroller would be perfect for you. Just tell the CM at guest service what you have told us here and they will be able to help you out. You will then be able to take the stroller anywhere a wheelchair can go. At most of the shows you will be able to park the stroller in a wheel chair spot and sit in a chir next to it. We have done this before, but at some places the stroller sits to low to see so they let us park the stroller on the back wall so we do not take up a wheel chair spot. One great place to view the characters would be EPCOT character spot. It is an indoor area, but it has floor to ceiling windows and you can see everything that is going on from the outside. You could start outside and let him watch and see what is going on. Then when ready you just go in. Most of the characters are very good with children who are shy or afraid.

 

[Doofenshmirtz513]

We have three children, but our DD (7) and our DS (6) are both diagnosed with Asperger's. This year will be the fourth year in a row we have gone to Disney, and we have never vacationed anywhere else. This is strictly due to the fact that they are so accommodating towards Autism. DD is extremely antisocial and can't stand that close to people, including people she knows, like her teachers and such. So, tight lines are very hard for her. DS is the opposite, very social. However, he will grab anyone inappropriately (he doesn't really know what he's doing), and he will throw himself to the ground if he has to wait in a long and close line for something. He also throws himself to the ground if he cannot ride in a car that is the color blue, his favorite color. In their preschool special needs class, we talked to another family that had traveled to Disney and used the GAC to have a wonderful and normal trip. We were anxious and excited to do the same, and it has been wonderful ever since. Just go to Guest Services at any park and ask for the card, but you must present all members of your party, including the children/child. Tell exactly what the problem is, and they will help you. In your case, they have a specific stamp that says "stroller = wheelchair." They are not allowed to ask for medical documents to prove your child's diagnosis, and we have never had a problem with this in our past 3 years. Have a great trip!

 

[lovethattink]

I'm planning a trip for September to Disney World (our second trip). My 3 year old son (he'll be 4 then) didn't go with us the first time. He has autism and sensory problems. Sometimes he feels overwhelmed by crowds or places with too much visual stimulation. He has problems with anxiety and is afraid of strangers. This is why we didn't take him the first time, but he LOVES all of the pixar movies and was jealous of the pictures he saw of his sisters/brother with the characters. I think it would be so unfair not to try to take him this time.

Usually, he can feel safer/comforted in his stroller. I plan on taking it and I read that sometimes strollers can be given wheelchair status. He can walk just fine -- but he might not be willing to do so if he is afraid or unsure of the environment. The stroller is like his safety zone. It can help prevent a "meltdown" too. So, will they let you have that designation even if he can walk? I've read in other posts that sometimes CMs make comments about whether or not a child can walk but just doesn't want to.

I don't see him going on many rides (it's not his thing at all), but in character lines I was hoping to let him stay in his stroller. Is this usually a problem? I don't know if he'll love the characters or be afraid of them. I do know his 5 year old sister would be devastated not to see them all, so he'll probably have to wait in line for them.

Also, when I was there in February I didn't really notice if there was anywhere he could observe the characters without approaching them -- like before getting in line. I should have paid better attention to that but I was more focused on the kids and taking everything in myself.


I guess I'm just nervous about taking him, but I want him to have as many experiences as possible!! And I hate leaving him behind.

My son is 7. We have a medical stroller for him. When you arrive at a park, go to guest services. They will give you a red sticker to place on the stroller and stamp a GAC.

I go to the parks prepared for anything. I bring a small flash light or glow sticks in case we get stuck on a dark ride. A brush for Wilbarger brushing. Legos figures or Star Wars figures to play with. Ear phones to block noise, sun glasses for bright lights at shows, and so on.

As for the characters, we have had wonderful experiences with everyone except Lilo and Stitch. They kept tickling him or putting their hand over his face and though he laughed and smiled while with them, as soon as we walked away he cried and cried from being tickeled.

My son's biggest problem has been with the queues. The CM tell people to fill in all available space and that places people too close to him. Makes him very anxious. We try to find a spot at a end somewhere so that people aren't surrounding him on all sides.

We go to Disney often, and have had so many magical experiences. We definately tour much different than most families. He usually only does a few attractions in a day.

Don't worry about comments from guests or cms about not wanting to walk. Safety needs to be your number one concern.

I was alone with my son in Fantasyland when they were refurbishing the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The construction wall scared him and he bolted away from me. I caught up to him at Dumbo. Thankfully it was an empty day and I was able to keep my eye on him the entire time. We started looking for a medical stroller for him after that happened.

He also bolts from birds, dogs, and loud noises. He is completely unaware of his surroundings when he is on a mission to get away from whatever stimuation he can't stand. He wouldn't hesitate to run into oncoming traffic if it meant getting away from a bird.

 

[Mom2six]

Thank you so much for your very helpful replies. I feel a lot better about it all!

We are considering taking a double stroller, because it is a bit roomier for him and that way his 5 year old sister can rest sometimes. Would we still be able to use the stroller as a wheelchair, or do we need to bring a single?

 

[Mom2six]

I was alone with my son in Fantasyland when they were refurbishing the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The construction wall scared him and he bolted away from me. I caught up to him at Dumbo. Thankfully it was an empty day and I was able to keep my eye on him the entire time. We started looking for a medical stroller for him after that happened.

He also bolts from birds, dogs, and loud noises. He is completely unaware of his surroundings when he is on a mission to get away from whatever stimuation he can't stand. He wouldn't hesitate to run into oncoming traffic if it meant getting away from a bird.

Oh my goodness...I'm so glad you were able to catch up without incident. This is one of my worst fears, of him taking off on me.

 

[Andianna]

Thank you so much for your very helpful replies. I feel a lot better about it all!

We are considering taking a double stroller, because it is a bit roomier for him and that way his 5 year old sister can rest sometimes. Would we still be able to use the stroller as a wheelchair, or do we need to bring a single?

It does not matter they will still issue you a GAC card make sure you request the card that says the stoller is to be treated as a wheelchair. My grandson is autistic and has severe sensory deprivation disorder, OCD, as well as anxiety. He has been twice to disney world the last being last year when he was 5 yrs. We have learned to pace ourselves and allow him his "quiet" place in the stroller and with the GAC Card and stoller tag have had a wonderful experience on both occassions. Have fun relax and go with the flow and you should have a great time. I wish you the best.