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Thank you Len Testa and the folks from the Unofficial Guide
- Thread starter Lokheed
- Start date
raven
Well-Known Member
Lokheed said:
I work with autistic children, kids with downs syndrome and other special needs students. I often wondered how someone with these needs would take to such a sensory overload as WDW. I've been answering questions for parents about WDW and try to tell them everything to expect. Any tips?
On our first visit we were very afraid that Ben would be overwhelmed, but for him at least it turned out not to be an issue. As soon as he walked onto Main Street he knew exactly where he was, and was deleriously happy. That being said, we definitely had some coping tools in place.
First off, we are always sure to bring along his CD player and headphones. If the crowds get too much for him, he can always put those on and screen out the distractions.
Second, be sure to stop by any Guest Services location and pick up a Guest Assistance Pass. When you explain the childs issues, they will be more than happy to give you a pass that lets you bypass most of the lines. In most cases you go in through the FastPass entrance, or failing that you go in through the wheelchair entrance. It's not quite a front-of-line pass, but it at least moves you from the crowded, noisy lines and into a faster and generally quieter queue.
Third, and most important, don't push it. Know your child's limits and don't try to push them past them (unless they are actually primed to be pushed a little). If you go into the park, do two things, and the child is ready to go, then be preparted to take a break. Even on the most crowded days you can find quiet spots to decompress for a while. Never be afraid or ashamed to ask a Cast Member for assistance if you need it. In my experience, the Cast Members are almost always willing and eager to go above and beyond to help your child enjoy the visit.
I seem to remember another website that had some specific tips on taking autistic children to WDW, but the exact one is slipping my mind at the moment. If I remember it I will come back and post a link.
First off, we are always sure to bring along his CD player and headphones. If the crowds get too much for him, he can always put those on and screen out the distractions.
Second, be sure to stop by any Guest Services location and pick up a Guest Assistance Pass. When you explain the childs issues, they will be more than happy to give you a pass that lets you bypass most of the lines. In most cases you go in through the FastPass entrance, or failing that you go in through the wheelchair entrance. It's not quite a front-of-line pass, but it at least moves you from the crowded, noisy lines and into a faster and generally quieter queue.
Third, and most important, don't push it. Know your child's limits and don't try to push them past them (unless they are actually primed to be pushed a little). If you go into the park, do two things, and the child is ready to go, then be preparted to take a break. Even on the most crowded days you can find quiet spots to decompress for a while. Never be afraid or ashamed to ask a Cast Member for assistance if you need it. In my experience, the Cast Members are almost always willing and eager to go above and beyond to help your child enjoy the visit.
I seem to remember another website that had some specific tips on taking autistic children to WDW, but the exact one is slipping my mind at the moment. If I remember it I will come back and post a link.
brertigger
Member
Yup, that's exactly the one I was thinking of. The specific page can be found at http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/dis_aut.htm
lentesta
Premium Member
Wow, how'd I miss this thread? I blame Raglan Road. :slurp:
Ron, it was great to meet you and Ben. I can't believe how much we learned about the attraction after riding with your family. Let's keep in touch - I'd like to run the SWSC review for the 2007 edition by you guys to make sure we have everything right.
For everyone else, one of the first questions we asked Ron and Sarah (sp?) was how they managed to stay sane while riding the same attraction more than eleven hundred times. (I mean, I've been on the TTA a couple hundred, but these guys are in a whole different league.) They said one thing they do is try to figure out how to re-design the attraction to make it better.
In particular, they have an idea for turning Tiki Room into a Stitch-based attraction that would have been a much better idea than the current SGE. (Okay, almost anything, including a nacho cart, would be better than the current SGE. Work with me.) I'll have to find some place on the website for this.
Again, it was great fun riding the attraction with Ben. Let's keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Len
Ron, it was great to meet you and Ben. I can't believe how much we learned about the attraction after riding with your family. Let's keep in touch - I'd like to run the SWSC review for the 2007 edition by you guys to make sure we have everything right.
For everyone else, one of the first questions we asked Ron and Sarah (sp?) was how they managed to stay sane while riding the same attraction more than eleven hundred times. (I mean, I've been on the TTA a couple hundred, but these guys are in a whole different league.) They said one thing they do is try to figure out how to re-design the attraction to make it better.
In particular, they have an idea for turning Tiki Room into a Stitch-based attraction that would have been a much better idea than the current SGE. (Okay, almost anything, including a nacho cart, would be better than the current SGE. Work with me.) I'll have to find some place on the website for this.
Again, it was great fun riding the attraction with Ben. Let's keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Len