Child with Autism in the Parks

[Mikokat]

If I worked at Guest Relations, I would give them a pass right after they showed the dortor's note. No questions.

[TsWade2]

I sort of have Asperger Syndrome too. But, I didn't mind loud noises. My disability is being absessive. I don't think Disneyland will help you with your son, but I think earplugs will be a fine choice.

[Bobsled Rider]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickey

I didn't read through this thread thouroughly, but interestingly enough, the book I'm reading mentioned a boy with autism. His doctor recommended his parents take him to DL everyday. Sure enough, after many many trips, he saw Mickey Mouse one day and exclaimed "Mickey Mouse!" His first words ever. This is may off-topic to the original point of your thread, but I thought I'd share.

What a wonderful story, I only wish my doctor would perscribe me to visit DL everyday!

[disneyland992]

I'm 14 and I have it. I first went to DL when I was two and it was alright for me.

[Chris]

The off-topic posts were removed from this thread and moved to Never Never land. I encourage everyone to read the VF Guidelines and FAQ's regarding staying on topic.

On a related note; I know several parents of autistic children and diagnosis is often difficult and is no way a 'label' anyone is seeking out for their child. While more disorders are being classified under the Autism spectrum, the incidence of the disorder is also increasing.

Please don't make bold (and frankly, poor informed) statements regarding complex issues without having some information (studies, etc) to back it up.

[scd]

I think it really depends on your son and how you think he can handle being at Disneyland since every person with Aspergers/Autism will handle things differently.

[Strangel]

I realize this thread was started quite a while back, but I feel the need to give my two cents. lol

My son has autism, he's eleven years old (twelve in January) and lives with my mother in the house he was brought home from the hospital to. He's been to DLR three years running and this year I finally talked mom into buying him an annual pass. I took them through the park, explaining how to approach CMs, how to distinguish which ones are from the "area" you're in and which ones shouldn't be approached unless it's a last resort (character handlers, etc).
I had no idea there were ever special passes for the disabled or I would have mentioned that, too. At this point, we're doing really well with his acceptance of the noise and crowds of the park. We know that sooner or later, he's going to explode, and that it'll generally happen towards the evening if we haven't taken a break outside the park. Since toddlerhood he's always done the same thing.. he absorbs and absorbs without being able to shut the world out until it becomes too much and he "has a meltdown" or as his teachers call it "sensory overload and debilitating behavioral disintegration" (or sometimes just nervous hysteria). Basically, he can't stop his brain from taking in ALL stimuli, ALL the time.
Imagine being locked in a room similar to a sensory deprivation tank but instead of silence you're bombarded with thick scents (similar to smashing several bottles of different perfumes, aftershaves, etc), chaotic noise so loud it makes your ears ring, and near constant jostling and shoving. For someone with a properly wired brain, being in a crowd is mostly filtered out.. I describe it as being in a crowded restaurant. You know people at other tables are talking, you know there's music on, and you know that there are dozens - if not hundreds - of plates being scraped by forks and knives, but you are perfectly capable of talking to the person at your table in a normal tone of voice and hear them just fine. A lot of that is your brain tuning out the clatter and din and turning it into "background noise". For myself to a lesser extent, my son and others like him, there IS no "background noise". All of it is right there, pressing in against him.
He's learnt to adapt to most situations and we've taken him (with the assistance of countless therapists, teachers, doctors, and other wonderful professionals) through various exercises that help him shut down key intakes. Sometimes, he just shuts down entirely. This becomes obvious when he stares at the ground in front of him, never moving on his own accord but completely pliant to being moved when led by hand. When he does that, we know there's a reason and typically, if he gets forced out of it, the meltdown will occur.
He's learnt to cover his ears if the crowd is too much for him as an outward sign that it's time for us to step aside and find a quiet corner and prefers not to be seen by others when he realizes a meltdown is incoming. When I met up with mom and him last month, he chose to walk away from everyone - including us - in the little raised platform between Small World and the monorail track. We took a seat on one of the moulded cement infinity benches and waited him out. He walked over to a spot next to the bushes and just laid down on the ground. We let him lay there for a couple minutes, then I went over and helped him up and guided him to the bench with us, where he laid back down with his head in my lap. When the fireworks were about to start, he just covered his ears and watched them from that position. He really seemed to enjoy them like that, so we're thinking that's where we'll sit from now on when we take him.
We didn't know about the guest assistance passes, but we made a point of telling the various CMs if we needed assistance and they were all very helpful. Midday, I was exhausted and feeling more than a little faint and dizzy while we were getting ready to enter the line for POTC. I told them to take him without me because I wasn't sure I'd be able to stay on my feet through the line. Either I was having a panic attack or I was suffering from heat exhaustion. Whichever it was, my aunt asked a passing CM if it would be possible for me to wait inside for the rest of my party to reach the loading bay. He wasn't sure, but took us straight to the handicapped entrance's CM and handed us off to him. The handicapped line's loader told us it was fine for me to wait inside for the rest of my group and when they reached the ride, I was allowed to join them from the opposite bay. Yes, I had to remain standing but I was allowed to enter the building and wait there, which helped my symptoms quite a lot. Sometimes, if you can't get help from one place, you can get it from another.

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by Strangel

Sometimes, if you can't get help from one place, you can get it from another.

EXACTLY!! And that's the key to this: if at first you don't get the help you need, persist--in a polite but firm way--until you get what you need.

[splashmountainlover]

hahahahahahahaahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

[Big Disney Fan]

I have Asperger's and I still go to Disneyland with no trouble at all. In fact, one symptom of Asperger's is a fixation on any one thing to the point of obsession. My fixation is Disney, especially the parks.

I just cover my ears during the fireworks; they're so loud and my ears are sensitive to loud noises. That's another Asperger's symptom. But that doesn't stop me from enjoying Disneyland.

Originally Posted by ChrisH

We have been going to Disneyland for that past 7 years with my high-functioning autistic son who is now 10 (technically, it's called Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified). He absolutely adores the place, but has issues with waiting in lines and noises, and will "melt down" on the spot if he gets overwhelmed. Noises cause him physical pain, it is heartbreaking to see.

Last year we too were denied for the first time a Special Assistance pass. Needless to say, we were furious, and my wife was ready to blow. As we were leaving (actually ready to just leave the park period) my wife angrily blurted out "If he gets violent in line and hits someone, well, I warned you!" Not one minute later we left with pass in hand.

Now my son is NOT violent, but it did work.

You know, maybe you should take the park to court. Not only will the judge order Disneyland to be more sensitive to people with needs and alter the policy, but it will cost them a barrel of money, too!

[Jphelps]

[quote] I have Asperger's and I still go to Disneyland with no trouble at all. In fact, one symptom of Asperger's is a fixation on any one thing to the point of obsession. My fixation is Disney, especially the parks.[\quote]

same with me

[stoopidqpid]

my cousin has autism. what we usually do is get there early and go straight to city hall. once we get the dissability pass, we head for the rides that she really likes. we plan on having a short day. sometimes we leave at noon, but weve made it to 9pm a few times. it just depends on what kind of say shess having. have fun!

[LCDLBA]

Originally Posted by kapiski

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I will call the park in advance and ask about a special needs day and, if none, their suggestions for a quieter day of the week (we have 10 days to pick from). I like the Leapster idea - it has saved many a meal when dining out. I will definitely bring one.

Thanks again!

I know this is an older post, but for those who might still be seeking info on a potential trip I wanted to add.

I used to be in the profession of working with Autistic children for 6 years. I then had my own kids and opted to stay home, but I have to say it was such a blessing learning from and with all those kiddo's! I would suggest a few things I learned with a few of "my" kids . First they seemed to like the headphones better than earplugs. Not all of them but most of them. I even had one that especially liked a very low volume of classical music. Second, we carried our portable DVD player with them. While some of them do not like the TV or noise, one of my boys in particular loved to watch blue's clues. Be sure to take books, soft blocks, a small mat that they can sit on the ground for when they have their "moments" and a snack and water bottle. Another thing that my family does (because we live in the hot desert) is allow them to carry around water bottles with cool water. If they are hot you (or they) can mist themselves. Obviously there are so many degrees to this disability, so it is all going to be based on your particular child's likes and dislikes. One thing I do know is that in the past our best friend has been allowed to take needed item such as all of the things I have listed, into the park, because they are needed items for your child's disability. When you call them you may wish to confirm that info as well.

Best of luck to all of you traveling with your autistic and disabled kids and have a great time! It really is a great place for them to be to see so many great things.

[DisneyDitz87]

My nephew is 12 years old and has asperger's syndrome as well. A few years ago when I graduated from high school he was 8 or 9 and we all went to Disneyland. He did really well up until the middle of the day, at the midday point he had a miin-meltdown and needed some time just to be by himself. He got so overwhelmed with all the excitement and all the music and people that he just crashed. We went back to the hotel for a few hours and let him take a nap or play his game boy then once he was rested we went back to the park. He didn't really want to ride any rides so he sat down on a park bench with his dad while my sister and I took my niece on various different rides. We found that it actually works better if you go for a few days and don't even attempt trying to do a full day without a break. Its just too hard on him, at least it was on my nephew. Now he's asperger's has progressed into a worse state as well as his OCD and bipolar tendencies that Disneyland really wouldn't be a fun thing for him anymore. We're hoping to get his meds evened out so someday we can go back as a family. I hope you are able to have a wonderful time on your vacation and that your son has a fun and safe experience! :)