Hi New here and have a son with ASD

[Whiskers.merry]

Hi :wave:

We are going to Orlando in December for the first time (and first time on a plane!) in December.

I have a 10 year old son with ASD. (And 2 younger children)

He's quite unpredictable in how he acts when out, from very normal to huge melt downs. :confused2

Hoping that he takes to this holiday ok! :spin:

I've no specific questions, just saw there was a special needs forum, and thought I'd say Hi! :wavey:

Merry xx

[NurseHelen]

Hi and welcome to the DIBB.

I too have a ASD daughter so I know what it is like.....mind you she is now 18!!!

Ask any questions...there are a few of us with ASD kids:D

[Whiskers.merry]

Hi Helen
Thanks for the welcome:thumb:
I have a dad I lost 2.5 yrs ago too. :bheart:
Merry xx

[TinkTatoo]

Hi and welcome to the Dibb :wavey:

I have a 10 year old son and a 9 year old daughter both with ASD and they love going to Florida. The only tip I can give you is you'll know when your son has had enough in a park and when that happens leave. It's not worth the hassle to stay and you can always get to go back later or try another park.

December is a great time to go as it's not humid and the decorations are lovely :)

[loadsapixiedust]

:wave: Hello and a big warm welcome to the Dibb!

You'll find lots of good advice here, so don't be afraid to ask.

[Whiskers.merry]

Hi TinkTatoo and Loadsapixiedust!

:flowerfac Thanks for the welcome. :flowerfac

Merry xx

[spenners]

I have a 14 year daughter with Autism and the problem we have in Florida is getting her out of the parks :pgig:

As Tinktatoo has said, when your children have had enough just leave. It is a happy and fun place but it is also very big and can be very tiring in the heat. My DD with autism is also sensative to certain noises and also the loud bangs of the fireworks upsets her, she now takes her ipod with her and she listens to her music while we watch them.

Have a great time :wavey:

[DebbieJRoss]

Hi and welcome you will get great tips and advice and the people are friendly :thumbs-up Debbie

[ali-s]

Hi and welcome :) My son ( 11 ) has aspergers, ( though fairly mild ) our first trip we had our fair share of tears (thankfully no meltdowns ) mainly due to tiredness and the excitement of it all. The second trip was much better , DS knew what to expect , so didn't go too OTT with the excitement, and we knew how to plan it all to avoid the tiredness. DS also did his own planning - he had his list of what he wanted to ride and do, and when, ( I had plenty of time to check his suggestions and make sure they were realistic ) I think he felt more in control and was def calmer. If your DS is into planning ( and most ASD kids are ;) ) you could let him browse these boards with you, also recommend the Brits Guide book - my copy lives in DS' room, along with all my other guide books :( - he's an endless source of ride trivia now ! :pgig:

[Whiskers.merry]

Hi and welcome :) My son ( 11 ) has aspergers, ( though fairly mild ) our first trip we had our fair share of tears (thankfully no meltdowns ) mainly due to tiredness and the excitement of it all. The second trip was much better , DS knew what to expect , so didn't go too OTT with the excitement, and we knew how to plan it all to avoid the tiredness. DS also did his own planning - he had his list of what he wanted to ride and do, and when, ( I had plenty of time to check his suggestions and make sure they were realistic ) I think he felt more in control and was def calmer. If your DS is into planning ( and most ASD kids are ;) ) you could let him browse these boards with you, also recommend the Brits Guide book - my copy lives in DS' room, along with all my other guide books :( - he's an endless source of ride trivia now ! :pgig:

This sounds like my son! :d:
He reads and takes in every detail, then quotes it back to us!
He is VERY into structure and hates to do anything if he is not sure what's going to happen.

Nearer the time I'll get a guide book and lt him look on here! :thumbs-up

:wave: Thanks for all of the welcome messages everyone :wave:

Merry xx

[Jedi_Angie]

Hi, and welcome to the Dibb. Best of luck with your trip - I'm sure your family will all have a great time!

I have three kids, my two boys both have ASD. My main suggestion would be to be prepared for as much as you can, and maybe to read this...

http://allearsnet.com/pl/dis_aut.htm

That was my first port of call when we were getting ready for our first visit, and I found it really helpful. :)

[Whiskers.merry]

I have a 14 year daughter with Autism and the problem we have in Florida is getting her out of the parks :pgig:

As Tinktatoo has said, when your children have had enough just leave. It is a happy and fun place but it is also very big and can be very tiring in the heat. My DD with autism is also sensative to certain noises and also the loud bangs of the fireworks upsets her, she now takes her ipod with her and she listens to her music while we watch them.

Have a great time :wavey:

Great idea about listening to music. My DS is not a fan of noises. He hates the hoover noise etc, but at home just goes to a different room.

He used to be ok with fireworks but we haven't seen a display for 2 years, so not sure how he will be now, but will remember your tip!

Thanks Merry xx

[Whiskers.merry]

Hi, and welcome to the Dibb. Best of luck with your trip - I'm sure your family will all have a great time!

I have three kids, my two boys both have ASD. My main suggestion would be to be prepared for as much as you can, and maybe to read this...

http://allearsnet.com/pl/dis_aut.htm

That was my first port of call when we were getting ready for our first visit, and I found it really helpful. :)

Thanks for the link, :grin: I've just had a quick read through.

My ds isn't too bad waiting for things, but crowds do make him very anxious, and he's sensitive about people touching him/ brushing past him etc.

Will just have to take it easy, and do it at his pace.

:grin:

Merry xx

[Lydiakate]

Hello and welcome. The Dibb is so friendly and everybody wants to help or send messages of support. I have twin daughters aged 7. We are only able to take one daughter away as DD2 has had a brain haemorrhage. She is autistic and epileptic on top of the problems from the initial haemorrhage. Like lots of others here with children who have problems, don't let that put you off going away. You know your routine and how to cope with any wobbles. We are in the situation where we are not able to take our daughter but still enjoy a holiday with DD1 who deserves our undivided attention for 1 week every year. :pd

[Whiskers.merry]

Hi Sue
Thanks for the welcome:smile:, I hope you have a fatastic time with your daughter when you go.:spin: Sorry to hear about your other daughters health difficulties.
Merry xx

[Maisie]

:wave: Hi! Welcome aboard. I find these boards invaluable when I need advice on traveling with my DS.

[Whiskers.merry]

:wave: Hi! Welcome aboard. I find these boards invaluable when I need advice on traveling with my DS.

Thanks Maisie :)
I've found lots of useful advice here already! :spin:
Merry xx

[loubie]

Hi and Welcome

[Whiskers.merry]

:wave: Hi Louise
Merry xx

[mazz]

just want to say Hi

i have two little darlings both with autism, any holiday is a challenge and the best advice i could give is know when your child has had enough and call it a day in the parks and to be prepared

ask any question that's niggling away, no matter or trivial you may think it is and i'm sure another mum on here will have some good advice for you, we're a friendly bunch :wave:

[Whiskers.merry]

Hi Mazz,

Thanks for the welcome :)

I emailed virgin yesterday after reading on the virgin holidays web site to notify thm if any of your party had disabilities or special needs.

I thought I'd best declare my sons ASD. (This is our first holiday via a plane, so not sure if this was needed or not)

I was surprised to receive a reply saying to go to premimum economy to board earlier than the majority of the economy travellers, and the same on the way home.

That's very thoughtful, and will hopefully help settle my son, who told me yeaterday he never wants to go on a boat or plane. (he doesn't know about this holiday yet!)
Merry xx

[pluto rules]

hi and welcome :wavey:

[Whiskers.merry]

Hi Tanya :)
Merry xx

[lynneandnick]

hello and welcome

:wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave:

[Whiskers.merry]

Hi Lynne :wave:
Merry xx

[landkmum]

Hi Merry, welcome to the dibb. This place really is a font of knowledge about all things. My DS (10) has aspergers and one thing I would say is don't rule out hiring a double buggy when in the parks. They are big enough even for large children - and my son is certainly large for his age - and provide a fantastic 'safe' haven for chilling out in.

[Jedi_Angie]

Being able to board early is a huge boon, well, it is for us. Get on the plane when it's nice and quiet, no people about, get Ben settled in his seat, get out the colouring book or ipod, and he's quite happy while everyone else boards. We were also offered the option to board last and I did consider it, but this seems to work with Ben, so we'll stick with what he knows. :)

And I agree about the buggy - Ben still fits in a single (just!), but we may have to up it to a double soon. It gives him a wee place to hide, especially while waiting for the parades when there are lots of people close by.

[pigginpink]

Hi and welcome I have three children 18.14, 9 and the 14 year old has ASD, dyspraxia, dyslexia and ADHD,

[mazz]

Hi Mazz,

Thanks for the welcome :)

I emailed virgin yesterday after reading on the virgin holidays web site to notify thm if any of your party had disabilities or special needs.

I thought I'd best declare my sons ASD. (This is our first holiday via a plane, so not sure if this was needed or not)

I was surprised to receive a reply saying to go to premimum economy to board earlier than the majority of the economy travellers, and the same on the way home.

That's very thoughtful, and will hopefully help settle my son, who told me yeaterday he never wants to go on a boat or plane. (he doesn't know about this holiday yet!)
Merry xx

you can check in at the prem econ queue too

also make sure your insurance know about the autism too, some might not offer cover or use the non declaring of ASD as a excuse not to pay should you make a claim

if the insurance says yes that's ok and a lot will :) ask them if they can send you a confirmation

if you can prepare you son for the flight by perhaps visiting a airport observation deck (with earplugs if needed) and making it sound like a fun trip it might just help, my son likes to cut out the pictures in the holiday brochures and we make a big collage and talk about all the lovely things we will see and do together and this helps him understand

we also bought a remote contolled mini plane fom virgin that just runs around the floor like a remote car would, i'm not sure if you can get them in advance of your trip but worth trying on the virgin site or ebay for one

marie :)

[Whiskers.merry]

Sorry, missed the last few replies!
Thanks very much for all the good tips :)

Merry xx

[spider]

Hi and welcome to the Dibb and the special needs forum!!! (Sorry it's abit belated but must have missed the orginal post, don't know what happened there!!! :confused2 )

I have a 12 year old (13 in July) Autistic son (Ben), we have been to WDW 3 times now and planning our 4th trip for this year.

Ben is what I call "classically" autistic, very poor speech and language skills, lots of obsessions, ticks, the associated learning disabilities, some pretty bad behaviour but then some really good behaviour!!!!

A holiday to WDW is the only time that I feel that we are a little more "normal", Ben is mostly very well behaved (though soooooo bossy it is unbelieveable) but there are instances of meltdowns that have come from nowhere!!!

Ben loves the structure of the holiday, we do an itinery (or timetable - he is memorising it now!!!), he loves collecting the maps, he loves the rides, the shops, the waterparks.

My biggest test is the flight - 9 solid hours of Ben nagging me about how long it is til we get there. He finds it really stressful (and so do I, he doesn't bother his dad half as much as me!!!) and infact, on the return flight in 2006 he literally worried himself sick - thank goodness for a spare pair of Virgin Upper Class pyjamas given to us by the air stewardess!!! I wrap up presents for him to open through out the journey (only stickerbooks, comics, etc), it may only keep him occupied for a few minutes but something is better than nothing -he can't even stand watching the TV programmes. A few of my friends think I'm insane taking him, but I tell them, 18 hours is worth it because he loves it out there, it's a small sacrifice!!!

Hope this hasn't put you off though!!!

[Janerie]

Hi
I am a manager of a care home that specialises with adults who are autistic and also have a DD who has aspergers. I find that ensuring they know what is going to happen helps. Often they can not cope with the unknown and need routines, Although this may be difficult on holiday. This is my first trip to Florida and whilst I'm sure my DD will manage quite well I will be giving her a visual plan of the day first thing in the morning and ensuring we have plenty of breaks as it's tiredness that triggers her behaviour, and like someone else has said try to not get them too excited.
It is really difficult when they can be so unpredictable, but I'm sure as a mum you know certain triggers and try to relax yourself often your anxieties can be passed on to them.