Visiting Disneyland with Autism
A Guest Assistance Card and Downtime Ensure a Smooth Vacation
Jan 18, 2009
The sights and sounds of Disneyland can be a delight for most children but can quickly overpower a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Sensory integration issues are one of the hallmark symptoms that individuals on the autism spectrum deal with. The sensory experiences that Disneyland provides can leave parents looking for a quick exit once their child gets overwhelmed. With adequate planning, Disneyland can be an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Guest Assistance Card
Disneyland offers the use of a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) to park visitors. Available at the Guest Relations desk, the GAC allows for certain accommodations. There is not a generic GAC for those with autism; instead, each card is issued depending on how the park can best meet the child’s needs.
One example is the use of a stroller in line for a child who gets overwhelmed when standing close by others or does not have the stamina to stand for long periods of time. The Guest Relations Cast Member would place a stamp on the GAC that allows the child to stay in the stroller until it is time to get on the ride.
There are a variety of other accommodations that are made to guests; take time at the beginning of the trip to explain a child with autism’s circumstances and expected needs to the staff. One card will be issued and it is valid for the entire trip.
Planned Downtime
Disneyland is exhausting for even the heartiest of families. The park is quite large and many of the rides are spread out. It is easy to walk several miles each day in the park. Inserting planned downtime into the day’s schedule is a good way to keep everyone refreshed. There are several restaurants onsite and many shaded areas to sit and relax.
Another option is to stay at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels. This allows the entire family to go back to the hotel room for a nap or quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of the park.
Mitigating Sensory Overload
There are many ways that parents of children with autism can use to mitigate sensory overload. A comfortable set of noise-cancelling headphones is a great way to reduce the auditory input that the child experiences while in the park. Having everyone in the family wear sunglasses not only protects the eyes from the sun’s UV rays but also reduces the visual input that a sensory sensitive child receives.
These three ideas are just a few of the many ideas that can be implemented to make a trip to Disneyland an enjoyable one for families that include children with autism. Every child with autism is different and it is important to understand a child’s specific needs when planning a family vacation to Disneyland.
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