Adults With Autism Love Disney Too!

I’m thrilled to be on Kathy’s blog today.  I’ve known Kathy online for over five years, and am thrilled to be here.  You can usually find me at Walt Disney World:  it’s Not Just for Kids where I blog about being an adult Disney fan.  I recently posted a rant on my blog about adult Disney fans and those adults who have autism.  Kathy saw it, and asked me to expand in a guest post.  My post will have three parts-I will suggest that you be understanding, empathetic, and pro-active.

In a way, I think that Kathy’s blog is a great place to post this post. Not only do I consider her to be a great WDW autism guru, but as I’ve known her both her kids have gotten older.  It seems to me that while there is at least a peripheral bit of autism awareness among the general public for children, it’s not there as much for adults.  I have contemporaries who have autism, many may be Disney fans.  If you are a person, or travel with a person, whose diagnosis is on the autism spectrum, you are fortunate that there are many resources to help you with your trip.  However, if you are not traveling with a person who has autism, you should try to be understanding and non-judgmental toward people who seems to be behaving differently (wearing hunting earmuffs, repeating something over and over again).  Alternately, may I implore that you not judge (or make snarky comments) towards people who seem “fine” or “normal,” but have guest access passes or wheelchairs?

Try putting yourself in another person’s shoes.  Here’s one way to do that - food.  Many people who have autism diagnoses eat a gluten-free diet.  When you are in a store at WDW, look over and check out the gluten-free options.  On one hand, WDW is awesome at gluten-free options.  On the other hand, imagine being limited to the gluten-free options:  no crispy rice Mickey heads for you. 

I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that if you’re reading this post, you might have a touch too much Disney vacation knowledge.  So share it!  Tell someone you think could use it about Guest Access Passes, chewelry, or whatever you think could help.

In conclusion, I ask that you be understanding and caring towards your fellow visitors.

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Many thanks to Heather for helping to spread Autism awareness and understanding! Please visit her blog, Walt Disney World: it's Not Just For Kids. (That is so very true, isn't it?!)

Thanks for reading,