We Have to Be Real So We Can Be Ready: Disney and the Autism Family

Help, four months until we leave for Disney.  I know.... not exactly a problem.  I am asking these questions WAY in advance because I am a planner.  I need you advice.  I need your tips and tricks.  We've been to Disney with the girls before...before the diagnosis...before the mountains of help and support...before we knew for sure.  Kate hadn't even turned two.  

Like a large number of parents of soon to be diagnosed children, we thought Kate was hearing impaired.  I guess she technically was hearing impaired because her ears were so full of fluid that she was hearing as if underwater.  She had the surgery to place tubes in her ears and then we could no longer blame her hearing for her funny behavior.  I can practically hear some of you nodding your heads through the computer.  I know you went through this, too.  I know when you lost the ability to blame their hearing you entered a whole new faze of this trek.  In fact, our trip to Disney two years ago solidified all my fears about Kate.  You can read more about that in our diagnosis story. 

Autism or not, Kate was under two years old when we first made our way to Disney and we knew it would not be easy.  On that trip we had the luxury of staying at the Polynesian Resort with the monorail at our doorstop and we had 6 adults and three little girls to share between us.  It was a recipe for success and most things went off without a hitch.  Alex, is afraid to fly. (I don't think he'll mind me saying that.)  Honestly, he should be medicated but instead we hand him Kate and he is so busy taking care of her he forgets his own paralyzing fear.  It's kind of a win/win.  For me, anyway.

This trip will be different for a few reasons.  We are going alone; just the four of us.  We are staying off resort.  We are renting a car.  It will be a little less convenient but we will make it work.  Like last time, we will sit Alex and Kate together on the plane and Grace and I will relax and watch movies ;).  I want both girls to have a blast and I know they will but I am particularly interested in making sure Grace does not feel held back. 

We will ask for the Guest Assistance Pass at the concierge of each park we visit.  (I am not entirely sure what this will entail.)

What else should I know?  What can I do to make this as seamless as possible?  Are there accommodations that can be made when we fly?  Will I be liable if I become violent if someone says something rude to Kate on the plane or at the parks? You know...the usual questions?

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Grace was the biggest help. She was comfort for Kate when things were overwhelming. Hell, she was comfort for all of us. My favorite pictures are the ones where the girls are hugging. I promise these are not set ups. I am raising a couple of huggers which is funny because if you know me....

If I knew then what I know now! Those damn ears. They were driving her nuts. Don't worry, she wore them just for this picture and then we let it go. I hate to only post the good pictures because then expectations are so high and the memories are skewed towards the good. We have to be real, so we can be ready.