ASD and DisneyWorld

We took LG to Disneyworld....and he had a fantastic time. We did learn a few lessons along the way. 1) Disney will let guests with developmental disabilities park in the disabled/medical parking lot--even without a state issued tag. Basically, we just told told the attendent about LG's need and they said no problem. (We didn't know this going in and only found out when I asked who I should give the letter to) 2) I had a letter in hand from his doctor explaining his issues and detailing his needs. Disney's employees really made extra, extra special accodomations to meet those needs. We took the letter to guest services. 3) We learned to start to the left in Magic Kingdom. More of the rides/attractions are in shade and air conditioned in Tomorrowland than Adventureland. I'm afraid I only learned this after LG had a full meltdown. 4) Disney cast not only allow but even suggested getting a "stroller as wheelchair" sticker from guest services. We were able to avoid post ride tantrums by transitioning directly to the stroller. The only ride that thsi didn't work on was Pirates of the Carribean--they kept moving the stroller! This also kept him from being exhausted from tip toe walking. 5) Sometimes the accomodations immediately available didn't meet LG's need. For instance, he is VERY heat sensitive, as was indicated in the letter from the doctor. Because of this, the Doctor actually specified that LG could NOT wait in the sun (he can literally collapse). At some rides, even the accessible entrance is in direct sun. For those rides, LG was able to wait in an alternate shade/air conditioned location. I learned that it never hurts to ask! 6) Character members are obviously educated about ASD, and once told of LG's needs, interacted with him on his level. 7) The monorail can be very crowded, but the cast can make accomodation for guests with pinchy fingers and meltdown issues. When we alert cast members to LG's crowd agitation, they were able to get him into a nearly empty carriage. ((It made a huge difference between me getting bit and pinched and a calmer end to the day!!)) And most important, LG seemed to really take a big developmental step at Disney that has carried over into other areas. We're seeing fewer tantrums during transitions (though he's usually not terrrible at transitions anyway), and he seems to be more involved in the world. BTW, the family relinquished. It looks like LG will be home forever now.