Travel Tips for Autism Families | Disney World Edition 🌟🪄🏰

This summer my autistic family took a gamble and went to DISNEY WORLD! This was my kids’ first ever amusement park experience, and we learned A LOT. The bottom line is: autistic families can have a great time at Disney World! This video showcases my top tips for managing your trip.
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🪄 🎆 Disney Scavenger Hunt for Family Trip Reveal: www.momonthespectrum.life/dis...
Mom on the Spectrum website: www.momonthespectrum.life
✨🏰 🎆 SPECIAL NEEDS DISNEY TRAVEL AGENT | Kimberly Roos
www.yourtravelmouse.com
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Meltdown Survival Guide: www.momonthespectrum.life/mel...
Disney DAS Pass (Disability Access Service): disneyworld.disney.go.com/gue...
Video: How DAS Pass Works: • Disney DAS Pass | Disa...
Motion Sickness Wristbands: amzn.to/3BvqBy7
My Disney Experience App for Planning Your Trip: disneyworld.disney.go.com/pla...
👚 AUTISTIC AF Shirt: momonthespectrum.teemill.com/...
🍴Special Dietary Needs at Disney World: allears.net/special-dietary-n...
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⏰ TIMESTAMPS ⌛️
Click on any of the timestamps below to jump to a specific section of the video.
Establish Home Base First (1:49)
Eat and Hydrate (2:16)
Dramamine (2:47)
Rent a Stroller (3:16)
Tag Your Stroller as a Wheelchair (3:53)
Watch Videos to Set Expectations (4:07)
Go Over Plans Every Morning (4:48)
Use the DAS Pass (5:38)
Be Mindful of Transitions (6:14)
Regulate with Deep Pressure (7:20)
Reservations and Food Allergies (7:32)
Have the Next Meal Planned Out (8:40)
Order Food Through The My Disney Experience App (9:07)
Bring Portable Chargers (9:31)
Go With The Flow (10:21)
Find Blue Umbrellas for Help (10:48)
Find the Right Time to Go (11:03)
DISCLAIMER: Taylor Heaton is not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional. Her services do not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. Please note that Taylor can’t take any responsibility for the results of your actions, nor any harm or damage you suffer as a result of the use, or non-use of the information available through her website, KZbin Channel, or social media accounts. Please use judgment and conduct due diligence before taking any action or implementing any plan or practice suggested or recommended by Taylor Heaton or Mom on the Spectrum. Please note that Taylor doesn't make any guarantees about the results of the information you may apply from her website, KZbin channel, and/or social media accounts. Taylor shares educational and informational resources that are intended to help you succeed in navigating life as an autistic adult. You nevertheless need to know that your outcome will be the result of your own efforts, your particular situation, and innumerable other circumstances beyond Taylor's knowledge and control. Taylor is an Amazon affiliate and may receive commissions on qualifying purchases from affiliate links. Taylor is a Flare affiliate and may receive commissions on qualifying purchases from Flare links.
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#actuallyautistic #momonthespectrum #autisticadult

[@pawstoys1386]

As an autistic person who just went to Disney world with other autistic people, I want to say the DAS pass is like the best thing ever (I have only tried as a teenager with parents not an adult) We enjoyed it very much on how you can avoid over stimulating lines, stim and walk around while you wait, not have to worry too much on time when we have poor time awareness, and be respected by the Disney employees when they know you are on the spectrum. Stim toys/comfort items help as well. If you don’t like Disney, don’t go it can be very visually over stimulating. We wore headphones and sunglasses to help a lot out with the overstimulation though sometimes it made it feel worse (stuff touching your skin/head). I also liked how I could wear my headphones on rides with my sunglasses. I also saw other autistic people allowed to use strollers or their chewier which was also very nice. I have visited animal kingdom and magic kingdom, though I never used DAS at magic kingdom. I do recommend not staying over 2-3 hours at a time. Rewards are definitely nice after the hard day. The music and lights are also super loud and make sure to avoid the fireworks and crowds if you can.

[@MomontheSpectrum]

Great suggestions! Thanks so much for taking the time to share here.

[@TheJollyWizard]

First time I went to disney I was 15, I didn't know I was autistic, needless to say it wasn't as fun a trip as it could've been. I'm going to plan another trip and hopefully it will be better

[@nolanogrady6528]

I'm so glad that you were about to work out the best solutions to accommodate your family in Disney. Although I've never been to Disney before, I travel a lot as and understand how difficult transitions can be adjusting to new environments and the change in schedule. Schedule changes can be hard as an autistic adult even when it's a really happy change. Self awareness of it being a transition for me I find it very helpful.

[@anzacbiscuts3399]

I would recommend decorating the window for your room (this is totally allowed and very common!) it’s a great way to get kids involved on day one and it helps identify the room!

[@drubetz3058]

Tips for two things you mentioned: 1) portable chargers- Most resorts and each park will have "FuelRod" vending machines. For $30 you get a small portable battery with multiple adapters, when the battery is dead you can swap it out for a fresh one or just recharge it at the room if you are done for the day. 2) Restaurant Reservations - a) Adult picky eaters might get a little frustrated at the sit-down food menus. The chefs like to get fancy with ingredients, especially if there is a regional theme. b) for last minute reservations don't just check in the Disney app also check the Open Table app.

[@sarahboxall9349]

Just listening to the planning stage has me exhausted. Thanks though, gives perspective I need, not for Disney - I would never- but I am struggling deciding whether to include/force 16yr old,recently diagnosed ASD1, to family outings and trips. Even just dinners out have me ripping my hair out, but then I forget and we do it all over again. He understands and doesn't mind either way, says he feels more bad we can't do it the way we want to but wouldn't feel sad being left out.

[@MomontheSpectrum]

sounds like a lot to think about. I can appreciate that you are trying to better understand where they're coming from!

[@katethegreat7333]

Thank you thank you thank you!!! My 3 kids, husband and I have adhd/AUHD and this is so helpful!

[@Paisley...]

Hi Tyler, thank you for another wonderful video! I don't have kids and have never been to such a park since I had to in school(a much smaller one though). You give so much advice on planning and spending your time there, it sounds manageable, even fun😉. Your tips are so helpful, especially for people on the autistic spectrum. Thank you so much for all the work you put in your channel, looking forward to watching your videos. Greetings from Germany, Verena

[@aquamarine13yt]

You are so awesome for all this!! I find myself struggling with some things you mentioned despite even being a coaster enthusiast and loving rides and found myself relating to the ways you used to tackle them :] great job

[@MomontheSpectrum]

thanks for your comment!

[@whitneymason406]

Thank you for sharing this! Some day I'd love to go so these are very helpful tips! 💞

[@MomontheSpectrum]

Ive been dreaming about going back!

[@78pettibone]

Thanks for the vid. I’m headed to WDW with my family and your Das Pass vid was SUPER HELPFUL. I was watching it as I walked through the steps of getting Das Pass for our trip. Loved the tip about the stroller as a wheel chair and letting the kids decide where to go. We go in just a few days and I was looking forward to hearing how your trip went. THANKS AGAIN!

[@MomontheSpectrum]

Yay!! Have a great trip!!

[@ladyclodia]

After I watched your video on the DAS pass, I talked to my husband and kids and we made plans to go to DisneyWorld for our younger son's 11th birthday this November! Before I saw that I didn't think there was any way we would be able to manage a place like DisneyWorld, but now I'm excited, although I still have a lot to do! I made dining reservations today, and even though this was the first week I could make reservations, I should have done it the first day it was available to me because some of the restaurants were already full. We will use Quick Service options for most of our meals, though. Thank you for all of the tips!

[@MomontheSpectrum]

you're welcome! And keep an eye on those reservations - if there is a restaurant you were really wanting, people cancel reservations all of the time, especially the week of the trip because their plans change. AND forgot to mention - pack headphones!! Have a great trip!

[@ladyclodia]

@@MomontheSpectrum Thank you for the advice! I think I'm going to order Loop earplugs for both of my boys for the trip too, as well as bringing headphones. My Loops really helped me over the July 4th festivities this year. I have the Flare earplugs too, but I think I prefer the Loops because they're more obvious.

[@haroldgifford852]

Good ideas! 👍Good travel tips. 🛩🎈🌈

[@MomontheSpectrum]

Thanks Harold!

[@lauramclain2870]

I am an Austistic adult and have been goin to DW over the years all of my life, many many times. all things Disney is one of the things in my life that I study and fixate on almost every day. I never have problems on the rides or viewing attractions except for being so close to all of the people. I have never used the DAS pass, but that seems like it would be so helpful for me. The lines really set off my anxiety and I’ve had more than a few quiet meltdowns that I feel I could have avoided by using it. Sometimes I have trouble sleeping because of the overstimulation of the day, but I can use a sleep aid to help with that. I love the overstimulation at DW and am totally absorbed while in the parks trying to see and do and learn as much as I can. It always exhausts me, but it seems to be the one place on the planet I feel comfortable being out and about. It’s like being on another planet for me and I try to leave the outside world outside the gates and just enjoy the time their and not think too much or worry. My family always makes a pact to leave all our problems and worries at home for the duration of the trip, enjoy each others company and get along peacefully and stress over nothing! It doesn’t take as much effort as you’d think and we always have stellar vacations! It can be done! Lol. I tend to overplan for meals and ride times, but have learned that if something goes off schedule, no one is going to die. I just breath deep and reset and it always works out, sometimes something even better pops up! The advise here is all great. Please be sure your kids have strollers. It’s a necessity for them and you! I’ve even pushed my parents in wheel chairs there and was fine. We don’t leave the parks for breaks. We just schedule sit down meals for one meal a day and be sure to sit a rest a lot. We eat snacks and counter service meals inside in the cool as well. One tip would be to go see The Hall of Presidents in the hot part of the day and take a half hour nap in the dark cool theater. I’ve never seen it that half the audience wasn’t asleep themselves! Good way to recharge your batteries. No disrespect, Mr. Lincoln. I’ve written enough papers about you to know I love you.😂 in EPCOT the place would be the American Adventure, but it’s a little louder. One lady last time broke out a loaf of bread and some PBJ and chowed down on a sandwich in the middle of the show! Guess she was on a tight schedule or something. Lol

[@MomontheSpectrum]

Haha love your insight so much! Thanks for sharing. Great tips. Makes me want to go back!

[@scarvajalino]

Love your video. I’m going in one month thanks

[@MomontheSpectrum]

yay! I hope you have a blast. Which parks are you going to?

[@scarvajalino]

@@MomontheSpectrum to all Disney parks, not water parks

[@winniebowser4447]

Thanks for the video :) My sister lives near Disney and wants to take me when I visit her

[@MomontheSpectrum]

I hope you get the chance to go and have a blast!

[@richiebir5396]

Can you make some videos of you playing the piano please?

[@MomontheSpectrum]

Thank you for this request! :) I'll try to add some more. I have a few on my tiktok account: @taylor_heaton_

[@megandaustin]

Which rides are included with das pass? I didn’t see it in the link

[@maiaruby8768]

I've really enjoyed your channel over the last few weeks it's been very helpful thanks so much . I was kind of surprised when I heard you use language like special needs I know it's a bit controversial I was wondering if you could make a video on disabled language Specifically autistic language

[@MomontheSpectrum]

Thanks for this suggestion!

[@passaggioalivello]

Hi Tay. Several years ago, I was a cast member in Disneyland Paris. It was a sensory nightmare.

[@MomontheSpectrum]

Wow! How long did you stay with that? What were some of your roles? Just curious if you are interested in sharing!

[@passaggioalivello]

@@MomontheSpectrum Sure. It was 2008 and my autism awareness was ages from being discovered. I worked in the Village as a cowboy. But I felt overwhelmed, and my severe depression didn't help. I didn't pass my trial period.

[@richiebir5396]

Yesterday was my birthday

[@MomontheSpectrum]

🎉🎈🥳 HAPPPPPPPPYYYY BIIIIIRRTHDAAAAAAAAY!!!!! :)

[@allieware90]

Happy birthday! 🎂