My eldest son, Jake, is autistic. Diagnosed at the age of three, he is now a joyful and thriving six-year-old who recently started kindergarten. Last spring, our family, including my husband, Jake, my in-laws, and my sister-in-law’s family, set off for an exciting adventure to Disney World in Orlando—a journey that exceeded my expectations.
Initially, I approached the trip with low expectations, particularly regarding Jake’s enjoyment. To my surprise, he was highly engaged and had a fantastic time. I also discovered valuable insights that transformed my approach to parenting all three of my sons.
1. Recognizing His Uniqueness is Essential
During our time at Disney, Jake spent about 75% of the day in his stroller, often wearing noise-canceling headphones while watching Netflix. A few years ago, I would have insisted he join in on rides and attractions like his neurotypical siblings. Instead, he found happiness simply sitting in his stroller, watching the world go by and occasionally interacting with characters. He even developed a fascination with trading pins, which turned out to be a wonderful and surprisingly affordable activity. Over the past three years, I’ve learned to embrace his unique way of experiencing the world, and I’m grateful I let him dictate how he wanted to enjoy Disney.
2. It’s Okay to Advocate for Him
On our third day at Disney, we had reservations at Chef Mickey’s, but we faced a challenge: strollers needed to be parked outside. Jake was overstimulated and reluctant to leave his stroller, even though he was excited about brunch with Mickey. After some back and forth, my husband confidently approached the staff and explained our situation, allowing us to bring the stroller inside. I realized that my fear of being too pushy had previously prevented Jake from fully enjoying what turned out to be his favorite part of our trip. Note: I later learned that Disney offers a “Stroller as a Wheelchair” pass, which could have simplified our experience.
3. Letting Go of Others’ Opinions
As Dua Lipa might say, “I don’t give a f***.” While I do care to an extent, I tried to care less during our trip. At Chef Mickey’s, Jake was uninterested in the food, opting to sit in his stroller with the hood up and headphones on. I noticed others looking at us, and my initial reaction was to feel judged. But then I decided I wouldn’t let their opinions affect us. Throughout the trip, whether it was choosing bubbles over meeting characters or handling meltdowns, I focused on ensuring my sons had the best vacation possible without worrying about what others thought.
4. The Importance of Seeking Support
Perhaps the most significant lesson from our Disney experience was the necessity of asking for help. I typically try to manage everything on my own, but I learned that leaning on others—like Disney staff or my in-laws, who babysat for us—made our trip much more enjoyable. Once we returned to our everyday life, I committed to remembering this lesson and asking for help more often because it truly makes parenting easier.
Traveling to Disney World with my son taught me invaluable lessons about acceptance, advocacy, and community support. The memories we created together will last a lifetime, and I’m grateful I allowed Jake to experience the magic in his own way.
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Summary
A trip to Disney with my autistic son revealed crucial parenting lessons: acceptance of his unique experiences, the importance of advocating for him, letting go of others’ judgment, and recognizing the need for support. These insights not only enhanced our Disney adventure but also transformed my everyday parenting approach.
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