Hi Sarah Amanda,
Welcome to planDisney, and greetings from a mama of an Autistic Mouseketeer! I'm excited to hear that you and your family will be visiting The Most Magical Place on Earth early next year, and I'd be happy to share some tips to help the trip go smoothly for everyone in your family.
First, I'd recommend checking out this helpful
Guide for Guests with Cognitive Disabilities. As you mentioned, there's a wide spectrum when it comes to individual needs, but this guide addresses many potential concerns and is a great place to start. I'd also encourage you to check out all of the helpful
services for Guests with Disabilities, specifically the
services for Guests with Cognitive Disabilities. Are you concerned about your Mouseketeer waiting in traditional queues? If so, you'll definitely want to consider chatting with a Cast Member about the
Disability Access Service. It's recently gone through some upgrades, and Guests are now able to pre-register for this service, schedule up to two attractions per day ahead of time, and utilize the handy dandy
My Disney Experience app to make selections in the parks.
I also want to encourage you that you know your kiddos best and what will make them feel comfortable. Please feel free to bring things like sensory toys, headphones, snacks, etc., and be willing to move at their pace. All of us function best when we're well-rested, well-fed, and hydrated, so be sure to build in some downtime during your trip. It can be tempting to be on the go constantly, but a peaceful and fun day at your
Disney Resort hotel can be just as magical as time in the parks!
I hope this helps, Sarah Amanda! Thanks so much for visiting us at planDisney, and please let us know if you have any other questions or we can help with anything else. I hope you and your family have a truly magical vacation!
Missy