RC Special needs in Adventure Ocean (Oasis)

[HummerMan3]

We're several weeks out from cruising with our special needs 4 year old and had questions for those who may have had experience in this. Without delving too much into our specifics, he was born a micro-premie and has some delays as a result of that: trouble with fine and gross motor skills, some stereotyped behaviors, a short attention span, poor speech articulation. He's not autistic, and can hold conversations, has reasonably normal intellect, and engages with his peers.

We haven't yet reached out to RC's Special Needs program, but were hoping to allow him to participate in the Adventure Ocean kids club. The particular concerns I have are:

 

1. Although he is potty trained, he doesn't have the strength or dexterity to pull down/pull up his pants or rip toilet paper, though he does wipe himself.

2. He sometimes doesn't listen, particularly when transitioning to a new activity or if he is engrossed in his own thoughts. He can be redirected if the instructor is patient and repeats the request.

 

Otherwise, I think he would enjoy the program. I know that RC is one of the better cruise lines for kids with special needs, but do either of these issues preclude him from participating? We will of course discuss with RC, but wanted to see if there are any tips/recommendations prior to that.

[TEGL]

1. Typically they can not help kids in the restroom but its worth speaking to the AO staff directly about the exact needs and maybe they can help. Otherwise they will give you a cell phone and call you when/if he needs to use the restroom so that you can help with his pants/shorts.

2. While they can not provide 1:1 support they can help with things like this but you have to talk to the OA staff directly and go over his needs so they are fully aware. Their Autism on the Seas' Advisory Team has done autism awareness training (and although I know he is not on the spectrum things such as helping kiddos with transitions would be something they have been trained in). All youth staff is required to have a 4 year university degree in the related field AND they all have to have 3-4 years of qualified experience. I think they will be more than happy to help assist your kiddo in this area - just make it clear to the staff and they will do their best to help.

 

These issues will no impact him not being able to participate - the only thing is if he needed 1:1. They have a great staff (this is our 3rd cruise with them and we have 2 ASD kiddos). They also offer social stories you can get off the website, if that can help your little guy prepare for the vacation and they have a great Toy Lending Program which we always hit up on Day 1 cause the good kits go fast.

[HummerMan3]

1. Typically they can not help kids in the restroom but its worth speaking to the AO staff directly about the exact needs and maybe they can help. Otherwise they will give you a cell phone and call you when/if he needs to use the restroom so that you can help with his pants/shorts.

2. While they can not provide 1:1 support they can help with things like this but you have to talk to the OA staff directly and go over his needs so they are fully aware. Their Autism on the Seas' Advisory Team has done autism awareness training (and although I know he is not on the spectrum things such as helping kiddos with transitions would be something they have been trained in). All youth staff is required to have a 4 year university degree in the related field AND they all have to have 3-4 years of qualified experience. I think they will be more than happy to help assist your kiddo in this area - just make it clear to the staff and they will do their best to help.

 

These issues will no impact him not being able to participate - the only thing is if he needed 1:1. They have a great staff (this is our 3rd cruise with them and we have 2 ASD kiddos). They also offer social stories you can get off the website, if that can help your little guy prepare for the vacation and they have a great Toy Lending Program which we always hit up on Day 1 cause the good kits go fast.

 

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for. Alleviates some of my anxiety on the situation. He is fine in normal preschool settings without 1:1, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem for us. I heard about the lending program but not the vacation prep stories; I'll have to check those out. Again, thanks!

[KimA75]

I agree that normally they would not assist in bathroom functions- but it is worth asking about this one. If he cleans himself and only needs assistance with clothing and paper, I would think they would be able to work with this.

 

I know they will be fine with repeating directions and redirecting. My 8 year old has high functioning autism and ADHD. So, his attention is definitely not always with the program. However, they handled him without any issue. I also had my 3 year old in there last year. It looked like they had different activities running at one time so if a child didn't want to participate in one thing they could do something else.