Disney with an ADHD child....

[Kellykins1218]

Originally Posted by LoKiHB

Does anyone have any advice for a week in Disney with an ADHD child as far as maximizing his fun and limiting the craziness and defiance?

Thank you in advance for any advice

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[maxiesmom]

In addition to CoP, which you learned the hard way you can't leave once it starts avoid Ellen's Energy Adventure. You can't get off that one once it starts either, and it is 40 minutes long.

Other than that, I think you are right to have a go with the flow attitude. And then don't stress if something does happen. Many kids have not so great moments during their trips. I once had a niece throw herself on the floor, screaming at the Hall of Presidents. And that was before we went in, not during the show. It happens, no big deal.

Have a great trip!

[msmama]

I don't know if this will apply, as my son has more sensory issues, but even though he's getting older, a stroller is a MUST for him.

After riding some rides, he gets in, pulls the sun shade down and just relaxes a bit. We have a City Mini so the shade comes down past his eyes so he can just chill and recover from whatever it is we've been doing.

It keeps us in the parks longer, I think. Otherwise he'd melt down earlier. We also had a long talk about just telling me that he was getting ready to leave (though I explained we might not leave right that minute but we'd start for the exit) but that tantrums wouldn't be tolerated (like I said though, no ODD here so may not work for you). I think just knowing that it would come to an end soon helped him.

[Marthasor]

Originally Posted by msmama

I don't know if this will apply, as my son has more sensory issues, but even though he's getting older, a stroller is a MUST for him.

After riding some rides, he gets in, pulls the sun shade down and just relaxes a bit. We have a City Mini so the shade comes down past his eyes so he can just chill and recover from whatever it is we've been doing.

It keeps us in the parks longer, I think. Otherwise he'd melt down earlier. We also had a long talk about just telling me that he was getting ready to leave (though I explained we might not leave right that minute but we'd start for the exit) but that tantrums wouldn't be tolerated (like I said though, no ODD here so may not work for you). I think just knowing that it would come to an end soon helped him.

I second this. My DS5 has high-functiong autism and sensory processing issues and we go to WDW often. He is big for his age, but I still rent him a stroller so he can chill out and relax between attractions. We keep our expectations pretty low in terms of what we are going to see and do each day and always take a break mid-day.

[PatsMom]

For SWW be prepared for massive crowds - and I mean massive! The last time we were there for SWW, they closed the park to non-WDW guests. People were parking at Epcot, walking through the park, then over the walkway to get to the studios. Once inside, it was gridlock. We were there mostly because my daughter wanted to see what it was like. And I work with a huge Star Wars fan and I told him I would try to get him a special pin or coffee cup. The line for the special merchandise was over an hour long.

Lines for the character pictures were also huge. There are no fast passes for those. But if you son is at all like my niece, he might wait in the lines. My niece is pretty severely ADHD - medication helps but it isn't perfect as you know. But she really, really wanted to meet the Fairies. The line was posted as 45 minutes. I told her I was going to be pretty annoyed if we waited almost an hour and I had to remove her because she was acting up. Much to my surprise, she was very good in line. A little fidgety but nothing out of the ordinary! That was my first experience with her wanting something badly enough that she would do whatever it took to get it! Your son might be like that if he really wants a picture with Chewbacca!

If you go early, you should be able to do some things before the park gets mobbed. Then you could leave early and take advantage of your hotel pool, etc and go back on the next day for more.

Good luck and I hope you have a good trip.

[housetomouse]

Wouldn't do the full days. That's a long day for any kid but harder with ADHD, no matter how much they like Disney or Star Wars. I recommend building in some kind of downtime mid-day, something unstructured without any waiting (swimming, playing in sand, watching cartoons at hotel, etc). Have a good trip!

[Gracedis1]

My six year old has many of the same issues. He had a huge meltdown at Jedi Training 2 years ago. He got scared and backed out, then had a fit when he realized he wasn't going to be able to fight Darth Vader after all. But we went again last year, and he did great and loved it.

I think planning is really important. I think you'll find that he does better this time since he's been exposed to it before. And you know him and what kinds of attractions he likes vs. ones that might not bring out the best in him. And when you sense that he is done for the day, don't try to do more. Get back to the hotel for down time. Make sure he isn't hungry, thirsty, or tired. Schedule in lots of breaks and just free time to play.

On our last trip, the only true fit he had was about souvenirs. Our rule has always been that you can have one souvenir on the last day of the trip. Previously, this has not been a problem. But for some reason, he just had to have his light saber on day 2. He ran screaming from me to the gift shop. I had to hold him in full view of everyone for about 15 minutes until he calmed down. It was awful.

The rest of the trip was great though. He tried lots of rides that he previously thought were too scary, and handled long lines and minor disappointments pretty well. Did we get to do 100% of what we wanted to? No, but there will always be a next trip!

[LoKiHB]

Originally Posted by Kellykins1218

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[LoKiHB]

Originally Posted by PatsMom

For SWW be prepared for massive crowds - and I mean massive! The last time we were there for SWW, they closed the park to non-WDW guests. People were parking at Epcot, walking through the park, then over the walkway to get to the studios. Once inside, it was gridlock. We were there mostly because my daughter wanted to see what it was like. And I work with a huge Star Wars fan and I told him I would try to get him a special pin or coffee cup. The line for the special merchandise was over an hour long.

Lines for the character pictures were also huge. There are no fast passes for those. But if you son is at all like my niece, he might wait in the lines. My niece is pretty severely ADHD - medication helps but it isn't perfect as you know. But she really, really wanted to meet the Fairies. The line was posted as 45 minutes. I told her I was going to be pretty annoyed if we waited almost an hour and I had to remove her because she was acting up. Much to my surprise, she was very good in line. A little fidgety but nothing out of the ordinary! That was my first experience with her wanting something badly enough that she would do whatever it took to get it! Your son might be like that if he really wants a picture with Chewbacca!

If you go early, you should be able to do some things before the park gets mobbed. Then you could leave early and take advantage of your hotel pool, etc and go back on the next day for more.

Good luck and I hope you have a good trip.

Wow, and we're also going Memorial Day Weekend (20-27th). We won't be doing the celebrity lines, and I only plan on waiting on lines where he insists he wants a photo and autograph - and Boba Fett! I want my Boba Fett pic

We plan on getting there before open to see the Stormtroopers and possibly sign up for JTA so he can possibly fight Darth Maul (his favorite).

I've been considering the stroller with a seat since we have our 1 year old as well. Just don't know how a 7 yer old will take to that yes.

Thank you all so much once again for the wealth of advice.

[mesaboy2]

Originally Posted by LoKiHB

Wow, and we're also going Memorial Day Weekend (20-27th). We won't be doing the celebrity lines, and I only plan on waiting on lines where he insists he wants a photo and autograph - and Boba Fett! I want my Boba Fett pic

We plan on getting there before open to see the Stormtroopers and possibly sign up for JTA so he can possibly fight Darth Maul (his favorite).

I've been considering the stroller with a seat since we have our 1 year old as well. Just don't know how a 7 yer old will take to that yes.

Thank you all so much once again for the wealth of advice.

In past years, Boba swaps out with Jango and can be difficult to anticipate, and they may swap while you're in line. If Boba is that important, be prepared for that possibility.

[LoKiHB]

Originally Posted by mesaboy2

In past years, Boba swaps out with Jango and can be difficult to anticipate, and they may swap while you're in line. If Boba is that important, be prepared for that possibility.

Thanks Mesaboy. But Boba Fett is for me. Lol. I plan on doing that wait myself!!!

[DVCajun]

I've been there.

I had success with using a DS or ipod during lines or other wait times. My suggestion is to bring some new games and activities that he has never seen before, and dole them out over the course of your stay. Don't let him see them before you get there if you want the full benefit of this tip.

Also bring some snacks to enjoy during the lines that you don't normally allow them to have. I don't suggest a bunch of high sugar snacks, but some extra special fruit snacks, or fruit rollups that they don't normally get because they're too expensive, and any other treat that falls into that category. That will also buy some happiness during the lines.

I agree with others about a routine and that you're more likely to enjoy your trip if everyone isn't exhausted all the time. Plan some down time at the resort. The pool is a great energy buster, and gives you some breathing space as well. After a couple of hours at the pool, some chill time watching cartoons, or taking a little nap will get everyone refreshed and ready for another round at the parks.

I pair baby steps with small rewards, i.e. "if you are quiet and respectful while we're in this line, you'll earn a Mickey bar when we get off of the ride." The reward can vary, and can be as small as a piece of gum or as large as one of the games you're hoarding. Just one step at a time, and it's more manageable for both of you. The most important part of this tip is that you follow through, not only with the reward, but with WITHHOLDING the reward if he actually doesn't earn it. If you give in and give him the reward when he throws a fit about not getting it, you'll lose any leverage you might have the next time you offer a reward based upon good behavior.

Good luck.