11 Year old with sensory issues?

[Hisgirl]

We'd like to bring our daughter with her two kids, a 9 yr girl and 11 yr boy. The boy was diagnosed as autistic when he was a toddler but does go to regular class now and the only symptoms are some eating and sensory challenges.
His mama just now expressed concern for how he would react to the parks and I'd love to hear about the experiences of others.

He's highly inquisitive and intelligent and I think he would be fascinated by the whole enginerring marvel of it all. But not sure about the crowds and noises and foods.

Any advice?

 

[RivGirl]

You are such a thoughtful grandparent to think about this and take into account his needs!

My son is not autistic but has a different neurodivergent diagnosis, and does experience sensory overload, especially related to travel. He really struggled at moments during his first two trips to Disney. All kids have a meltdown or a tantrum at some point, I think, but his response to the overwhelming stimuli was next level IMO and honestly broke my heart a bit.

Being the Disney lover that I am, I was determined to figure out how to make Disney “work” for him. We have now had two successful trips in a row.

Bonus - I think all of us enjoy it more at this new pace! Here are some things that help us:

- Lower expectations and acknowledge that travel days in particular are hard on little bodies. We like to have a full no park day to recover from the travel day before we hit up a park.
- Do not do fireworks or other evening parades in the parks. Maybe Fantasmic can work, if not too tired.
- Family style table service work best for us, because they just bring out all of the food and kiddo is free to sample what he wants. No hard menu decisions to make when he’s hungry and tapped out but “nothing sounds good.” Restaurants in particular have been a source of tears - it’s the crushing pressure of making a decision that gets to him - but never at a family style restaurant like Woody’s Roundup BBQ or Garden Grill.
- Place a greater emphasis, or at least equal emphasis, on the little shows and movies and exhibits moreso than the rides. My son does love rides, but things like Mickey’s Philharmagic or the DuckTales Scavenger Hunt (a game played inside the park using an app on your phone) in EPCOT are what really bring him joy in the midst of the chaos.
- Definitely use LLMP and a service like Standby Skipper to reduce time spent waiting in enclosed spaces.
- Both of my kids prefer to leave the parks by dinner time, have a quiet dinner at the resort, then watch the resort movie, go for a night swim, or just go to bed. The parks at night, with the bright lights and the crowds assembling for fireworks, can be pretty overwhelming.
- Don’t rope drop if it means cheating kiddo of their normal sleep hours. Or if you do, try to do it after a rest day and a good bedtime.
- If you stay out late, don’t get up early.
- If you get up early, don’t plan to stay out late.
- Plan at least one rest day for every two park days…better if you can do every other day.
- Avoid World Showcase in the late afternoon and onwards as it just becomes a messy sea of people.
- Animal Kingdom is probably the best park for exploring quietly. The nature trails and the train ride out to Rafiki’s are usually not crowded. (Notwithstanding the arrival of Baby Bakso…maybe avoid the Tiger Trek for now)
- EPCOT is the best park for movies and shows!
- Resorts are great places to explore outside of the parks!
- Above all, I think you have to go in with the mindset of: we’re here to enjoy the parks at whatever pace and level works for us. We are going to pay for our park tickets, and we are just going to consider the cost of those park tickets as part of the cost of the whole vacation and experience. It’s okay if we don’t “milk” our park days to the extreme.

I mentioned this account on another post recently, but it’s worth mentioning again. @dintroverts on Instagram is a wealth of tips and info on how to to find quiet spots, places to rest, avoid crowds etc. https://www.instagram.com/dintroverts

 

[Hisgirl]

@RivGirl what a fantastic response! Thank you! Due to time restraints, we won't be able to take a day off but you gave me a good idea.
Instead of doing our normal day, I'm going to ask him to start researching Walt Disney and how he created the magic of WDW and have HIM educate us as we move through the park.
He loves to learn things and this might work!

 

[elvispursley]

@RivGirl what a fantastic response! Thank you! Due to time restraints, we won't be able to take a day off but you gave me a good idea.
Instead of doing our normal day, I'm going to ask him to start researching Walt Disney and how he created the magic of WDW and have HIM educate us as we move through the park.
He loves to learn things and this might work!

If you subscribe (or his family does), there are a lot of shows that show the creating of Disneyland/WDW. We love the series Behind The Attraction. I know there are a lot of books on the subject too.

 

[Lumpy1106]

3 words, noise cancelling headphones. DD has sensory issues and does get overwhelmed. Usually she could just throw the headphones on and deal pretty well. There are quieter parts of the parks if you know where to look (Canada waterfalls for one). It's a delicate balance, but there comes a time when you just need to step away from the parks and chill. Be prepared for at least one parent to take some time away and do that. It does not mean the whole family has to leave the park.

 

[lanejudy]

A few more suggestions:
Sunglasses, hat, and/or lightweight hoodie to block visual sensory.
Earmuffs for sound blocking.
Fidget toys to occupy hands.
Stick as close as possible to regular daily schedule — bedtime, waking, meals.

 

[HopperFan]

@RivGirl what a fantastic response! Thank you! Due to time restraints, we won't be able to take a day off but you gave me a good idea.
Instead of doing our normal day, I'm going to ask him to start researching Walt Disney and how he created the magic of WDW and have HIM educate us as we move through the park.
He loves to learn things and this might work!

Look for these books on eBay

The Imagineering Field Guide to .... four books, MK, Epcot, DHS, AK. They are smaller and narrow so he could even take in to park. Studying them ahead will make him the source of all interesting information. They are cool books, I have the set. Your own personal tour guide.



And as far as overstimulating, does he use ear plugs. My son uses the clear silicone. Completely unnoticed by others but work well to buffer from sudden or overstimulating noise. Years ago he wore small headphones with his iPod turning on music when he wanted peace. Also a hat and sunglasses often help him to buffer from stimulus.

I did find the hard way when we started going more often, stick to his normal eating times. When I didn't he had a much harder time.