AHDH Child and WDW

[Bussey]

My 4-yr son has been recently dianogised with ADHD. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or advice to make our family trip a little easier or happier. He is a great kid, but gets bored real easy and does have melt downs when he doesn't get his way and we are also worried about the plane ride. We are hoping he doesn't freak out at the airport and not want to get on the plane...Oh my to think about that makes me sweat...

 

[eeyore0062]

Since you know the time of day your child has the best tolerance, plan to be in the parks at that time. When he starts to get restless, take a break by going to eat something, go back for a swim, etc. Keep him on the same schedule to which he is accustommed at home, so it doesn't upset him.

Good luck and I hope that you have a nice time!

 

[gillian1]

Don't want to be rude or start a debate, but is he on any medicatoin? ADHD medication can do wonders for some children, if it is taken correctly and under the watchful eye of a good doctor. Maybe start a reward scheme i.e for every good thing (even the little things) he does between now and your holiday let him pick something he would like to do ( a particular ride etc). If he is really good like not losing his temper in certain situations where he would normally, let him pick 2 things. Of course everytime he is naughty or loses his temper take 1 thing away. I know this sounds really simple but it can really help.
Also for the plane journey, just keep him busy, busy, busy. Books, colouring, travel games, gameboy etc
We traveled with an autistic 8 year old in july from the UK (very long flight) whos tempers are unexplainable (very very hard to stop once they start)and every one just concentrated on keeping him busy. It was fine and even if he does act up, Just try to keep calm don't worry about anyone else on the plane just concentrate on him.
Hope something here will help.
Good luck and enjoy your holiday.

 

[DJBounce]

You might want to post the same question over on the DisAbilities board. There are lots of parents over there who have similar issues.

 

[figmentfan1]

Our son is ADHD (dx'ed in June) but has always been on the tempermental/meltdown side! He now takes meds and they are helping, but he still has his moments. We took a plane trip to VA (3hrs) in May and he did great. Just pack a backpack with lots of activities... new toys (dollar store is a good place to find cheap stuff), I also took my laptop and he watched a DVD... that was good too. Keep him entertained... if he melts down, don't let it ruin your vacation, just remember that's part of it! Make sure to tell him what you expect of him BEFORE the activity.. "We are going to get on the big plane now, you will have to sit in your seat with your seatbelt on, just like the car. Mommy brought toys for you, but it is going to be a long trip and you will have to be patient and good." (Pointing out things out the window is always a good distraction too). You may want to pick up the book "The Gift of ADHD"... gives you a new perspective on your child. They are different in so many wonderful ways!

Good luck and HAVE FUN.... (try not to lose your temper!!)

je

 

[Bussey]

Thank you for the replies, I guess the main thing I need to remember is to stay calm with him even though vacations know matter what can be stressful, he is so excited to see Minnie and "she" calls often on his play phone to talk about the plane ride and the rides there at the park. We even took a trip to mall of america to ride rides to get him use to the noise level and the crowds and he did pretty good there, of course he got tired and a little cranky, but so did I hehehehe....So thanks for all the suggestions and advice and more than anything the encouragement.... Sometimes that is the most important thing to hear!!!!!!

 

[ShariVT]

When we took my a friends son with adhd he was 10 at the time we had moments and we would just look for a out of the way place and sit down for a few mins. My friends moto has always been that the adhd is why he acting this way but adhd is not an excuse to act badly he has always known what is expected of him and he mostly does fine. We gave him dramamine for he plan ride helped keep him calm, as he does get car sick. My friend only medicates for school but by day 3 at disney she gave he the meds and the rest of the week was better for all of us and he even said the same thing. You can take a drs note and try to get a guest assisted pass to help by pass the lines.
Good Luck

 

[wilma-bride]

There was a question about this on the DISabilities board recently and got some excellent replies so it might be worth you having a look.

However, here is my tuppence worth:

My daughter is 12 and was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 5. Her symptoms sound similar to your DS - impatient, bored easily, highly strung, quick tempered and can also be rude and speak without thinking (although she is not violent, thank the Lord).

Whenever we go anywhere that involves a long journey or any sort of planning, I always involve her in it 100%. A goo didea at Disney might be to give your DS a spare map, so he can follow on the map where you are heading. Tell him in advance what you will be doing for, say, the next hour and ask him what he would like to do. Plan in a treat for him (not necessarily food or drink but perhaps a ride or see the characters) each stage of the way and tell him what that will be.

Another thing to consider is diet. I don't know how ADHD is treated in the States but in UK children are recommended to follow a certain diet - this means cutting out things like E numbers (particularly colourings), Aspartame (found in diet drinks) and caramel-type stuff. Although my daughter now eats pretty well what she likes, she was on a very strict diet up until 6 months ago. Whenever she did have anything with E-numbers or Aspartame, you could see a difference in her behaviour immediately.

I hope you have a great time and your DS enjoys his time in WDW.

 

[staylor]

My DS 9 has ADHD. He was diagnosed around 4 yrs. old. He also is hard of hearing and wears a hearing aid in his right ear. Needless to say, he is very apprehensive about riding on airplanes even though I am a flight attendant and we fly all of the time. The front half of the plane is quieter than the back half. So we always try to sit in the front half. He has a game boy that he always brings on the plane. I allow him to play it with headphones on or no sound. ALso, I see many children with their own DVD player now. This really seems to help children focus on something else rather than "where" they are. Just make sure to have headphones.
We also give our DS a map when we are at the parks, he loves to tell us where we are and where we are going.
My son takes Strattera (the only non-narcotic medication on the market). We give it to him daily, wether we are in school or not. He said his brain feels calmer when he is on it.

 

[deltachi8]

DS (9) has ADHD and will be making his 5th trip next week. He doesn not take Meds (another debate for another time) and he is usually fine at the parks. He gets a bit restless on the plane, but the portable DVD player has helped with that.

Keep him involved and explain everything. DS never gets bored at the Parks as long as we keep moving and if a long line is there, make a game of it - look for hidden mickeys, talk abot things, etc. He has had a couple of meltdowns, over the years, but I know now, to see it coming and tale a break - grab a mickey bar or a lemonade and rest.

You will be fine and do what YOU think is best for you child.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!