ASD and sensory issues

[Tiggeroo]

I am going on a large family trip in October. My grandson who is five is on the spectrum and has a good deal of trouble with noises and can get overwhelmed easily. He does love rides and is fascinated by bigger rides but is also very clear about one's he does not want to do. He has been watching many videos, especially of slinky dog and splash mountain. I am looking for advice on how to help him enjoy himself. He has headphones but I believe they are too bulky. I would like recommendations on soft ear plugs we can all keep in our bags. But I feel like while I want the noise decreased, for his own safety he should be able to hear some sound.
We are getting the das but it is possible he will go to get on a ride and change his mind at the last minute. How will that affect plans?
The first day plans are for animal kingdom. I thought about fop but do not know how to explain what to expect there.
Also, I will have my own das because I have something called pseudo tumor ceribri. How does it work if our party has two sets of das. Do we put our names on both? Any other tips on how to help him enjoy this trip? I believe he would enjoy the fireworks but worried the crowds and noise might be too much

 

[TwoMisfits]

I am going on a large family trip in October. My grandson who is five is on the spectrum and has a good deal of trouble with noises and can get overwhelmed easily. He does love rides and is fascinated by bigger rides but is also very clear about one's he does not want to do. He has been watching many videos, especially of slinky dog and splash mountain. I am looking for advice on how to help him enjoy himself. He has headphones but I believe they are too bulky. I would like recommendations on soft ear plugs we can all keep in our bags. But I feel like while I want the noise decreased, for his own safety he should be able to hear some sound.
We are getting the das but it is possible he will go to get on a ride and change his mind at the last minute. How will that affect plans?
The first day plans are for animal kingdom. I thought about fop but do not know how to explain what to expect there.
Also, I will have my own das because I have something called pseudo tumor ceribri. How does it work if our party has two sets of das. Do we put our names on both? Any other tips on how to help him enjoy this trip? I believe he would enjoy the fireworks but worried the crowds and noise might be too much

If he does not ride, no one in the family on his DAS reservation will be able to ride. The same goes if you will not ride the ride for anyone on your DAS reservation. The DAS is solely for the benefit of the DAS holder.

So, if there are rides that are "must dos" for other members of the family, you might consider G+ or splitting up to make sure they ride and not count on the DAS holder(s) to get your family on some of the "bigger" rides.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Also, when requesting your DAS, you need to explain why your condition makes it difficult for you to wait in line - they don’t care about diagnosis, just need.

 

[Tiggeroo]

We figure on adding G+ for bigger rides. Not completely sure how to explain the modifications. This is my first trip with this issue. I can get high fluid pressure in my head when waiting in lines long. It makes me dizzy and nauseous and triggers anxiety.
Any thoughts on fireworks? Would taking himnto dessert party keep him out of the crowds and give us more control? Could he still see projections on building? I am trying to think of ways my dh and I can help my dad and sil enjoy the trip by adding a few extras here and there.

 

[DLgal]

I am going on a large family trip in October. My grandson who is five is on the spectrum and has a good deal of trouble with noises and can get overwhelmed easily. He does love rides and is fascinated by bigger rides but is also very clear about one's he does not want to do. He has been watching many videos, especially of slinky dog and splash mountain. I am looking for advice on how to help him enjoy himself. He has headphones but I believe they are too bulky. I would like recommendations on soft ear plugs we can all keep in our bags. But I feel like while I want the noise decreased, for his own safety he should be able to hear some sound.

First off, I am responding as a mom to 2 autistic kids, one of which has sensory sensitivities. We are Disneyland annual passholders and have been to WDW numerous times.

1. It doesn't matter what YOU think of headphones. He needs them. He should have them available at all times. Anyone else's inconvenience at carrying them is their problem. Get the kid a lightweight string backpack to keep them in so he can have them available anytime he needs them, period. Earplugs do NOT accomplish the same thing and are not a good substitute for a kid that young. Those headphones will stay on during even the craziest roller coasters. Don't worry about that. This was the ONE thing that saves our trip when my son was 4. We didn't have the Peltor type ear defenders at the time, nut my husband had some over the ear noise cancelling headphones that worked well enough.

If this child is not using Peltor style earmuffs, get him a pair. They are $20 on Amazon and very lightweight. My son has been using the same pair for 12 years.

3M PELTOR Optime 98 Earmuffs H9A, Over-the-Head, Yellow https://a.co/d/9GmwJjY

He can still hear and carry on a conversation with those ear defenders on. My son wears his all the time, including at school during fire drills. It's absolutely safe and he will be able to hear, but it will make the incoming sounds that are usually very loud, quite muted.

2. You cannot easily manage having multiple people in a party with DAS. It becomes quite a hassle. I recommend getting the DAS for whichever person is willing/able to ride EVERYTHING that the party may want to ride. If you get it for the kid and he doesn't want to ride, no one can use that entrance. If YOU get it, and are game to ride whatever, then you make all the reservations and anyone who changes their mind can just skip it.

The other option is you getting your own DAS and keeping your party to just yourself, then just booking the same ride return times as the rest of the party.

 

[Tiggeroo]

First off, I am responding as a mom to 2 autistic kids, one of which has sensory sensitivities. We are Disneyland annual passholders and have been to WDW numerous times.

1. It doesn't matter what YOU think of headphones. He needs them. He should have them available at all times. Anyone else's inconvenience at carrying them is their problem. Get the kid a lightweight string backpack to keep them in so he can have them available anytime he needs them, period. Earplugs do NOT accomplish the same thing and are not a good substitute for a kid that young. Those headphones will stay on during even the craziest roller coasters. Don't worry about that. This was the ONE thing that saves our trip when my son was 4. We didn't have the Peltor type ear defenders at the time, nut my husband had some over the ear noise cancelling headphones that worked well enough.

If this child is not using Peltor style earmuffs, get him a pair. They are $20 on Amazon and very lightweight. My son has been using the same pair for 12 years.

3M PELTOR Optime 98 Earmuffs H9A, Over-the-Head, Yellow https://a.co/d/9GmwJjY

He can still hear and carry on a conversation with those ear defenders on. My son wears his all the time, including at school during fire drills. It's absolutely safe and he will be able to hear, but it will make the incoming sounds that are usually very loud, quite muted.

2. You cannot easily manage having multiple people in a party with DAS. It becomes quite a hassle. I recommend getting the DAS for whichever person is willing/able to ride EVERYTHING that the party may want to ride. If you get it for the kid and he doesn't want to ride, no one can use that entrance. If YOU get it, and are game to ride whatever, then you make all the reservations and anyone who changes their mind can just skip it.

The other option is you getting your own DAS and keeping your party to just yourself, then just booking the same ride return times as the rest of the party.

I have no problem with headphones at all. I have seen what happens without them. I was worried that during a busy vacation and on some of these rides his headphones would not work or could get lost. Now I can see that he can pretty much wear them on any ride. I will look at the ones you have listed. He is small for his age. He is fascinated by coasters and I believe fear of noise may He affecting some of his choices. If headphones help him enjoy the trip we will be sure he has them. I thought I would keep some of the foam earplugs in all of our bags as a back up.

 

[DLgal]

I have no problem with headphones at all. I have seen what happens without them. I was worried that during a busy vacation and on some of these rides his headphones would not work or could get lost. Now I can see that he can pretty much wear them on any ride. I will look at the ones you have listed. He is small for his age. He is fascinated by coasters and I believe fear of noise may He affecting some of his choices. If headphones help him enjoy the trip we will be sure he has them. I thought I would keep some of the foam earplugs in all of our bags as a back up.

That size will work. We started using them right after our WDW trip when my son was 4. They are very adjustable.

Foam earplugs will be too large and will hurt his ears as they expand. You will need to find some specifically made for kids, which will be quite difficult. You may try sleeping earplugs designed for women, as they tend to be smaller. But I am telling you, the noise reduction is not nearly enough. The over ear ones seal out excessive noise much better and the pressure against the head/ears is also comforting for sensory kids. It's like a hug, and provides a sense of safety that earplugs do not provide.

 

[Tiggeroo]

That size will work. We started using them right after our WDW trip when my son was 4. They are very adjustable.

Foam earplugs will be too large and will hurt his ears as they expand. You will need to find some specifically made for kids, which will be quite difficult. You may try sleeping earplugs designed for women, as they tend to be smaller. But I am telling you, the noise reduction is not nearly enough. The over ear ones seal out excessive noise much better and the pressure against the head/ears is also comforting for sensory kids. It's like a hug, and provides a sense of safety that earplugs do not provide.

Thanks. The only reason for the foams was to be able to go on rides and to he more comfortable. I am ordering these now so he can test and get used to them

 

[CinderEmma94]

Thanks. The only reason for the foams was to be able to go on rides and to he more comfortable. I am ordering these now so he can test and get used to them

My 6 year old son is on the autism spectrum. We are WDW locals and in the parks frequently. He uses over the head ear protection headphones and would never ever tolerate earplugs in his ears. We’ve never had an issue on any ride or with any cast member asking to remove them. Going to Disney is overwhelming in itself and I’d caution against trying to change something like that just for this trip. However every child is different and every person on the spectrum tolerates things to a different degree. What works for my son may not work for another and vice versa. My son is obsessed with fireworks and music (especially Viva Gaia in Animal Kingdom) but not the piercing noise and his headphones work great for that. He can still hear talking and can understand/hear the music but it is dulled significantly so he’s comfortable.

We do use DAS because he becomes extremely anxious and melts easily in queues. However we only use it when a line is over a certain point and that varies ride to ride. Having his stroller tagged as a wheelchair helps more in certain lines than DAS because he can go into his safe space while we wait.

 

[HopperFan]

I have no problem with headphones at all. I have seen what happens without them. I was worried that during a busy vacation and on some of these rides his headphones would not work or could get lost. Now I can see that he can pretty much wear them on any ride. I will look at the ones you have listed. He is small for his age. He is fascinated by coasters and I believe fear of noise may He affecting some of his choices. If headphones help him enjoy the trip we will be sure he has them. I thought I would keep some of the foam earplugs in all of our bags as a back up.

My DS has both earplugs and the headphones. We use the silicone earplugs we can mold a bit and then push in. What is nice is they do not stick out of his ear, are not noticeable. They are very comfortable and he can still hear. We are at a point he won't leave the room until he makes sure I have his earplugs in my bag. We now pull out the headphones for the big sound issues.

When he first started with all the noise protection we used both all the time. We were able to wean the headphones down at some places. Last night we went to the movies and he only wore the headphones. Having both is a good plan so you are covered. We use Mack's Silicone Plugs, they have adults and children's that come in plastic carrying case. We keep a case in every family members car. DS has small canal so we actually will split an adults and use half in each ear.

We've been at all points with fireworks from massive panic attack, to having to leave before them and now able to watch them. The seated dessert party will surely give you the space you need. The garden dessert parties give a more protected space in the hub to watch and your party could buffer him from others in garden. I have actually avoided the new fireworks show because the HUB is always too packed for DS. I've looked at the dessert parties because he loves them but honestly I have issues with the price for the garden one. We did book Epcot's Rose & Crown Harmonious Fireworks Pkg and I think it was worth every penny.

 

[RoseGold]

I thought about fop but do not know how to explain what to expect there.

A five year old might not be tall enough to ride FOP. I'd check this one before you get your hopes up. The problem with this ride is that you are really locked onto the motorcycle thing. And it's kind of weird to be clamped on like that. If he's in distress, it's not like anyone can help him or hold him or anything. You're on it until the end.

The firework party is LOUD and expensive. The location doesn't really help your issue, which is noise. If anything it's worse because it's kind of trapped, there are people all around, and it's really loud. I can see the party being incredibly stressful. I'd watch from much further away, like sitting near the Dole Whip stand at Aladdin. And it's too late to book it anyway. Short the VIP tour or the dessert party, there's no way to see the projections without being in an insane, stressful, shoulder to shoulder crowd.

A lot of rides have chicken exits. Obviously a five year old can't just leave alone. But they aren't going to kick the rest of the group out, because they don't know whether you were just G+ or DAS.

 

[DLgal]

FOP has a lot of sensory input that may bother a kid with ASD. Not only is the seating position sort of claustrophobic, the panels you lean against vibrate forcefully and there is also a flashing strobe effect that can be troublesome if the child is sensitive to bright lights.

After riding it to try it out for myself, I concluded my son would absolutely freak out on it.

 

[Tiggeroo]

FOP has a lot of sensory input that may bother a kid with ASD. Not only is the seating position sort of claustrophobic, the panels you lean against vibrate forcefully and there is also a flashing strobe effect that can be troublesome if the child is sensitive to bright lights.

After riding it to try it out for myself, I concluded my son would absolutely freak out on it.

Thanks. I am sure we are going to pass on fop now thar I think on it. I am trying so hard to think through what is on a ride. Noises bother him. We were at a mini golf place a week ago. It had unexpected bursts of air. That was really upsetting to him. It was Indiana Jones like themed. Skeletons, ugly things, snakes. No problem. He loves the skeleton dance video. But loud noises, especially of they are unexpected bother him a good deal.

 

[DLgal]

Thanks. I am sure we are going to pass on fop now thar I think on it. I am trying so hard to think through what is on a ride. Noises bother him. We were at a mini golf place a week ago. It had unexpected bursts of air. That was really upsetting to him. It was Indiana Jones like themed. Skeletons, ugly things, snakes. No problem. He loves the skeleton dance video. But loud noises, especially of they are unexpected bother him a good deal.

Stay off Journey Into Your Imagination with Figment.

 

[Anna131517]

One thing I didn’t see discussed is a stroller. A comfortable stroller with a really good sun shade would give him his own safe space when moving through the parks.

Another thing to consider is restaurants. They are very noisy at WDW. It may be good to plan on breakfast / dinner at the hotel as much as possible to minimize eating out. Staying in a villa with a kitchen would make that easier.