Covid tests prior to departure - child with a disability

[Sorcerer Jody]

Hello, my family is planning to travel to Disneyland at the end of July. This is our first trip anywhere since 2019. I have a neuro-diverse 13 year old who has enormous difficulty coping with any type of medical procedure. For example, when he had a cold last year, he couldn't handle the nasal swab but was able to do the gargle test in a private room at BC Children's Hospital. Is the nasal swab the only option for pre-departure Covid tests? I am worried that even if we spend lots of time preparing, he will freak out at testing time and we'll have to cancel our trip the day before we leave! Does anyone have any experience testing a child with a disability before traveling? Tips on where to do the test, what type of test, etc.? Thanks so much!!

 

[wdwmom3]

I don’t have any advice on tests. But are you close to the US border? You could always drive over the border and fly out of the US. You don’t need a test to drive across.

 

[SaraMc]

Maybe check out Arnold Palmer children’s hospital in Orlando and see if they can help?

 

[Sorcerer Jody]

I don’t have any advice on tests. But are you close to the US border? You could always drive over the border and fly out of the US. You don’t need a test to drive across.

Thank you for that idea. Yes, we are close to the border, in Vancouver. We already have our flights booked through Air Miles, though. Not sure if I can easily change flights...I can look into it. I am also hopeful that (maybe?) testing requirements will be dropped before our trip in July?

 

[Sorcerer Jody]

Maybe check out Arnold Palmer children’s hospital in Orlando and see if they can help?

Thank you for your response, but we are traveling from Vancouver to Disneyland. I won't need a test to come back into Canada, but just to get down to the States. I've been trying to research online to see if children can do gargle tests for travel, but haven't been able to find anything. Does anyone know if the private rapid antigen tests are as uncomfortable as the nasal swabs that public health did earlier in the pandemic? For example, London Drugs' website says their nasal swabs don't go as deep into the nose ("Our nasal swabs will only go about 1.5 cm into your nostrils for about 15 seconds, unlike nasopharyngeal swabs that are uncomfortable. We do not perform nasopharyngeal specimen collection.") In which case maybe my son might possibly be able to handle it...not sure. Or even better, maybe this U.S. entry requirement will end before our July trip...fingers and toes crossed!!!

 

[Minniemoo15]

We did Switch Health rapid tests - you do them yourself at home while videochatting with a nurse. It was very easy and I would do that again in a heartbeat. You only need to put the tip inside, maybe 1cm. Because you are self administering it, you can control the swab. It is definitely less invasive than the hospital PCRs. My 6yo DD was super nervous so we practiced with a q tip beforehand and by the time it came to test she was fine.

I know our Sobeys had over the counter swish and gargle PCRs you could purchase for travel, but you have to mail in the sample so I doubt the results would be in for the “day before” requirement that the US has in place.

 

[Sorcerer Jody]

We did Switch Health rapid tests - you do them yourself at home while videochatting with a nurse. It was very easy and I would do that again in a heartbeat. You only need to put the tip inside, maybe 1cm. Because you are self administering it, you can control the swab. It is definitely less invasive than the hospital PCRs. My 6yo DD was super nervous so we practiced with a q tip beforehand and by the time it came to test she was fine.

I know our Sobeys had over the counter swish and gargle PCRs you could purchase for travel, but you have to mail in the sample so I doubt the results would be in for the “day before” requirement that the US has in place.

Thank you - that is very helpful information!

 

[starlite_]

When I've done the antigens/PCRs at shoppers (and I've done lots) they never go deep into the nose because they aren't administered by a nurse or doctor. It felt more of a tickle than anything else. Minniemoo15's advice of the qtip sounds like a perfect way to practice for your kid.

 

[CKCruising]

I'm not sure about BC but in Ontario, rapid tests are available at schools and most pharmacies. Get a box and try one with him. As a pp said, the switch health tests work (They are $80 for 2 - pretty much the same price as Shoppers) and they can be administered at home by you or your child if that is more comfortable.

 

[dancin Disney style]

There is some good advice here. I work in healthcare and we are tested with RAT tests every second day. The RAT is all you need to enter the USA. The swab only goes in as far as the fold on the side of your nostril....often not even that far. This is not at all like a PCR. I agree with practicing with a QTip. If your province gives out the home test kits (5 pack) get them and try it out. There are also many telehealth services that allow you self test (for travel) while they supervise via video chat using those home kits. This might be a good option for your child to be able to do it at home and at his own pace. If those are not going to work for you then go and pay the fee to have a professional do the test as a trial run, well in advance of your trip.

 

[Sorcerer Jody]

Thank you so much for all of the great advice!!! I am super relieved to hear that the nasal swabs are not as deep as the PCR tests. I appreciate everyone's help and reassurance!

 

[CKCruising]

Thank you so much for all of the great advice!!! I am super relieved to hear that the nasal swabs are not as deep as the PCR tests. I appreciate everyone's help and reassurance!

Personally, I don't find the PCR tests "deep" (not as they were originally in 2020). I have had multiple of both tests and to be honest, I couldn't tell which was RAT and which was PCR/LAMP.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Personally, I don't find the PCR tests "deep" (not as they were originally in 2020). I have had multiple of both tests and to be honest, I couldn't tell which was RAT and which was PCR/LAMP.

As someone who has lost count at around 70 PCR’s….you can certainly tell the difference. The self administered ones like a NAAT or LAMP test are basically the same as a RAT in the way it feels….different in how it’s processed. No one could properly self administer an NP swab nor should they even try. You don’t want it going the wrong way.

 

[Sue M]

I’d contact Airmiles and see if you can switch to either Bellingham or Seattle, depending on what airline you use. We often fly Alaska, direct flight from SeaTac to MCO.
There‘s lots of park & fly hotels that may be just as cheap as airport parking. We like hotels in Southcenter Mall area. Something to do the day before travel. Lots of dining and stores! Most hotels have airport shuttle.

 

[DLgal]

The best way to handle this is to have your son do his own nasal swab. I have 2 ASD teens and they cannot stand when someone else does it, but they can do it themselves and tolerate it just fine. It doesn't have to go in very far. Have him practice at home with at home tests. Then it won't be such a big deal. At 13, I would imagine he would be allowed to self swab during testing.