Cruising with Kids with ADHD

[Squeakcat]

Would people who've cruised with kids with ADHD be willing to tell me how they've fared on Disney cruises? We are cruising in February 2006 on a 7-day western, when my daughter will have just turned six years old. We did a Royal Caribbean Alaskan cruise when she was 3 1/2, and it wasn't all that successful. She was too distracted to eat at meals, and lost enough weight that when we returned neighbors assumed she'd been ill. She totally disrupted one shore excursion, for everyone, not just our family. (That's when I learned to never be without money for a taxi when out and about without my personal auto). The child care never refused to serve her, they just always managed to have me come and retrieve her right away for some reason.

She's doing much better at this time, but I'm still concerned. I have been on two previous Disney cruises, but both before Sarah joined our family.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I won't kid you, it'll be tough. It's kind of hard to say though, because each child is different.

We recently learned that our 3 year old probably has ADHD. It explains alot, as he has the attention span of a fly and has boundless energy. He's our little pinball. But the cruise was tough, because we were a little more confined and there weren't too many places for him to burn off all that extra energy, other than to let him run all over the deck, which was exhausting for us. He just started special day classes and is learning to deal with structure, so it took him a while to get used to the kids club. He did okay in there, but it took a few days. He didn't do well being in the stateroom for any length of time, and he couldn't sit through an entire show without melting down. I'm hoping when we go again in a couple years he'll have settled down a bit and it will be a much better experience.

 

[tink11]

She will also be older on your next cruise- that's a plus. I always let my kids know ahead of time what to expect i.e. wait in line at certain times, sitting at dinner, etc. I have brought along things to keep them busy at times like those, a small notebook and pencil if they like to draw, books, c.d player with headphones if they like to listen to music etc. If they got overly stimulated I'd take them somewhere quiet to settle down. Learn to know their signals- when they have had enough and plan accordingly. We spent alot of time at the pools as swimming is something that relaxes my kids. (medication has helped my children, although I know medication is not for everyone). Just relax, don't plan every minute, and have a great time!

 

[KAMommy]

Don't lose all hope. My son has ADD (very little hyperactivity, but does have some impulse control issues). He was not diagnosed until he was 9, and was unmedicated and 8 on our first cruise. He was fine in the Club. There was enough constant activity that he had a blast. And, unlike some others, I found that in both the Club and the Lab, there were always alternate activities - maybe not a lot, but something. Anyway, I think with some preparation things are fine.

 

[marcij]

I have two kids who are ADHD, and we've cruised twice on 7 day DCL cruises. My oldest, age 8 on the last cruise, is off the charts hyper. First off, all children are a little overstimulated on these types of cruises because of the characters and because there are so many children. Thankfully, the staff is used to this and are really good at providing distractions and calming children. If your children are on medication, keep them on their same schedule. Now isn't the time to go without it. I agree with the poster that says to bring something for the kids to play with when you know you are going to have to wait in lines, for dinner etc. I'd rather my children have something to keep themselves busy at dinner (music, games, cd or dvd) and have a pleasant family dinner, then to have to take children out of the dining room or deal with melt downs. We realized after our first cruise that it worked better to have a schedule, although somewhat flexible depending on how the kids are doing. Get dressed, have breakfast, swim, ping-pong, lunch, nap, more play time etc. My behaviorial specialist also suggested giving the kids goals like nap = game card or cooperation = more swim time. PM me if you have more questions.

Have a great cruise and don't worry too much about the ADHD.

 

[dwkwootton]

With the utmost respect and good intention, I must point out that age and time do not work as a plus in ADHD. It is not a condition that is outgrown and it does not diminish because of time. On its own, it can change to be age appropriate, much like how a two year old reacts when they put a bad tasting food in their mouth vs how a 25 year old would react to same. Only the positive, pro-active treatment that is evident in all the posts prior to mine, constantly updating our knowledge, and supporting one another is helpful for families full of warranted hope like ours with ADHD members.

 

[suesings]

In watching the Dr. Phil ADD show a month ago or so, it was so interesting to see the specialists who talked about the connection with foods and ADD, etc. Plus the connection with keeping a very scheduled routine. They were saying how important these were to children with ADD and showed a couple examples. The author who wrote, The ADD Answer, Dr. Frank Lawlis was on. Here is a website with more about that show for those who might be interested:

http://www.drphil.com/advice/advice...xml&section=Parenting&subsection=Raising+Kids

My husband's sister has 3 kids that they say have ADD (although on Dr. Phil they said that the only way to truly diagnose ADD is to have some sort of brain scan which my neices and nephew have not had. They also said many children are given the title ADD when it is really just not being taught to behave).

We haven't been on a Disney Cruise yet but it seems like it would be harder to keep a good routine on board and eat the right foods for ADD, although we have travelled quite a bit with our 4 year old and we always keep her bedtime and feeding times. I hope we can do this with our 4 year old and 18 month old on the Disney cruise. It seems like a lot of the activities are much later than our children's bedtimes, so we will see. I hope we don't have to miss too much.

good luck to you

 

[dwkwootton]

Great article, thanks Suesings. And to repeat myself (which I like to blame on my old age) children with ADHD grow up into adults with ADHD. Not on purpose or because they are bad or stupid, its the same as near-sighted children become near-sighted adults.

 

[Squeakcat]

It's nice to know there are others here who have been there. People look askance at me because I take Sarah's Pixter with us everywhere, but it is a lifesaver when waiting. I go nowhere without double A batteries and a Phillips screwdriver.

My gut feeling, having been on two Disney cruises, is that Disney will be more willing to work with Sarah that RCCI ever was.

I don't recall what Disney room service offers late at night. Can anyone tell me? Sarah will not generally eat during the day (and that was even before she was taking medication). It doesn't do any good to beg her to eat during regular mealtimes, and I have chosen to pick my battles and just supply her with nourishing foods once it's dark and quiet.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

In watching the Dr. Phil ADD show a month ago or so, it was so interesting to see the specialists who talked about the connection with foods and ADD, etc. Plus the connection with keeping a very scheduled routine.

I recently read a book that was very good, called the "Living with the Active Alert Child", but Linda Budd. Even though it is not necessarily about ADHD children, there are many pointers, suggestions, and hints that could be of help to the parents of active children, whether they are ADHD or not. Seems that this book, or a similar one, should be part of the training of the kids club CMs. I read the book as part of my daycare relicensing, which met my continuing education requirement, but it has really helped me to understand my own 5yo "active alert child".

T&B

 

[lbgraves]

If there is something on the dining room menu that your DD would like to eat vs the room service menu, your servers will probably be more than willing to wrap something up so that you can put it in the room for her to eat after the show. Our DS fell asleep right at the table our first cruise on Sunday night & our server wrapped his chicken tenders in foil that looked like a beautiful swan. He really enjoyed waking up to that on the table. Our last cruise he was asleep at 6 and we put him in the stroller so he could sleep. He woke up before dinner was over so was able to eat at the table but I am sure our same server would have wrapped something for him.

 

[marcij]

My ADHD sons are both very picky eaters. I found out that you can still get pizza, fruit and ice cream fairly late in the evening. My older son really surprised me by eating two pieces of pizza each night around 9 or so and we always made sure we took fruit from Scoops to our room for him to snack on at night. Also, if you tell room service about your picky late night eater they will help you out. They are so used to all types of kids that whatever you throw their way will not be new to them.

Marci

 

[mist_e_rose2002]

I am taking my son's ritalin with us. I usually don't make him take his meds away from school, but I think the excitement of the trip combined with his "almost" teenage hormones will be a lot to handle.

 

[zachsmomie]

I do not have an ADHD child but I am a former 3rd grade teacher and a current kindergarten teacher. I agree with the previous posters about having some things ready for your child.

Here are a few hints that enter my mind right off the bat:
1.Purchase a few of those keychains at Wal-mart and Target that are mini playdoh containers and etch a sketch and such. You can give her a different one each night at dinner when she starts to get too restless. The surprise will keep her occupied on something other than the wait. A small tin of legos or magnetix are great too!
2. How about making a check off sheet on the computer with common Disney things (characters, captain mickey) and things she will see at dinner (fork, water pitcher). She can play I Spy looking for those things.
3) Possibly request a table for just your family - then you will not be anxious going into dinner and worrying if she will be disturbing those eating with you. Children really can pick up on the adult's anxiety.
4) Take a flashlight and have her use it while walking in the hallways or in your cabin to point out things you name. Sometime this helps with focusing.
5) You know your child's limits as far as excursions. Explain to her often and frequently what is coming next. Sometimes the unknown is too much stimulus.

I hope this helps.

 

[mommiechewie]

I have a son that has Tourettes and ADHD He went to Disney at 5 and threw a few tantrums. we did not know exactly what he had at that time and did not know how to handle it. Bringing distractions and keeping schedules as close to same as your can helps. and also dont be "easier" on them to try to keep from fights. Rules should not change. Quiet areas to get away from the glut of people (even if it is a park bench on the street just to get away from the crowd) to calm down is good too.
There is a lot of simulation there. you know your child and you know what "sets them off" and even more than that you know your childs "warning signs" that he/she is getting overstimulated. when you see that get them away from as much as you can to get a little bit of quiet relaxing time (just sitting and looking at the clouds and finding picutures in them, anything to get their mind calm) works wonders!!
Every child has their problems as long as you know yours and love your children there is nothing you can't do!!! (me and my DS what a cutie)

 

[dwkwootton]

Specific to the question on the room service menu ~ its a great little menu and anything I've ever ordered was good. You can see the menu now, its posted in the menu section of **********************

 

[dwkwootton]

oops ... forgot ... let me try again

if you type it all in one word, try this website:

www . castaway club . com