Disney with Tourette's

[KatieCharlotte]

Since our last visit to WDW, my teen's Tourette's has intensified significantly. He also has anxiety, OCD, and sensory sensitivity. As we consider a first trip to Disneyland, friends have recommended that we get a disability pass. DS can repress his tics for a short time, but it's exhausting for him. Crowds, lines, and stress bring out his tics and make him hyper and unpredictable. His tics include movement and inappropriate words. If we applied for a disability card, he would likely be repressing his tics and seem like a "typical" teen, but I assume they have to believe what we tell them about his symptoms? I know they can't request documentation, but would a doctor's note be helpful? Has anyone here used the card for a child/teen with Tourette's? Can someone share their experiences, or make me feel less guilty for taking advantage of what's available? Any advice re what to say to people who get upset about us using the card, or get upset about his tics? I assume there are plenty of things we can do while we wait for our return times?

Also, related to his sensory sensitivity, he can't do rides that spin quickly or move too much. His sister and I will go on some of these rides. Normally I'd be fine leaving him alone because he's a teen going off to college in a few years, but I may worry if the crowds and stimulation are bothering him. I understand that the disability card can only be used for rides he goes on, so I assume the best idea is to fastpass the more intense rides, so we can avoid a long wait? Any ideas where he can briefly escape the crowds at Disneyland while he waits for us?

This is a separate topic, but I'd also love opinions on the rides to avoid at Disneyland. From what I can see, many rides will be great for him, but some may have surprising movement. As a comparison -- he loves all WDW dark rides, Buzz, and TSMM, and would never ride a WDW mountain. At Universal, he could handle the spinning on Cat in the Hat but Men in Black made him dizzy for hours and he doesn't do simulators.

Thank you!

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a thread about DAS at Disneyland that might be helpful to you.
Only the first post is kept up to date, so don't bother reading any farther than that.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/dl...-1-update-12-7-14-das-tied-to-ticket.3179460/

If it makes you feel more comfortable to have one, it is perfectly all right, but a doctor's note is not necessary and chances are that the CMs will not want to look at it. You will need to explain the issues he will have waiting in lines to the CMs at Guest Relations.

As you mentioned, you would have the shortest wait by using Fastpass for the attractions he doesn't like/want to go on.

 

[SueM in MN]

This Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities might be helpful for you.
https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...sabilities/dlr-cognitive-guide_2015_01-07.pdf

It includes some suggestions for quieter places in the park that might be helpful if he's waiting alone. It also includes a grid with some attraction details and the duration. You could also check out YouTube videos of attractions to help give him some ideas of what he might like/not like.

 

[gap2368]

I am someone with a few disability and for the most part I look fine you can not tell I have any disabilities unless I tell you and you are around me for a long time. with that said when I first got the DAS card I just told the CM what my problems were and how they made waiting in line hard for me. I have never had any other guest tell me that I am slipping the line or anything like that ( at WDW you go thought the FP line and most I guess think you just have a FP I think this is the same at DL) only you can decide what to do about going on a ride with just your daughter but I would FP those rides or if there is a ride that has a short wait time near by maybe let your son do that. I would defiantly look at the map and find some quiet places they can come in very handy for people with Tourettes when they need a quiet place a small umbrella can also give in some quiet place to hid if he needs it and you can not find any place.

with his sensory issues is spinning his only problems

I would also get there as early as you can when there are not that big crowds there

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I appreciate the responses. That attraction chart is very helpful, and so is the list of quiet spots.

with his sensory issues is spinning his only problems

He doesn't like rides that spin fast or have drops, or unexpected jerking motions or simulated flying. He says that anything more than the drop in Pirates at WDW is too much, and he hated Soarin'. But, he's a typical teen in many ways and, although he doesn't mind "kiddie rides," he prefers rides that are a little creepy (like Haunted Mansion) or involve shooting things for points. As he's gotten older, his food sensory issues mostly disappeared and he's learned to cope with texture and touch issues. He wears sunglasses and a ball cap whenever possible. He enjoys theme parks as long as we take breaks from all that overstimulation (and he doesn't have to spend too long trying to repress tics in line), so I'd like to plan several relaxed park days and a hotel with a relaxing pool, instead of trying to pack everything in one or two days. We would definitely be at the parks when they open and then take an afternoon break.

 

[SMD]

POTC at DLR has 2 drops at the beginning. TSMM can jerk a lot and does about 270 degrees of spin between games. The cars on Buzz can also spin of you hit the joystick. Mater's is another ride that whips around, and depending on which song you get on Luigi's it's pretty jerky, and each song ends with the car spinning around. I actually think that all 3 rides in Carsland should be out based on what you described.

 

[SueM in MN]

As far as I know from reading and watching videos, Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story Mania rides are exactly the same at WDW as at Disneyland. So, if he was OK at WDW, he should follow fine on those at Disneyland.
I personally did not like the spinning at Cat in the Hat - it was too unexpected and intense for my taste. You should be able to find videos to compare Cat in the Hat with the attractions SMD mentioned that are not at WDW. I'd view videos of Cat in the Hat too even though he knows what it felt like - seeing how the ones he hasn't been on looked on videos compared to how that looks might be helpful.

 

[gap2368]

first aid at any park can give him a quiet place to lie down if he need to have some space.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

As far as I know from reading and watching videos, Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story Mania rides are exactly the same at WDW as at Disneyland. So, if he was OK at WDW, he should follow fine on those at Disneyland.
I personally did not like the spinning at Cat in the Hat - it was too unexpected and intense for my taste. You should be able to find videos to compare Cat in the Hat with the attractions SMD mentioned that are not at WDW. I'd view videos of Cat in the Hat too even though he knows what it felt like - seeing how the ones he hasn't been on looked on videos compared to how that looks might be helpful.

Having him compare the videos is a good idea. Knowing what to expect, and that he can handle it, is key to keeping his anxiety down, and when he's more anxious the ride movement bothers him more.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

first aid at any park can give him a quiet place to lie down if he need to have some space.

He would probably only take advantage of that if he could make up some kind of injury. He doesn't want to be seen as weak or ill, so he'd probably prefer somewhere hidden that he could sit and eat a treat or somewhere to run around and get his movement out. One thing we love about Universal is the themed playgrounds.

 

[seashoreCM]

Suggested wording for T-shirt: "I keep getting the hiccups! (then much smaller print) Don't want to drink water because I will have to go pee while waiting in line."

I would feel free to use lawn areas as out of the way space to sit and eat a treat and not be in the way rather than have to hoof it over to the first aid station each time. But beware of ants.

Unfortunately he does have an illness (a disorder as opposed to a disease). There will be some times when it is not possible to hide it. There is no need to keep repeating yourself 'splaining it to strangers although, if you feel fiendish, you could tell curious folks who ask that you will be giving an explanation at such and such a time at such and such a place (e.g. at 4:30 PM to the left of the entrance to the Mexican pavilion). More practical is a suggestion to "go on line and Google tourette's".

 

[gap2368]

He would probably only take advantage of that if he could make up some kind of injury. He doesn't want to be seen as weak or ill, so he'd probably prefer somewhere hidden that he could sit and eat a treat or somewhere to run around and get his movement out. One thing we love about Universal is the themed playgrounds.

You do not have to tell them much of anything to use first aid my son is over stimulated and need a place to cool down/ alone time word work let him know he is not weak it is just what he may need. But it sounds like he is a teen and they can be stubren some times. I am sure you all will have a great time

 

[lovethattink]

I don't have advise about Disneyland. But a quick tip about tics. My son and his friends discovered that if they suppress a tic, it comes out more intense later.

 

[Aladora]

Since our last visit to WDW, my teen's Tourette's has intensified significantly. He also has anxiety, OCD, and sensory sensitivity. As we consider a first trip to Disneyland, friends have recommended that we get a disability pass. DS can repress his tics for a short time, but it's exhausting for him. Crowds, lines, and stress bring out his tics and make him hyper and unpredictable. His tics include movement and inappropriate words. If we applied for a disability card, he would likely be repressing his tics and seem like a "typical" teen, but I assume they have to believe what we tell them about his symptoms? I know they can't request documentation, but would a doctor's note be helpful? Has anyone here used the card for a child/teen with Tourette's? Can someone share their experiences, or make me feel less guilty for taking advantage of what's available? Any advice re what to say to people who get upset about us using the card, or get upset about his tics? I assume there are plenty of things we can do while we wait for our return times?

Also, related to his sensory sensitivity, he can't do rides that spin quickly or move too much. His sister and I will go on some of these rides. Normally I'd be fine leaving him alone because he's a teen going off to college in a few years, but I may worry if the crowds and stimulation are bothering him. I understand that the disability card can only be used for rides he goes on, so I assume the best idea is to fastpass the more intense rides, so we can avoid a long wait? Any ideas where he can briefly escape the crowds at Disneyland while he waits for us?

This is a separate topic, but I'd also love opinions on the rides to avoid at Disneyland. From what I can see, many rides will be great for him, but some may have surprising movement. As a comparison -- he loves all WDW dark rides, Buzz, and TSMM, and would never ride a WDW mountain. At Universal, he could handle the spinning on Cat in the Hat but Men in Black made him dizzy for hours and he doesn't do simulators.

Thank you!

I highly doubt anyone would say anything about you using the DAS, most people would not even know and if they did say something I would have something to say back to them!

When you go to City Hall or the Chamber of Commerce to ask about getting the DAS for your son, just let the CM know what challenges he has related to waiting in a regular line, doctor's notes are usually not accepted or even read.

One place that our son loves is the Main Street Cinema and we have to go there a few times each trip. It has low lighting, black and white cartoons to watch and it is air conditioned. It is also not usually crowded so it is a perfect place for us to go to allow DS to take a break.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I don't have advise about Disneyland. But a quick tip about tics. My son and his friends discovered that if they suppress a tic, it comes out more intense later.

Yes, definitely. He's working on being able to say, "I tic, deal with it."

 

[SMD]

There are no lawn areas in the parks at DLR. With the current construction going on, there really isn't a lot of outdoor space in DL at the moment.

I don't know if TSMM uses a fixed track for each vehicle at HS, but in DCA it's when you're switching between games and it has to pass 2-3 lanes before it finds one open that you get whipped around. I don't know about the path of the track for Buzz there, but in DL it does turn at least twice. Once to face the camera and again to turn back at the end. I'm not su if it turns any other times because I always spin the car.

And I thought of another one. On Roger Rabbit's Toon Car Spin there are some corners where your vehicle will spin even if you don't turn the wheel.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Are you planning to stay at one of the Disneyland hotels, or at least a hotel nearby? Maybe your son could stay at the hotel for the afternoon break while you and your daughter do the more intense rides?

 

[SueM in MN]

There are no lawn areas in the parks at DLR. With the current construction going on, there really isn't a lot of outdoor space in DL at the moment.

I don't know if TSMM uses a fixed track for each vehicle at HS, but in DCA it's when you're switching between games and it has to pass 2-3 lanes before it finds one open that you get whipped around. I don't know about the path of the track for Buzz there, but in DL it does turn at least twice. Once to face the camera and again to turn back at the end. I'm not su if it turns any other times because I always spin the car.

And I thought of another one. On Roger Rabbit's Toon Car Spin there are some corners where your vehicle will spin even if you don't turn the wheel.

Buzz and Toy Story Mania do the very same at WDW.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Are you planning to stay at one of the Disneyland hotels, or at least a hotel nearby? Maybe your son could stay at the hotel for the afternoon break while you and your daughter do the more intense rides?

We'd stay at a nearby hotel, probably something cheaper than the Disney hotels. That would be a good option, because he's fine on his own in a less stressful environment. I do want to take advantage of fastpasses because it will be a busy season (he can't miss school), so a combination of making him wait (with food...he is a teen boy) while we fastpass and having him go back for an afternoon break would work.

 

[CJN]

Would having a pool at your hotel help to burn off some of that anxiety? My nephew used to talk about the need to release tension in calming some of his tics. An afternoon in the pool helped him - probably both burning off stress and just simply cooling down after all that anxiety (although one of his things was refusing to ever get his face wet).