DS has ADHD, SID, tics and OCD - Need some tips

[gummie22]

Hi everyone!
This is my first post. We're going to WDW to celebrate our DS's 8th birthday and we can't wait. We've waited so long for our son to get over his fear of characters, and now he's ready.

Here's my question: When you see your kid is about to have a meltdown while you're touring the parks, what do you do? Are there some good places (meaning quieter or less crowded) you like to go for a little therapeutic (not punishment) time out? I know Tom Sawyer is a good place in the MK, but what about the other parks?

I'm totally over-planning and scheduling to make sure he knows what to expect. We're even watching a lot of You-Tube videos so he'll know what things look like and the music that is played. That is seeming to help too!

Anyway, any tips you could share would really be appreciated!

Thanks!
Lorri

 

[stenickar]

The first aid centers may have a quiet space where you can just sit down for a few minutes. I sometimes just find a bench or place to sit out of the flow of traffic. My kids(both have autism) have both done very well at Disney. My son only melted down when kids were crying, which he does not tolerate. Even then I was able to give him his headphones and move away from the crying child. HTH Lori

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILTIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The top item is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, about Guest Assistance Cards.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

Also, you might want to scan several of the threads both in the disABILTIES Forum listing and the disABILITIES Community Board. There is a lot of information and discussion concerning autism, asperger's, ADD, ADHD, and other similar problems.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

OK, I started writing a reply to this, then stupid little me went and closed the window! Oops! Anyway, I'll try and remember what I said.

As stenickar said, the First Aid rooms are available for use by all guests. They have a number of beds that you can lie down on for a while (up to about an hour) in the air-conditioning. Unfortunately there's only one in each park, which could be rather a long trek (not something you want to be doing mid-meltdown!).

Alternatively, all of the parks have quieter areas. AK is probably the easiest to find such areas in, as it's the biggest, has lots of greenery and was built with lots of small paths to 'explore'. In EPCOT, the paths are a lot wider than MK, so it's easier just to tuck off the the side a bit. The World Showcase Lagoon has a number of little areas 'tucked away' around it, that get busy in the evenings before Illuminations, but are fairly quiet during the day. MGM (or now Hollywood) Studios has some 'back streets' that are fairly quiet. Sunset Blvd. can be fairly reasonable, though you can hear the screams from the thrill rides in that area. On the other side of the park, the bit of Streets Of America around Pizza Planet isn't too bad, except during 'Meet and Greet' times (you can find these out from the show time sheets). MK could prove a little trickier to find places (other than T.S.'s Island), but there are still little areas where you can 'tuck in' away from the crowd. Please note, all of this is from memory, so aren't necessarily 100% reliable!

I think the best strategy to use is to get advice from here, look at the maps before you go (you can find these on the DIS maps page), but if you find he's nearing / having a meltdown and you don't know where to go, ask the nearest CM and they'll direct you to a quiet spot.

Some people here find that their kids react well to having music played through headphones. It allows them to go off into their own world for a bit and calm down, without all the crowd noise to get them worked up. Others find using a stroller or wheelchair helps (WDW strollers can apparently take kids up to about 12) to give them their own space, and put a bit of a barrier between them and the crowds. I don't know how well this would work with his ADHD though.

As Cheshire said, the GAC might be a good idea to help you get through. Also, the Fastpass scheme can cut down on time in queues. Tour Guide Mike is apparently very good for helping to avoid crowds. I've never used it myself, but have heard many positive reviews.

Anyway, hope this lot helps, if I think of anything else, I'll post again in a bit!

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[mamacate]

Here's my question: When you see your kid is about to have a meltdown while you're touring the parks, what do you do? Are there some good places (meaning quieter or less crowded) you like to go for a little therapeutic (not punishment) time out? I know Tom Sawyer is a good place in the MK, but what about the other parks?

Have a great trip! We went last year with my son (just turned 5 at the time, with severe ADHD, SID, GAD, and NVLD). When he melts down, he gets combative and it can be scary. I had all these awful images of him losing it multiple times per day and having no way to get out of the crowds. Our plan was to use the first aid stations, and we always found out where they were ahead of time.

However, first of all, he melted down MUCH less than we expected. Overstimulation is hard, but when the stimuli you're experiencing are all positive, desirable, exciting things, the meltdowns don't come like they do at a mall or on public transport or the ways he gets overstimulated at home. We had had a really rough year with him, and our Disney trip was like a breath of fresh air. He really functioned like a typical kid most of the time while we were there.

We did have two MAJOR meltdowns at the parks, both when we had to leave and he wasn't ready yet (but was of course overtired at the same time...we've also learned a few things about not letting the grownups stall when we say we're going to leave--we didn't want to go either and kept saying "one more ride..." bad idea). Anyway, in both cases we just found a place to sit--one was near the entrance to Epcot, and the other was near the bathrooms on the way into Tomorrowland in MK. In both cases it wasn't hard to find a little corner where we could take a break and calm down. People could see us, but we weren't in the middle of a crowd. My son's meltdowns are pretty intense, but I just made a sort of "poor guy" pouty face at the people who looked at us, and they all just made the same "poor guy" face back, like if a two-year-old had been having a tantrum. The storm passed, he recovered, and we moved on. It was nowhere near as bad as we expected it would be.

It's hard to escape from noise (most of which is beckoning you to go do something else), but there are places to take breaks. Also, with my son's SID issues, a good motion ride was often all we needed to reset his mood into something positive. And we did water parks in between MK visits, which was great for him.

That's my $0.02 (okay, plus a little). Have a great time!

Cate

 

[LuvsTinker]

We've been several times with my now 8 yo DS, PDD-NOS and we just plan for taking time out to do what he wants - like ride the monorail round and round. He loves it and we just chill out for 30 mins or so.

He also loves the playgrounds - ex. in Studios, the Honey I Shrunk the kids - we don't rush him, we just plan on staying put for awhile.

In Epcot, UK there is a garden maze tucked behind the bldgs. - another favorite spot for just running around.

And for any kiddos who love trains like my DS - Epcot, Germany has a mini. train exhibit -another spot we stay at for an extended period of time.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Just had a thought, when the buses get very busy, they can be extremely claustrophobic! It's probably best to try and avoid using them at really high peak times. Basically that just means as soon as the evening entertainments (fireworks, Fantasmic, Illuminations etc) are over or when a water park closes due to storms. The easiest way of avoiding these rush times is just to take your time getting to the exit. Let the initial crowd leave before you move, then wander slowly towards the exit. Stop in the shops on your way (they all stay open pretty much until the park gates close); look at the buildings all lit up for the evening, buy a snack; let him take a nap if he has a stroller / wheelchair; whatever it takes to pass the time without feeling like you're 'waiting'. If you do this, by the time you get to the bus stop it should be fairly quiet. Also, if it looks like any bus is going to be too full for you when you get to the front of the line, there's nothing to stop you stepping aside and letting the crowd go ahead of you, until the next bus (or even the next one) comes.

HTH!

 

[Schmeck]

I'm not so sure I'd think of Tom Sawyer's Island as a place to head off a meltdown - you have to wait in line for the raft to get over to you at the dock, stay in one place on the raft, wait for the raft to dock and be tied up before getting off the raft, etc. It's really a lot of waiting - not the best way to head off a meltdown! I'd head for one the the little playground areas - Pooh's, Ariel's, or the Splash Mountain one - there is one at Splash, right?

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I can't remember one at Splash, nor can I see one on the map, but I may just be missing it. That area around Splash doesn't tend to get too crowded, though, as it's not a walkway to anywhere. You do get the screams from the ride, though.

 

[SueM in MN]

The easiest way of avoiding these rush times is just to take your time getting to the exit. Let the initial crowd leave before you move, then wander slowly towards the exit.

We always do that and it works quite well.
Many people try to rush out of the park to get on the first bus (even to the point of leaving before the parade/fireworks/show is over). The first buses will be VERY busy.
By the time we get to the bus stop, the first few buses have left the park and we are often on a bus that is not even full.

 

[dawnball]

I can't remember one at Splash, nor can I see one on the map, but I may just be missing it. That area around Splash doesn't tend to get too crowded, though, as it's not a walkway to anywhere. You do get the screams from the ride, though.

There is a playground at splash, on right right just as you head under the overpass into the splash courtyard. It's quite small though. A larger 8 year old may be too big for it. It tends to be very quiet and cool under there though.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

There is a playground at splash, on right right just as you head under the overpass into the splash courtyard. It's quite small though. A larger 8 year old may be too big for it. It tends to be very quiet and cool under there though.

Shows how much I know! Thanks for correcting me Dawnball, I'm afraid I wasn't sure as I don't have kids, and it's been a little while since I could fit on the playgrounds myself!

 

[DevilDuckie]

Hi everyone!
Here's my question: When you see your kid is about to have a meltdown while you're touring the parks, what do you do? Are there some good places (meaning quieter or less crowded) you like to go for a little therapeutic (not punishment) time out? I know Tom Sawyer is a good place in the MK, but what about the other parks?

I'm going to chime in, even though my situation is a little different. I suffer from a panic disorder and if I'm not careful I get overstimulated and once had the pleasure of a very public panic attack right in front of the Partners statue in DL. Not one of my shining moments.

What works for me is when my companion gets me somewhere off the main thoroughfare. In DL this can be Snow White's wishing well grotto, the Tiki Room waiting area- even little nooks near restrooms.

Watch him. I'm sure you do, but I know I'm better off if the timeout happens before the stress really starts building. A kid might resist such a pre-emptive strike unless you have an activity. Maybe it's time to sit and have a Mickey bar or sort out your pins.

Best wishes to you both!