Food issues for child with SPD

[gandycat]

My 9 year old son has food issues due to Sensory Processing Disorder, and he also has Acid Reflux. We did the DDP for our next trip and I'm wondering how much flexibility there is? He has a limited diet b/c of both issues, there are texture issues from the SPD, and b/c of the reflux we have to avoid fried food and things like chicken nuggets and hotdogs, tomato sauce, and citrus. Any advice on how to handle things? I always have on hand some healthy snacks for him but I don't want him to miss out on eating at restaurants. Sorry if this has already been discussed, I looked thru the threads and couldn't find anything. Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

See the FAQ sticky near the top of this forum. Special food need/issues are detailed in one of the posts.

 

[hildarumpole]

You shouldn't have too many problems having his dietary needs accomodated at the TS restaurants. Contact specialdiets@disneyworld.com with your specific concerns. Also, check out the menus on allearsnet.com and choose some places that offer things your child can eat, but perhaps minus the sauce or with different sides. Once you make your ADRs, you can submit a form Special Diets will email you where you list your travel dates, names, dietary restrictions and ADRs. There's room for comments about what can and cannot be eaten. They'll provide you with contact info for chefs as well as forward your info to the chefs of each restaurant. With some advance notice, the chefs may even prepare something off-menu with ingredients they don't normally have on hand.

CS restaurants might be a little trickier, because most of the stuff is premade and they really aren't equipped to handle special orders. However, that doesn't mean some can't be helpful. Again, look at the menus for possibilities.

Have a terrific trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

THere is also menu information on the DIS site if you click right here.
Between the allears menus and the DIS menus, you should be able to come up with a lot of information.
When we first started coming to WDW many years ago, the menus were heavy on hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken strips. There are many more options now and one thing that is nice is the counter service restaurants have pictures of the menu items above the order area. They may have less ability to tailor things to your needs at the counter service restaurants, but you may find that there are things he can eat at many of them anyway, just because of the variety available.

In case you loose this thread, there is a link to the email address that was given by another poster in post # 3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. (There is a link to that thread in my signature).
In post #3 of that thread, you will also find some additional resources, including email addresses for diet information for each park. There is also a link to the WDW official webpage of information about special dietary needs. That includes a list of counter service restaurants at each park that are most able to meet special needs.

 

[gandycat]

Thank you everyone! I had looked at the FAQ but didn't see the food info the first time. This is really helpful, I appreciate it!

 

[bookwormde]

I see you are planing on staying at Poly, if you do not have your heart set on Poly you might consider a 1br villa (with a full living room and a full kitchen) at a DVC resort like Bay Lake Towers and just do a few selective TS meals, the amount you save on dining will more than save the extra cost of the 1br.

bookwormde