help with child at jedi training

[camnhan]

my ds has Down Syndrome, I would love for him to be able to do the Jedi Training Academy with his cousin when we go soon. Does anyone know if I can have my 13yr old stay with him to "protect" others as he may get a little rambunctious with a light saber?!?!?!?!?! and it takes him a little longer at times to understand and process what is being asked of him...

 

[livndisney]

my ds has Down Syndrome, I would love for him to be able to do the Jedi Training Academy with his cousin when we go soon. Does anyone know if I can have my 13yr old stay with him to "protect" others as he may get a little rambunctious with a light saber?!?!?!?!?! and it takes him a little longer at times to understand and process what is being asked of him...

I have not seen where they allow an extra person on stage. They do expect each jedi to be able to follow the directions (they ask them questions before signing them up).

 

[SueM in MN]

That would probably be a question to ask the CMs who are working there before the show starts.
If he wants to participate, but needs assistance due to his disability, they would need to make some accommodations for him. But, in a situation like this where many more kids want to participate than there is room for, i don’t know how they would work it exactly.

 

[LisaBi]

My son with DS participated several years ago - he was maybe 13 or 14. I understand that the process has changed since then - back then they just picked kids from the audience. Bless that CM - he was much bigger than the others (seems like most kids were 7 or 8) but she noticed him and picked him anyway.

He did fairly good at following the directions, but did want to get a little wild with the light saber, especially when it was time to "fight" Darth Vader. He wanted to have a full sword fight instead of just the two or so "swipes" they were supposed to take. The CM's on stage did a pretty good job of getting him re-directed. (Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the Jack Sparrow thing in MK on our last trip. I think we'll avoid that this year! The CM's were great - Connor just didn't want to listen.)

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

I was there in April (?) of this year and we saw a special needs boy participate in the Jedi Training Academy. I'm not sure what the boy had but my guess would be Cerebral Palsy. It seemed like he couldn't speak well, and had severe mobility issues with mild uncontrollable movements but could walk, but nothing too spastic or extreme and he was understanding and following Jedi instructions very well, I would say he was about 11 or 12.

Anyway, his mother(?) stayed with him the entire time, he was paired with Darth Maul and after he fought the crowd cheered him. It was actually very moving and there were several teary on lookers.

I would say speak to a Jedi castmember and talk to them about it. I did see the mother speak to one of the Jedi helpers after he had been selected, who helped out and would check in often throughout the show.

 

[buffettgirl]

I've actually seen, in just about every group, one child who wants to go after darth vadar with wild lightsaber moves and plenty of kids who don't really follow the directions. (psst..It's not like they're really fighting..)

Anyway, the Jedi trainer seems to be very prepared for the overly enthusiastic kids, and Darth Vadar seems very accommodating of the kids who don't really know the "moves" so I don't think your son would have ANY trouble at all.

 

[chrisw127]

Agreeing here with Buffettgirl. They are very well-prepared to deal with kids who might be a little more rambunctious with Darth Vader (and who can blame them? He's a mean guy). With the new process, you just go sign up and they give you a time to return. It's very efficient, but you'll want to get there early so you get a time. If you've got two grown ups with you, send one to get your TSMM fastpasses and have the other grown up and whoever wants to do JTA head over there and sign up. Your child will need to be with you to sign up.

Good luck to you and your little guy. Have a wonderful trip.