Kid's Club and ID bands - possible issue

[squirrelgirl]

Hope all you wise folks can help me!

My DS5 does have some special needs (language delay is primary) and I have already provided the details in the regisistration. Sometimes he has sensory issues. You know, tags in shirts need to be removed if they are to itchy..nothing exteme. I am concerned that he will come unglued at the prospect of wearing a bracelet or band. Around his ankle or his wrist, I don't think it will matter as I believe he will try to take it off. Given that he has language/communication issues, it is all the more important to have his ID on. However, logic and a 5 year old don't always mix.

Any ideas on what I can do if my DS freaks out?

Thanks,
Squirrelgirl..mom to the only 5 y.o. that does not like Band-Aids.

 

[momm2four]

Could they fasten the bracelet through one of his belt loops and just it hang there? Just a thought.

Lori P.

 

[American Scrapper]

Squirrelgirl,

What if you try to put some type of bracelet on him before you cruise to see if he will mind it. It is not that big, maybe one of those rubber bracelets or something from a waterpark or amusement park. You can then see how he will be with something on him. Just a thought....good luck.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

If you try the bracelet ahead of time and it does not work for him, you should talk to the counselors when you check in and explain the situation to them. I'm sure they have run across this type of problem before and will have some good ideas for you to try. Once that bracelet is on, it has to be cut off, it can't be torn and is usually tight enough that it will not slide off and water will not hurt it. My GS kept his on for about 4 months after the cruise. He wanted to wear it until his next cruise. His teacher thought he had a hospital ID on at first. So they are made to last.
Lots of special needs kids cruise and I'm sure some of them can't wear the ID bracelets too. Your not alone! Disney is fantastic about working with families with problems to make your cruise as magical as possible!!!!!
Have a wonderful time.
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[rsjj]

Squirrelgirl..mom to the only 5 y.o. that does not like Band-Aids.

i had to laugh at this, cuz my DS6 does not like band aids also! omg, he'd freak out, if i just suggest putting on a band aid! and i didn't think anyone else was like that! it was tough in preschool, when he'd get a scrape, but just flat out REFUSE to have a band aid on! then, in kinder, he got a deep scrape/cut on the palm of his hand, and i had to tell him he needed a band aid, to cover it up from germs, sand, etc. and he finally let me put one on! and guess what? his teacher was able to change the band aid several times! i was shocked!!! anyways, he's still not very fond of band aids! but is slowly starting to get warmed up to the idea of it, i think.

now back to your original post...would he wear a larnyard? if he did, you can have them tie/string the bracelet thing around his larnyard.

 

[S.Sunshine]

The lanyard is a good suggestion but it would be too easy to remove. Another thought would be to attach it to the back of the shirt. That way he is oblivious of it's existence. However, if he sees all the other children wearing one - he may want to have one too. Good luck.

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Hi! Good suggestions so far! I just lost a post I typed, but here is the gist:

1. How about having your ds's SLP or teacher make you a picture social story of what will occur upon entering and leaving the kids club? If these individuals are not available to you this summer, you could make a story yourself. Then, read it to your child at least one time a day prior to your cruise. Five year olds love hearing the same story over and over, especially children with language delays. This will prepare him for the I.D. band.

2. If you use picture exchange communication cards with your ds, may I suggest that you bring a communication book or board for the counselors to use with your ds in the club. Picture exchange cards ideas: potty, hungry, thirsty, sick, tired, mommy, daddy, play, no, yes, etc.

If you do not have Boardmaker available to you, here is a website with information on visual schedules and picture exchange communication cards. Be sure to look at their home page for ideas too. This is a great way to lessen communication frustration when a child is in the mist of developing his/her communication skills.

http://www.dotolearn.com/picturecards/howtouse/schedule.htm

http://www.dotolearn.com/picturecards/printcards/1inch/1inch.htm#

***Use card stock paper in your computer printer for these. Using packaging tape is an inexpensive way to laminate these cards. If you use velcro for your communication board or book, make sure to make the loop or hook the same for each PEC.

I also suggest talking to your son's occupational therapist (if he has one) for some ideas regarding the tag. Any O.T.'s on the DIS??? Post a thread titled "Calling all DCL loving O.T.'s" and see what they say. O.T.s have a wealth of information and ideas on sensory issues.

Here is another great idea website, see click on "Materials Exchange 1 & 2" for more information:

http://speakingofspeech.com/


Best wishes!

 

[squirrelgirl]

I am absolutely humbled by all of your wondeful replies. You have all given me such great advise. Having a child with special needs is a different path..and sometimes even the simpliest things can be a little more difficult. I guess I am a little nervous about the whole trip, and trying to anticipate and plan for the first trip/vacation we have ever taken is a big deal.

The nice thing is that whenever I plan and anticipate a challenge, my beautiful DS rises to the occasion and is simply amazing (he handles Disneyland better than the average child...my older child has more meltdowns). I just want do what is right, you know?

So again, thank you to all! And a special thanks to Barbara..the site for the picture schedule is amazing! I have been trying to figure out how to start a social story/picture schedule for these exceptional events..and this is just perfect! You are wonderful. Thank you for helping me not feel so alone.

Thank you all so much!!!

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Hi Squirrelgirl,

I was very happy to share! I am an SLP who works with pre-K children who have autism. I have my district's Boardmaker at home for the summer. If you need particular picture exchange cards for your trip, please e-mail me, and I'll be happy to send them to you via snail mail if there is enought time before your trip. I wish I could send them to you electronically, but Boardmaker software requires that you have the CD to print anything you need.

Best wishes for being a great mom on your journey! Your son is lucky to have you, and without saying, you are lucky to have your son. It is just a different journey with children who have special needs.

I'm sending you my home e-mail address now via PM.

Take care!

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

PS I've been searching the web, both my children are gone for a bit to their friends. So, I found this website on social stories for young children. Thought you might like these too. They are available for ideas and for printing out as well.

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/DSSSE/its/howtos/socstor/socstories.htm

Bet you cannot wait to go on your cruise!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Barbara, excellent suggestion about Boardmaker. I love that program and it does greatly cut down a child's frustration level when trying to communicate.

We've had a number of children in our classroom that have moved, gone on vacation, etc. and a great help is creating a storyboard. We read it to them daily and it helps them to understand what exactly is going to take place.

As to the sensory issue, does your DS wear socks? If so, maybe the ID band could be put around his ankle, but over the sock. That way, he wouldn't feel it and probably not notice it either (especially if the socks are crew style and can be turned down to cover it). The band can be removed everytime he leaves the club, he just needs to have it on while there. Would he be comfortable with a soft wristband? They sell them all over the place now and similar to the sock, the ID band could be placed over it and then the wristband folded to cover it up. If he has a favorite character, perhaps you could find a wristband that he would want to wear. If you have time to try out the ID bands ahead of time, you can order them on line. Just do a search on "plastic wristbands". I know you won't need that many, but you can purchase a whole case for $16. Your local party supply store might even stock them. If you do the storyboard idea, you could incorporate putting the ID band on.

Tammi

 

[txaggie94gigem]

if your child has special needs, especially language delays, he will need to wear an id tag at all times! I never thought it would happen to us but we were getting on an elevator near guest services after dinner and my daughter got on the wrong elevator with another family! she was 5 and has a severe speech delay and we had not yet registered her for the kids clubs! we were frantic! luckily the family she got onto the elevator with realized she was lost and took her to the kids club immediately but since we did not have a pager yet or her info registered it took about 30minutes before we were all reunited! if your son is wearing his band and you get seperated, all CMs take kids to the kids clubs and then you are paged...it may save you some gray hairs!