kids with add/adhd

[smusiak]

my son 5 years old and has add/adhd
wondering if there any tips to make this trip fun for him to
how did you make your trip different
what would you do different

 

[StirlingSilver83]

My son has ASD/ADHD and we usually get the DAS bc of his ASD bc he will have meltdowns and can get quite loud if there is too much sensory issues. The ADHD does not help the issue as well. He is on medicine to help his ADHD, but in Disney with so much sensory overload all bets are off, lol. We have our "quiet" places that we will go to if I feel hes going into a meltdown or his brain is just racing from the ADHD and all the sensory overload. Also this year bc he's older now (he's 9) I created a Disney Journal for him to write in for all about his vacation and that helped him through some of the lines that didn't have DAS bc they were the character lines that he wanted to meet. Also having my phone there helped too so he got to play on my phone while we were waiting in again lines that weren't DAS available bc they were character M&Gs. Epcot is my sons favorite park bc its big and no matter how many people are there it usually doesn't feel that crowded and he could run and play. They also have themed playgrounds there that my son loved! Hollywood Studio was not really a good park for when my son was younger bc he couldn't sit through all the shows. Now that he's older he actually enjoyed the shows this year. It was our first year that we saw pretty much all the shows and he was excited to see them with me. We were also on the deluxe dining plan and I know everyone says its a lot of food, but my son does better with structure and sit down meals are more structured than quick service meals. We used our meals as a break, so we had 3 table service meals a day. It gave my son a chance to relax and be somewhat away from the hordes of people at Disney. My son also liked visiting Fort Wilderness. They have a playground there and he LOVED the stables and all the ponies and again lots of room for him to run and get out all that energy. Mickey's Backyard BBQ was a ton of fun for him. Its definitely a challenge going to Disney with a kid with special needs but it can be done! We have taken my son do Disney 4 times now, the first 2 times we had no idea that Disney even offered the GAC/DAS. When we went to Disney in 2014 I decided to just research the heck out of my trip and found a lot of useful information and since then our trips have been more magical than ever and now even my hubby (who hates to spend the money on Disney, lol) says its the best place to go for our son. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[DisneyOma]

If your son is in school, ask his teacher what they do when he has to wait his turn. Show him videos online so he knows what to expect. Bring fidget toys for waiting. Give him time to explore/exercise a few times a day.

 

[SueM in MN]

Five hints I would add to what was already written:

1) if your child is on medication, Disney is not a place to take a 'medication vacation'. The medication Is a tool to help with handling stimuli and impulsive behavior. You want all the tools you have access to.

2) involve the child in planning - he/she will have a much easier time waiting for something that is being looked forward to than something he thinks is going to be boring. We've seen that over and over with people we've gone with who had ADD/ADHD. For example, my nephew did NOT want to go to Country Bears. From practically the second, we entered the line, he started whining and did things like sitting on the floor and refusing yo move. On the other hand, he waited very well and patiently for things he really wanted to go on (i think 45 minutes for Astro Orbitirs).

3) take breaks and snacks. Being hungry or tired can make symptoms of overload more likely.

4) If the child can read, consider channeling their energy into being your 'tour guide'. Let the child help with map reading and direction finding. There are also books like WDW for Kids, by Kids and Imagineering Guides to each park.
You can use them to channel energy into looking up facts about the park/area you are in.

5) many kids with special needs really enjoy things that most people don't consider 'rides' - like going on the monorail or the boats to nearby resorts. Going to a nearby resort can be an easy and quick way to get yo an area with lower stimulation.

 

[gap2368]

I would say do not think you will do every thing take a break if needed

 

[smusiak]

Great tips
thank you all
he is JK and we just starting road of getting him tested
so no med yet
but i am sure there coming
i also was link to this https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...bilities-services/wdw_cognitive_guide_rev.pdf
this was helpfully to

 

[nikkislaght]

My son is ASD /ADHD and we have been going to Disneyland for the last 5 years. He wears a hat. or headphones, mostly a hat.. sunglasses . these help block the visual and audio clutter.
high protein meals and snacks..
in lines I will stand in the front and my husband at the end with son in middle and he can hop . jump and twirl without hitting anyone else.. also in line I will do deep pressure compression.. this again helps with the SPD and reduces sensory seeking behaviors .
my son also has SPD so we do his sensory diet before we leave the hotel... he LOVES the fast rides..he could go on Cal Screaming 50 times in a row and still want more.. this helps with the sensory seeking.. we try to do one fast ride then a slower one then a fast one.. to off set any problems.
we always go over to Tom Sawyer island.. this allows him to run like a crazy man. and get feeback..
we let him plan and choose whats next.. this allows him some control.. but he is aware that sometimes those plans will change..and it really is a magical place because most of the times he is ok with a change of plans..
I have to take a lot of my sons own food.. as he has an eating disorder.. so we pretty much pack an empty suit case of food.. an this way we can eat out and he can be happy.. we stick to our regular feeding , schedule this helps reduce issues..
we tend to go back to the hotel about 5 pm and then eat and go to the pool.. then have an early night .
we watch Youtube Videos of the rides before we go.. not that we need to.. but because we like too.. lol

Hope you have a great time..

 

[Govols1997]

My son doesn't have ADHD, but he's as close as you can get without getting a diagnosis. The Hidden Mickey books was awesome for us. Lots of time spent in line was spent with him flipping thru the book looking for Mickeys! Same with restaurants.

 

[stormer]

My son doesn't have ADHD, but he's as close as you can get without getting a diagnosis. The Hidden Mickey books was awesome for us. Lots of time spent in line was spent with him flipping thru the book looking for Mickeys! Same with restaurants.

My DS liked the Hidden Mickey app. It matched the book, but was easier to have it on my phone than to carry the book. When he had a hard time waiting in line or waiting for a dining reservation he would look up Hidden Mickeys that were close by.