Line Recommendations for Child with Aggression

[fairy8i8]

I have a foster child, who unfortunately has experienced some difficult things with other kids and is often afraid of them. This exhibits as aggression towards other children. We don't do Disney often with this child, especially because of other sensory issues, but the last time we went, we had DAS. Now, I am not sure he would get one with the new rules. I am trying to think of ways to help him (and the other families around us) have a positive experience in lines. I did previously get a stroller as wheelchair, and I think that helped a lot, but we also had shorter waits being close in line to others because of the DAS as well as extended family with us that could act as a buffer. I am not sure how a longer wait in line would be - other than previous experience at other parks where he was aggressive, and the other mom and I had to hold our large children uncomfortably and try to console each of them for 20 minutes and make as much separation as possible between them. Because of an injury, that wouldn't be possible for me now. Anyone have ideas on how to help triggered children in a longer line or prevent them in the first place?

 

[Angel Ariel]

I do think you should go through the DAS process and see what happens, especially given the issues you've described.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

As long as you have another adult that can wait in line you should be able to wait outside the queue and join through the LL if you are denied DAS, though the process isn’t as easy as it is with DAS.

It may be worth asking yourself though whether Disney is the right environment for a child who feels uncomfortable around other children. Is there a different experience that you might offer him instead which would also be special but less “stressful,” and save Disney for when he is further along in his recovery journey?

 

[Summer2018]

As long as you have another adult that can wait in line you should be able to wait outside the queue and join through the LL if you are denied DAS, though the process isn’t as easy as it is with DAS.

It may be worth asking yourself though whether Disney is the right environment for a child who feels uncomfortable around other children. Is there a different experience that you might offer him instead which would also be special but less “stressful,” and save Disney for when he is further along in his recovery journey?

Exactly what I was thinking. As an educator, I spend my days trying to create a safe and calming classroom environment in order to avoid triggers for my students with emotional disturbances while protecting my typical students during their violent outbursts. At times, we must evacuate our classroom in order to prevent injuries.

I don't think it is fair to a child struggling with aggressive trauma response to bring him to a crowded and chaotic place further causing him stress nor is it fair for the children who are afraid of these aggressive episodes. It's certainly not fair to unsuspecting guests who will not understand these behaviors while trying to enjoy their uber expensive vacation.

I would plan vacations in peaceful settings where all of your children can relax and have fun safely and in a stress-free environment.

 

[disneyseniors]

Exactly what I was thinking. As an educator, I spend my days trying to create a safe and calming classroom environment in order to avoid triggers for my students with emotional disturbances while protecting my typical students during their violent outbursts. At times, we must evacuate our classroom in order to prevent injuries.

I don't think it is fair to a child struggling with aggressive trauma response to bring him to a crowded and chaotic place further causing him stress nor is it fair for the children who are afraid of these aggressive episodes. It's certainly not fair to unsuspecting guests who will not understand these behaviors while trying to enjoy their uber expensive vacation.

I would plan vacations in peaceful settings where all of your children can relax and have fun safely and in a stress-free environment.

Well stated and I agree 100%. We have a family member who can't tolerate crowds, noise, and changing situations. She would Not be able to go to WDW or any other place like it. It is unfortunate but sometimes there is no other option. She goes to other places where she is comfortable and has fun, and that she can handle emotionally.

 

[fairy8i8]

Exactly what I was thinking. As an educator, I spend my days trying to create a safe and calming classroom environment in order to avoid triggers for my students with emotional disturbances while protecting my typical students during their violent outbursts. At times, we must evacuate our classroom in order to prevent injuries.

I don't think it is fair to a child struggling with aggressive trauma response to bring him to a crowded and chaotic place further causing him stress nor is it fair for the children who are afraid of these aggressive episodes. It's certainly not fair to unsuspecting guests who will not understand these behaviors while trying to enjoy their uber expensive vacation.

I would plan vacations in peaceful settings where all of your children can relax and have fun safely and in a stress-free environment.

I agree. This is what we most often do. I like to travel a lot, so the kids get a lot of experiences with trips, most of them low key and to places with fewer people like empty beaches, forests, mountains, and canyons. The wonderful thing is that with DAS and a stroller as wheelchair and going the slowest week of the year, we were able to take him to Disneyland successfully not just without any incidents, but with everyone having a magical time. He had such a great time (rides actually are wonderful for vestibular stimulation, and I sometimes view theme park rides as mini occupational therapy sessions), and sometimes experiences like this help him relate to other children who have gone, and they can talk about it and have positive experiences. It was wonderful that he could be included on a family vacation provided by my mother-in-law.

My husband and I are pretty good at keeping him regulated when he is with us, but it does require extra thought and skill. He needs a special class at school. He does well at Legoland CA so long as I have a stroller and their disability pass, and we had an annual pass there. (This is where the line incident happened when we went for the first time, and I learned that short lines and the stroller were a must for him). Legoland can be pretty empty midday during the school year, so the kids loved it since our school had different holidays, and we could go when Southern CA was in session. For anyone wondering, it is also known as a wonderful park for autistic children, which is why I tried it in the first place.

I have other children, and I would really like to take them to WDW. My oldest is graduating in a couple of years. I am exploring if that is possible (I do a lot of planning and structure for my kiddos in environments like WDW). After Disneyland, I would have said yes, but with the DAS changes, it may not be in the cards. I could always consider a Premier Pass and stroller as wheelchair during a less busy time, it's just REALLY pricy as we would have 6 people, so not sure if it is realistic budget-wise. He is improving greatly, but WDW is just another level, so if we decide to do something like this, it takes a ton of preparation and planning, even with a DAS.

Thanks so much for your wonderful comments and suggestions!

 

[Bete]

I do agree with the other posters that there may be better choices for a trip. If you are intent on going to WDW then pay for quicker ride access if you can't get DAS. Go on rides with shorter waits. You really don't need to go on every ride. Do more shows, character greetings and fireworks and parades.

In the ride queues you need to distract him with verbal games and conversation. If he can handle a phone, then play a game on the phone with him. If your party is big enough surround him with family in front of him and in back of him. Keep his eyes on you and not strangers. If necessary, leave the ride queue.

As an alternative think about Dollywood. It's easier. Also, you can enjoy the Smoky Mountains without worrying about crowds.

Go to a local zoo for practice with crowds. Then, you should be able to evaluate how realistic it is to go to an amusement park.

 

[SteveMouse]

Not trying to be a super-pain, but you also need to be ready to manage interactions with park security. I have a condition that puts me at risk of lifelong immobility when I undergo trauma. If someone were acting aggressively to me, and I were not provoking them, consistent with normal behavior, I would insist that they be removed from the environment.

My particular condition is very rare, but there are other conditions where individuals are at higher risk of falls from being pushed and the like, and they may express similar concerns.