Looking for ideas for YDS . . .

[2princes'mom]

Hello My little man has a significant speech delay along with a few others and I am just thrilled to be taking him to DW for the first time! I plan on getting an GAC to use his stroller "as a wheelchair" while we are in line so that he won't run and will have his space (hoping to cut down on sensory overload); so my question is this . . . what are some good ideas of small items to bring that might really capture his attention and help him to stay content in the stroller?

I have planned on bringing lots of bubbles (HE LOVES THEM), a small balloon filled with sand, a "koosh" ball, but I'm hoping for some ideas of some really unusal things that might catch his attention but are of course safe for him to have. Can you pass along any ideas you may have or have used successfully? Thanks so very much!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

When we were at DD's OT appointment yesterday, her therapist had this stress ball: http://www.officeplayground.com/DNA-Stress-Ball-Light-Up-P1161.aspx

DD was enthralled with it. It has a multicolored light in it that flashes when you squeeze it. DD handed it to me while she was working on some other activities, and it kept me entertained during the remainder of the appointment. I ended up ordering a couple of them last night and plan to bring one with us to WDW in August to help DD in lines and other places. I think it has a warning that it isn't for children under 3 because there are small balls inside the soft outer covering, but I wouldn't have a problem giving it to a 2 yo as long as I was right there supervising.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Many people will ask that you please don't bring bubbles. You'll be waiting in general in fairly confined spaces near others and those bubbles will get on other people. Not only that, but some people are allergic to ingredients in the bubbles. My only personal objections to them is having to clean them off my glasses (not a big deal) or my own kids wanting to chase them when they see them (a slightly bigger deal in a confined area). For those with allergies, it's a MUCH bigger deal. I would think they'd be fine in open areas at your resort, but please don't use them in lines.

What does he currently use to occupy himself when he's anxious or needing to sit still? Using objects that he's familiar with will be comforting in a place where everything's new.

We're huge fans of TourGuide Mike's service. We hardly have to wait in line because of everything we've learned from TGM. We really don't need to employ many tools because we've learned how to tour without lines. We even went over Christmas and hardly ever encountered lines. It was AMAZING!! Best $20 I spent on that trip. You can save $3 if you click the ad on the Theme Parks board (TGM is a sponsor of that board).

 

[2princes'mom]

I don't mean big bubbles that I blow for the kids to chase around, I'm talking about the wedding favor sized bubbles that I keep in my purse. This (to answer your question) is one of the things I use to keep him occupied and still. I simply bend down to his level while he is in his stroller and blow a few tiny bubbles towards him. Unless a big gust of wind comes up they never go anywhere but right to him. So far, I haven't had any complaints when we are in crowded areas (our local theme park, the mall, zoo, aquairum) However Disney is so much bigger and he'll be out and about longer so I'm trying to think of more things. But I will make sure keep an even more alert heads up, so that they don't touch anyone else, thank you for the advice.

As for other things that he uses to occupy himself, nothing keeps his attention more than a few minutes and then rarely again. That is why I'm hoping for some new interesting ideas so that when I break them out of my bag they will be interesting enough that he will enjoy them for that particular line.

I was just talking to my husband about RideMax - should I use TourGuid Mike instead? I already have our dinner reservations made, which means I already know which parks I'm going to on what days. Can it still help me?

THANK YOU BOTH btw for your thoughts!!!

 

[peemagg]

What about some of those cheap hand held games. I know he won't know how to play them, but when my nieces and nephew played with them, they were entertained for a while with the lights and sounds they made.

 

[ratlenhum]

Our first 2 trips to Disney I dragged around a big backpack full of stuff to occupy my son who has autism, no attention span and cannot stand still. None of it ever left the back pack!! He was so fascinated with the sights and sounds. Once we did use his ipod in a restaurant. I put his favorite movie and his Laurie Berkner DVD on his ipod and that helped.

How about a piece of Theraputty or a travel size magna doodle?