Sensory overload at DW

[disneymommy505]

My dd is 6 and we are going to DW. I've started to get a bit nervouse about her hypersensitivity to sensory input, mostly unexpected touch and sound. We've been watching videos on youtube to prepare her and help her decide what she would most likely be comfortable with. She really wants to eat at T-rex but after watching a few videos told me it would be too loud and the lights would bother her which I thought would likely be the case. Between teh 2 of us we have a good grasp of what bothers her most the time. She gets worse when she's more tired though so I'm a little concerned about our last day or 2 of the 6 day trip. We don't plan to stay for fireworks everynight to avoid some of the exhaustion. I have a stroller we are taking to give her a "safe" place to get away from things. We have headphones to reduce noise levels for her. Any other suggestions or things I may not have thought of?

 

[krisnme]

I would just suggest you make lots of time to take breaks in quiet places, you can even stop in the baby/first aid station for a cool place to take a break. think about going back to your hotel for lunch and a swim or nap part way thru the day, then you can return to the parks later when it is cooler. I have found that DD is at his worst when he hasn't had enough to drink or gets too much sun, bring snacks from home and really push the fluids. A great place to watch the fireworks is from the train station, go up the ramp to the upper level. get there early. you can put a blanket and snacks in a locker on the lower level when you enter the park, then get them out and enjoy a break while waiting for the fireworks. this helps us to refuel for a few more hours at the park. hope you have a great trip!

 

[bookwormde]

Sound like you know your child and have a good handle on things. Do not underestimate the magic of WDW with our kids and how much if contributes to helping them to manage things. Just take your time and listen to your child and have fun and do not worry aobut the rough spots.

bookwormde

 

[csharpwv]

One major thing that you can do is ALWAYS walk with her on the far outside right. Keeping her to the far outside right will keep her out of the MIDDLE of the crowd where unexpected contact with others/strangers has a greater chance of happening.

If you focus on making sure she is on the right regardless of what direction your are walking will help avoid unexpected contact.

Hope that helps a little!

 

[oscarsmummy]

I brought along a couple of familiar favoured toys from home for my DS3.I kept them hidden in the stroller and then could bring them out in stressful times in the Parks, seemed to really help.

Also I would second that quiet times every couple of hours are really useful,Hope have a great trip

 

[staceyhzoo]

My dd 5 has Asperger's and Sensory Processing Disorder (also a generalized anxiety disorder) and we've been going to DW since she was 22 months.
It amazes me how much she is able to cope with and I guess the Disney Magic just takes over and she's so calm. We do take a stroller so she can rest, low muscle tone and get away from people that get too close for her comfort. Last year we didn't need the ear protection. Her therapist have commented how calm she is when we get back and we are toying with moving closer to DW, but I don't want to burn her out. We always read her cues and head to the room if she is getting stressed. Last Oct she outlasted us all and was up and ready for rope drop almost every morning.
She's been to CRT (loved it), California Grill (her fav), Le Cellier (awful food/waitstaff), the Italian place in Epcot (horrid), Chef Mickey's (characters are great with her), Ohana Friends breakfast (loved), and we walked into T-Rex and she immediately turned and ran. It wasn't her thing.
We get a GAC, and use the stroller as wheelchair and also have a quiet place to wait. It may take longer for an attraction, but it lessens her anxiety so it's worth it. We always take a favorite toy or something with us in the parks, I also try and have crayons and paper for her (hard to do in the summer). So many of the CM are wonderful and seem to sense she's not NT. She has no social skills and refused eye contact with anyone she isn't very familar with. Last year she danced with Marie in Epcot and let a CM hold her hand and help her on HM!
You can ask the folks here. Last year I worked myself into a fit with the worry and what ifs. It was for nothing. They told me to Relax and I that is what I did and we had a great time. (We took my grandmother with us last year so I had another aspect than just us 4-kids loved it but she drove me a little crazy) I'm sure you know her well enough to know when she's had enough. We always schedule a down day: swimming, sleeping in, looking around the resorts, etc. We don't always take it but it's there if we need it.
Have a magical time!

 

[krisnme]

We always schedule a down day: swimming, sleeping in, looking around the resorts, etc. We don't always take it but it's there if we need it.
Have a magical time!

I agree! the "down day" is one thing I don't think we could manage without, not just for DS, but for me! everyone can get really burnt out after a few days. we like to go down to the tourist strip for a non-disney meal and a few cheap souviners. the kids like to walk thru all the shops and we really take it easy.

 

[disneymommy505]

Thanks. I was amazed at how much the magic took over everything. We ran into very few meltdown issues. Dd did use the stroller almost all teh time(best $25 I spent for the trip too). We had a meltdown after we did BBB and had to redo her hair so it was less tight and not all up. Not a bigdeal. She started crying before we had even left the store that she wanted it down. It got so bad that we went in search of a pacifier as a last resort butonce her hair was redone everything was fine. The only other problems I ran into were rides. Big Thunder Mountain whiich she had insisted on riding resulted in leaving the park to swim and calm down for a few hours before dinner. It was too much speed and hills and turns and wind for her. That was the first day and then the last day she wanted to ride Splash mountain and she was scared and over stimulated by the dark, noise, and hills. That was easy to change by riding toy story spin again. She did an amazing job and I was so proud of her. She met every character and danced with some and talked to them. This is my child that won't even stand by teh Easter Bunny so for her to do this was a really big thing. She even hugged Thumper and Miss Bunny I was worried for nothing. She did amazing and I went in expecting some ups and downs. Her biggest complaint was that it was so hot so we bought a misting fan and she didn't complain again but she was soaked from spraying herself with the fan so much.

 

[csharpwv]

I can just imagine the joy that was in your soul watching your child interact with the characters in such a free spirited way! Totally unafraid!

We took the Keys to the Kingdom Tour last year and the some of the most touching stories that our tour guide shared were instances that sound a lot like yours. Kids with special needs, stimulation limits, etc just opening up and becoming free to be themselves without fear of danger or undue caution.

There is something so beautiful about WDW in that everyone is equal, all have a good time, and there is something for everyone - every interest - and every ability level.

I am SOOO happy to hear you had a magical time!

Here's to the next trip!

 

[tinkslite]

Is 16 now, and has been vacationing disney style since age 4. Some of our favorite "chill" spots:

1. If you are at the Magic Kingdom: Duck into First Aid and explain sensory overload and needing aplace that is quiet/cool. She can lay down, get a drink of water, take some time.
2. Our favorite place to lunch during an MK day is the Cafe at the Grand Floridian. It is very quiet midday, easy to reach via the monorail, and the staff is very accomodating. You can have a real "down time" meal here, and we have done this without ADRs at all different times of year. Very Pleasant.
3. My favorite character meal (less noisy and frenetic than others) is also at the Grand Floridian. It is a buffet meal, cannot remember the name. Fun and much calmer than most. No dancing or napkin waving. The last time i was there it was Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland and their friends.
4. DD also enjoyed the Wonderland Tea held here (xtra charge) small group experience. Much easier way to have a character interaction.

If you are at EPCOT
1. again utilize First Aid......Also be sure to get a GAC at the GS upon entering the park. It will help with minimizing the toucing involved in crowded line areas.
2. consider a wheelchair if she is getting tired/cranky. this is a huge park and a lot of walking may make her "prickliness" to touch more pronounced. Sitting in a wheelchair creates a bigger "stranger bubble" around her.

If you are at the Studios
1. restating Gac and first aid.
2. once, when my daughter melted down here, near gs we popped in and asked if there wasn't a quiet place to cool out nearby. They excorted us back to a small living room like lounge in back; and while we were taking deep breaths and settling down 3 princesses and Aladdin joined us!!!! They were very quiet and subdued and when she had calmed enough, they posed for photos and signed her book. Just an added magical xtra
3. STAY NEAR/ON PROPERTY for naps and quick escapes

If you are at Animal Kingdom
1. WHEELCHAIR bubble was most important this day......Try to do this day early. The park is huge and hot and very very noisy.

Ask ask ask for help from cast members they are happy to point you to the nearest quiet resting spot (often secret out of the way ones like the lounge at the back of GS in the Studios).

General tips
ear plugs for fireworks and parades to muffle the sound a bit
sunglasses to reduce the glare
a hat with brim if she will wear one
GAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[staceyhzoo]

Thanks. I was amazed at how much the magic took over everything. We ran into very few meltdown issues. Dd did use the stroller almost all teh time(best $25 I spent for the trip too). We had a meltdown after we did BBB and had to redo her hair so it was less tight and not all up. Not a bigdeal. She started crying before we had even left the store that she wanted it down. It got so bad that we went in search of a pacifier as a last resort butonce her hair was redone everything was fine. The only other problems I ran into were rides. Big Thunder Mountain whiich she had insisted on riding resulted in leaving the park to swim and calm down for a few hours before dinner. It was too much speed and hills and turns and wind for her. That was the first day and then the last day she wanted to ride Splash mountain and she was scared and over stimulated by the dark, noise, and hills. That was easy to change by riding toy story spin again. She did an amazing job and I was so proud of her. She met every character and danced with some and talked to them. This is my child that won't even stand by teh Easter Bunny so for her to do this was a really big thing. She even hugged Thumper and Miss Bunny I was worried for nothing. She did amazing and I went in expecting some ups and downs. Her biggest complaint was that it was so hot so we bought a misting fan and she didn't complain again but she was soaked from spraying herself with the fan so much.

I'm glad the magic worked for your dd too! I have a picture of dd and ds with Thumper and Miss Bunny, it looks like Miss Bunny is eating my ds. DD pointed her finger at Miss B and said don't nibble on my brother! My dd is a selective mute and rarely speaks to strangers or in complete sentences.

Gotta Love that Disney Magic!

 

[SueM in MN]

I wanted to point out that there is more information about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs) in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

Many people find the biggest help is being able to use a stroller as a wheelchair since that gives a 'safe haven' with little stimulation.

Even though some attractions have a separate waiting area, they are not always that far from the other guests - they are often just a separated area next to the 'regular' area. This is a picture of the waiting area for Monsters' Inc. Laugh Floor.

The regular line is to the left of the picture and the disability line is to the right. By the time the show is almost ready to begin, the area on the left will be full of people and the CMs keep encouraging guests to keep moving forward.
The area to the right may have only one family or be rather full, depending on how many people with special needs are waiting.

Knowing when to go by using one of the iPhone or other smart phone apps or things like touringplans.com can help you in ways a GAC can't. For example, a GAC can only help with attractions and very often doesn't shorten the time you are waiting. If the park is busy, you will still run into a lot of crowds just getting from place to place. The different touring plans can help you to be in the least busy parts of the least busy park.