Sensory Processing Disorder

[tmdgrl825]

DS (18 months) and DD (21 months) both have sensory processing disorder due to prenatal drug use (both adopted at birth). DH and I are concerned that DD will not be able to tolerate the lines and general claustraphobic feeling as just going through the clothing racks at the store trigger a meltdown. DS is much more managable but also has his moments.

If you are not familiar with sensory processing disorder please do not chime in with a lecture on typical toddler behavior or other opinions.

We have heard that there is a guest services card that will allow us to forgo the lines if needed. We plan to not use it unless it is absolutely necessary. Does anyone have any experience with this service? Is all that is required a note from doctors/therapists stating that they do have SPD?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

There is a lot of information on the Disability Access Service (DAS) on the disABILITIES board. There are a couple of stickies there that explain the process in detail. The short version is, the DAS allows you to wait in a virtual queue, similar to a FP+, and you can only wait in one virtual queue at a time. So if you go to say, Peter Pan at 2:00 and the posted SB wait is 60 minutes, then a CM will write "3:00" on your card, and then you can go off and do other activities until 3:00. After you've road Peter Pan, you can repeat the process at the next attraction you want to ride, but you're only allowed one ride at a time...you can't have return times for multiple attractions open at once.

So, the short way of saying it is that DAS does allow you to skip the line, but not the wait. Also, you are given access to the ride through the FP+ line, which may have a (short) wait of its own.

ETA: You don't need a note from a doctor, and you don't need to offer your child's diagnosis. To get the card, you need to explain what your child's special needs are.

 

[Hannathy]

You still have to go thru the fast pass line, with the DAS

Another option often used for little ones like yours is to get a pass to use your stroller in the lines. This way they are in their stroller like a cocoon away from the people in line. Gives them a feeling of safety/security

 

[ChitownFamily]

OT: if you haven't heard of this site yet, it's great for some clothing & seamless socks. I could own stock in seamless socks. http://funandfunction.com
(((Hugs)))

 

[Burnedout]

You still have to go thru the fast pass line, with the DAS Another option often used for little ones like yours is to get a pass to use your stroller in the lines. This way they are in their stroller like a cocoon away from the people in line. Gives them a feeling of safety/security

This is what a friend with a four year old did recently. It worked perfectly for him.

As far as people not chiming in I've been working with kids for 30 years. A nt child can wig out just as well as a non nt child. And many of the same things work to calm them.

It seems to me that unless you are going during a really quiet time hit kids may enjoy very little of the trip. At four my friends was just old enough to see there was some good mixed in with the scary hard and ick. I suspect you don't want to hear that though.

 

[dholmes1950]

My grandson has a form of sensory processing disorder and we've taken him to Disney World every two years since he was 2 months old. (He's 9 now)

We've always tried to go when the crowds (and lines) are smaller, but he's done pretty well overall. It bothered him the most when the area where we were waiting was narrow or the lines and surrounding area were exceptionally noisy. That being said, we also take our cues from him. If he is getting especially agitated, we get out of line then and come back later or on another day.

The fast pass lines go pretty quickly and aren't usually congested so that will be helpful.

 

[BAMLuvMickey]

It's so nice knowing there are others out there with kids like my son.

He was recently diagnosed with SPD. Which explains why my last two trips to Disney with him were a NIGHTMARE!! Long story short, I'm excited to bring him again and I'm armed with all kinds of tools to use. Including making sure I get a DAS card for him(just in case)

I didn't know the stroller thing so a big thanks to the PP about that as even though he is nearly seven, we still use a stroller with him sometimes(because of the SPD, it has always just been easier)

 

[DisGirl819]

My daughter has ASD and a lot of sensory issues. She is now six but has been going to wdw since she was 8 months old. We always do the parks at her pace. We never get in line if a line is longer than 30 minutes and over the years have learned her triggers and try To circumvent meltdowns. I would use a stroller with a really good sun shade (we use a city mini double for both our kids) and take very frequent breaks. Be prepared to leave a park if need be. I've had to do that as well. We left mk after only 1.5 hours on the last trip. Made me sad but she just couldn't handle the crowds and noise. Anyway I know what you're going through with all the sensory issues. Good luck with your trip and yes check out the disAbilities board. They have loads of information.

 

[tmdgrl825]

Thanks for all the info! We actually went to WDW last year (in Oct) with them and they did really well. The worst line for us was Ariel's grotto. We just wanted to be able to have a back up plan in case she was having a rough time this year. We'll be going in September so it should be fairly low crowds. The staying the stroller option won't work for us because it would just make the confined feeling worse for her. We have really tried everything with her and her therapists are at a loss for what else to try.

 

[tatoet]

Thanks for posting this topic! When my son was 2 1/2 years old he was in OT for sensory issues. When he turned 3 he didn't qualify for special education services through the school district and our insurance refused to pay for an evaluation by a specialist. When he turned 4 he was referred to a psychologist and diagnosed with ADHD hyper impulsive type. We have seen him make progress but he still has sensory issues and I am wondering how he will do at Disney World with the crowds, stimulation, change in routine, and weather. We have minimal issues at home as long as we stay on our regular routine but as soon as we get into a public setting he struggles and it is challenging for us. I look forward to reading any strategies that are suggested!

 

[Sunbeamblue2002]

Hello, Its been sometime that we've been to Disney but I will tell you the two greatest buys I've ever made were noise cancelling headphones and a hat. I have more hats then I can count cause he's forgotten it. We did Disney twice and they were most helpful in helping when I asked esp with food related issues. My son is now 14 and although we still have many issues it does get better with age.

 

[Karenj2]

Do they prefer to be held? If so, maybe a carrier of some sort (Ergo, Tula, etc.) would be good. They face in, which can help with over stimulation. I used them with my now 4yo when she was around 1yo. We also brought a stroller, but for the lines, she'd go on my back.

 

[BAMLuvMickey]

Hello, Its been sometime that we've been to Disney but I will tell you the two greatest buys I've ever made were noise cancelling headphones and a hat. I have more hats then I can count cause he's forgotten it. We did Disney twice and they were most helpful in helping when I asked esp with food related issues. My son is now 14 and although we still have many issues it does get better with age.

LOVE the headphones. we have brought them with us to fairs the past couple years. even though my son was recently diagnosed, i knew something wasn't right but nobody listened. so i started my own research, and learned tricks on my own(like the headphones)

Wondering what the hat is for though? mine wont keep a hat on his head but the world will fall apart if he doesn't have his watch...

 

[Nennie]

My son (age 3) was initially diagnosed with SPD, and just recently was amended to ASD.

Stroller as a wheelchair was a lifesaver for us! Look into the DAS as well (I haven't been there since the DAS was implemented), but definitely get the stroller/wheelchair sticker. You can put it on a double stroller too!!!

The only place I had an issue with the stroller as a wheelchair, were the indoor meet and greets. We would get reprimanded, show the sticker, be okay, then get reprimanded by another CM 2 minutes later. It was a little annoying! LOL!!

Also, if your children are visual seekers, they will be in all their glory!!!!!! DS was flapping away with delight!!! ha ha!!!!

 

[kim532]

My son has sensory issues that have required therapy. The stroller with the large canopy is our life saver on our vacations. When we see him starting to meltdown, he can go in there to calm down.

He will be turning 8 on our next trip and we are still getting a stroller so he can have his place to retreat to when necessary.

Kim

 

[kim532]

If you are not familiar with sensory processing disorder please do not chime in with a lecture on typical toddler behavior or other opinions.

I want to add a (((HUGS))). I completely understand where you are coming from. Everyone seems to think they are an expert on your raising children that are not their own.

Kim

 

[Burnedout]

The other item my friend found helpful with the stroller was a lightly weighted blanket. It didn't have all the fillers in it to make it easier to deal with bjt she took about half.

 

[tmdgrl825]

Our problem is that she likes to keep moving if in the stroller. I think that the plan for us right now will be to go the DAS route. We will use it when wait times may be long so that we can go wander around for the wait time and not be trapped with a screaming, inconsolable child in the middle of a line with no way out! Like I said, last year they both did surprisingly well with only a few rides that caused issues. I'm hoping for a repeat this year but want to have a few ideas in place should we need them. I have no idea how we managed it, but last year we didn't even use any fastpasses!

I have tried to use a carrier with other children but could never find one that fit correctly (I'm "blessed" up top ) and never really have found an option to use with her. She wants to be held to an extent but then wants to not be touched after she gets to a certain point and that's the time I'm concerned about.

 

[Mommaof3]

My daughter has several issues of this type and we have taken her to Disney many times through the years. She is grown now. Many great suggestions so far. Try to avoid going too long and wearing them out. My daughter did ok until she became tired. Often we took her off the main path to a quiet corner and ate a mickey bar or let her have her headphones with her music for a bit. Yours could take a quick nap, you could sing songs with them or blow bubbles. Whatever will calm them. Sometimes that was enough to get her back on track and sometimes we just needed to head to the hotel. Also in lines, we keep her between us. She needs us to be her boundary between her and "the world". Have fun.

 

[msmama]

You already know this, but there is plenty to do at WDW without riding rides. My son seems to be the opposite of yours so having him cocooned in his stroller was a good thing.

I guess I'd suggest giving her space as often as you can. The Boneyard at AK is a good place to run, as is Honey I shrunk the kids at HS. I've always found out of the way places at the World Showcase as well.

If it gets to bad and she's not tolerating lines, it is possible to just keep moving and still do and see a lot of things!!