Shoes and sensory issues

[711heather]

My Aspergers son is 14 and we are going to try Disney the end of July. I have two girls who are hopefully going to have the time of their lives. I pray my son does to. My big question is shoes. My son wears tennis shoes and anytime we try to switch to a new pair or try him on flip flops we have major melt downs and it takes a long time to convince him to try. I am worried that his feet will sweat and he will be miserable if he wears his tennis shoes in the parks. I am also worried that if his feet get wet which I am sure they will on some rides he will melt down. I was thinking of trying some sort of sandal but don't know which is best. I also don't know what shoes are allowed on rides at Disney. Can anyone give me some advice pretty please!

 

[lanejudy]

I recommend good tennis shoes/sneakers! Standard flip flops really provide no support to the foot and after a full day of walking I can't imagine how tired those feet feel. I suggest getting another pair just like his current pair, and starting now get him to alternate between them - that way both will feel just as comfortable. If you're concerned about sweaty feet, get some good wicking socks; they tend to be more expensive but keep the feet drier than standard cotton socks.

I suppose a good fitting sandal with good support is another option, just make sure none of the straps rub anywhere (toes, heel) or he'll have blisters and likely will never agree to wear them again! I don't know that Disney has a "shoe policy" and you'll see all kinds - from spike heels to flip flops and everything inbetween.

Primarily, make sure he's wearing something comfortable that fits well. The average person walks 8-10 miles per day at WDW. I wouldn't try to force him into something he's not comfortable wearing - sore, tired feet can ruin a vacation!

 

[Piper]

You could just get 2 or 3 pairs of the same sneaker and trade out to have him break them in. Then take them with you and take an extra pair to the parks. That way you can trade out if they get wet. I would get 3 pair--that way you do have an extra back in your hotel room for a spare.

 

[ttintagel]

You could just get 2 or 3 pairs of the same sneaker and trade out to have him break them in. Then take them with you and take an extra pair to the parks. That way you can trade out if they get wet. I would get 3 pair--that way you do have an extra back in your hotel room for a spare.

That's what I'd do. Tennis shoes are pretty breathable, so I don't think swaet will be too big of an issue. Especially if he wears good socks.

 

[711heather]

Thanks everyone. I am going to get another pair of sneakers and try those socks. I hope it works!

 

[mom2girls1974]

I have Aspergers myself, as does my oldest dd, and when we went to DL we both took two pair of the same brand (well the same of each pair that we were wearing KWIM?) and then in the park I had in my pack a change of socks, and a blister pack, I used the change of socks for us both at lunch time, and honestly never once used the blister pack because we had broken in our shoes.
We had spent three months up to our trip walking, we started small, and by the time we went both my kids could walk 5km easy - and my youngest turned 5 on that trip....we will do the same on our trip to WDW as well. It worked well for us.
I have MAJOR sensory issues, far more than either of my girls, and my feet are a big issue for that, shoes, socks ect- ask away if you have questions, I am happy to answer.

 

[LilyWDW]

I can't comment on the sensory issues, but wanted to comment on the shoe issue.

I ONLY wear a well worn (but not worn out) pair of light weight tennis shoes on park days. They give me support and they don't rub. I do make sure they are light weight so that they breathe well. Also, I use the moisture whisking socks to help with rubbing and keeping my feet from getting sweaty.

Pretty much, think about what you would want to wear while walking or running while working out.

The only thing I will do different this year is to be sure to bring a second pair as we will have more park time this next trip. I also bring flats for non-park days and dress shoes for our nice meals.

 

[Hannathy]

That is all 3 out of 4 us us ever wear to the parks, my DD sometimes wears sandals. We have worn them in August and it wasn't any difference than in October.

There are only 2 rides he will get his feet wet anyway, the biggest would be Kali so just do that one on the way out.

 

[nyrebecca]

I vote for the extra pair of shoes idea. We have two of the same for my son who is on the spectrum. We carry the spare and a change of clothes with us as well. Lord knows if he THINKS there is a wet spot on him he wants to change.

I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I also vote for 3 pairs of tennis shoes, alternating the pairs in the time leading up to the trip so all 3 pairs are broken in and comfortable for him. Have him wear one pair and carry a second pair wrapped in a plastic bag in case it rains (along with an extra pair of socks) in a backpack or rent a locker at the parks. Keep the third pair back at the room so you can switch out if one pair gets wet and needs more than overnight to dry.

My DD and I both usually wear tennis shoes in the parks because they are the most comfortable shoes for us when we are walking so much. I'm not a huge fan of flip flops either so I don't see a point in trying to convince your DS to try them.

 

[JennyDrake]

I ONLY wear tennis shoes in the parks. I have crummy knees and have to wear GOOD shoes. I cannot fathom flip flops in the parks, although I know people do like them!

 

[tiggertwin]

Hello

I have spent the past 3 years working with children on the spectrum and one of the things I have found that works with my higher function clients was priming, either with social stories or just by talking to them about the situations they are going into. Would it be to difficult to perhaps get the shoes wet when he is in his comfort zone at home to desensitize or prep him in case that happens? Like other people have said, bringing several pairs of the same shoes or avoiding water rides. I hope I have been of some help and I hope you guys have a wonderful trip!

 

[mom2girls1974]

We will not be going on water rides (like the above said) with our daughter (also ASD) it is just way to stressfull for her/us, but her sister would love them, so one of us will take the younger on some of the water rides, and the faster rides (my older hates that to) and my older will do something she will enjoy.....another good thought - so many great minds, not sure if that works for your family. We will be watching you tube video's of the rides ect as well so that she sees what it is like, and has some ideas. (Again like someone said about story boards, same idea, only for a only,very high functioning kiddo).

 

[Earstou]

I learned a long time ago that I would not win in the shoe battle. (Picture if you will, shoe #1 flying across the room while I put shoe #2 on him, then while I retrieve shoe #1, shoe #2 goes flying past me!!)
So now we don't even try to get him into other shoes.
I definitely agree with having multiple pairs of sneakers and the wicking socks, that is what we do, for WDW and camp.

 

[711heather]

My goodness I had to laugh about the shoes being thrown across the room. Only someone who goes through that can relate. I though I was the only one. Even though my son is 14 it sometimes takes two of us to get his shoes on it he is not in the mood to wear them. And yes they can go flying as well. It is easy to laugh when you are not in the moment. But when it has been 15 mins or more the frustration can get intense. Thank you all for sharing. It feels good to know I am not alone.

 

[mom2girls1974]

oh you are in good company lots of us here get the shoe battle LOL.

 

[maganda]

I agree that two or three of the same kind of shoe, well broken in, would probably work. Not sure if your son will tolerate it but sometimes a light spray of antiperspirant on the bottoms of the feet and between the toes can help minimize the sweating.
He might bristle at the smell or sensation but if he's already wearing some form of deodorant or antiperspirant you can explain that it does the same purpose for his feet. My son has autism too and he's sensitive about a lot of stuff but not shoes so much. Best of luck to you.

 

[711heather]

Wow I would of never thought of the spray for his feet. That is a cool idea. I am not sure if he would freak out but I can try. I am also going this weekend probably and getting another pair of shoes. Any other advice to help make him as comfortable as possible? I need all I can get.

 

[Earstou]

Wow I would of never thought of the spray for his feet. That is a cool idea. I am not sure if he would freak out but I can try. I am also going this weekend probably and getting another pair of shoes. Any other advice to help make him as comfortable as possible? I need all I can get.

The second pair of shoes need to be broken in, not newly purchased shoes! New shoes can cause problems for anyone.
A little foot powder might help with sweating feet, too. But I know my guy wouldn't use powder or deodorant.

 

[lilsk8nmac]

I've worked in the shoes business for a long time and what I've found with working with kids that have Aspergers and spectrum issues is that they sometimes have sensory issues with the inside of the shoe or sock and how it fits.
If you would like you may PM me here and I could go into further detail about what I've found works.