Show Question - ADHD/ODD

[jemiaule]

Note: Mods, I hope it is ok to post this here. It could have been posted to the Theme Parks board but I feel more comfortable with it being here. If it is not appropriate I would prefer the thread just be removed if that is alright.

My youngest is ADHD/ODD and tonight I have been going over situations I can try to avoid this trip to make it more pleasant for everyone. One that struck me would be in shows where they ask for volunteers, call on children, etc. He cannot handle if he is not picked for things and this can cause tantrums, tears, depression...usually all three.

I am trying to make up a list of shows where they have guest participation so we can just avoid them this trip. The only ones I can think of off the top of my head are:

Turtle Talk with Crush (talk about "crush", this is the one that caused the most issues last trip. It took literally hours to get him cheered up after not being called on)

Playhouse Disney Live

Festival of the Lion King

We also have decided not to go hang out on the Boardwalk one night this trip to avoid any issues with the street performers who ask for volunteers.

Am I missing anything on my list?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There are the interactions with "streetmosphere" people at the Studio. Also, some of the countries in World Showcase have street performers who may ask Guests to participate.

 

[Earstou]

Would the Monsters Inc comedy show bother him? They put a few people on the big screen and talk to (or about) them.

 

[dizanimator]

The Indiana Jones Stunt show at MGM does have volunteers, but you need to be 18 or older to be an extra in the show. I don't know if he would be bothered if he isn't old enough, or if he would still get upset that he wasn't picked.
The water tank before the Catastrophe Canyon tram can also use volunteers, but they are generally picked before the show, so that picking from the audience isn't really visible unless you're standing next to someone else that is picked.

 

[irish dancer]

Oh my gosh.....this is completely my situation! How old is your DS? Our DS7 is ASD/PDD-NOS and cries whenever he isn't picked, he also likes to be first and right/win games.

Turtle Talk and Monsters Inc were both problems for us. Monsters Inc is very similar to Turtle Talk, they spotlight someone in the audience to 'talk' to. What was even more of a killer was that they picked someone just a few people down from us, hard to enjoy the show after that. He really wants to go to the shows but cries whenever he's not picked. We've never done the Indy show or Backlot Tour with him so I can't comment.

Oh yeah, just remembered the Woody Cowboy parade/show in MK also pulls kids in from the audience. Another one I'd avoid in future.

 

[Selket]

Are they doing the Star Wars Jedi Training Academy all the time now (thought I read once they were building a permanent stage for it)? That pulls lots of kids from the audience and is hard on those who don't get picked. That is outside by the entrance to the Star Wars ride at MGM.

The Power Rangers there can be hard to get all their autographs if it is a busy time of year. Not sure if that is an issue but make sure to arrive early and ask the CM's where each ranger will stand so you can get in line beforehand for your favorite one.

 

[jemiaule]

The Power Rangers there can be hard to get all their autographs if it is a busy time of year. Not sure if that is an issue but make sure to arrive early and ask the CM's where each ranger will stand so you can get in line beforehand for your favorite one.

Surprisingly autographs never are an issue. He knows that if we do not make it up to the front of the line we can wait while they are on break or try again later...in otherwords he knows that we will get to meet who he wants to see, we may just have a lot of waiting to do.

Thank goodness for character breakfasts! We have only had one problem at one of those. Minnie Mouse would not come by our table at Chef Mickey's in September. She made the rounds three times while we were there, visited every table around us and just would not stop at ours. We have no clue why. We sat their smiling patiently waiting for her and she skipped us every time.

With a show there is no way we can promise anything. He internalizes not getting picked and can get terribly upset and nothing sucks worse then trying to calm one of those "why does everyone hate me" meltdowns.

 

[jemiaule]

There are the interactions with "streetmosphere" people at the Studio. Also, some of the countries in World Showcase have street performers who may ask Guests to participate.

Ah, thanks for reminding me of those. I think with the interactions he may be ok....we may give those a test whirl and see how it goes.

 

[jemiaule]

Would the Monsters Inc comedy show bother him? They put a few people on the big screen and talk to (or about) them.

Thanks for reminding me about this show! But, I want to say no I do not think this would bother him. It is not a situation where he could raise his hand in advance to be picked for something. I think that is where it is the hardest for him; he just cannot handle that and views it as a rejection.

 

[livndisney]

Not sure if these would be considered but wanted to mention them.

At MK
The Family Fun Day parade runs several times a day and they showcase guests they have chosen ahead of time.
The Belle show near the castle. (Storytime with Belle) they choose boys and girls from the crowd.

At MGM
With the High School Musical show they choose boys and girls from the crowd during the show.

Epcot-Japan
The candy lady chooses a few people to make candy for.

 

[jemiaule]

Oh my gosh.....this is completely my situation! How old is your DS? Our DS7 is ASD/PDD-NOS and cries whenever he isn't picked, he also likes to be first and right/win games.

Ah, I have the newer model and I can tell you they have not improved them much. Mine is 5 and he turns 6 in March...and yes, he is the same way, extremely upset and cries when not picked (over the top dramatic at times too), has to be first, has to be right, has to win the game. These are tough lil guys at time aren't they!

Turtle Talk and Monsters Inc were both problems for us. Monsters Inc is very similar to Turtle Talk, they spotlight someone in the audience to 'talk' to. What was even more of a killer was that they picked someone just a few people down from us, hard to enjoy the show after that. He really wants to go to the shows but cries whenever he's not picked. We've never done the Indy show or Backlot Tour with him so I can't comment.

Yeah Turtle Talk is such a toughie DS...he wants SO much to be the center of attention, cannot get the concept that not everyone can be picked every time and get ssupremely heartbroken when not chosen.

 

[taximomfor4]

Pocahontas show at AK...they pick someone before the show, though, to open up the show by banging the drum.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I just wanted to add the "Pirate Tutorial" with Captain Jack at MK. I saw lots of faces fall, including my own son's, during that one.

 

[whgrn]

2 weeks ago at the HSM show, they didn't pick out of the audience so much as invite them to come up. I know the 2 little girls next to me went up at least 3 times. Maybe one time they were actually "chosen"

My DS10 was surprisingly OK with not being picked for the Jedi Training Academy. I KNOW how much he wanted to do it! He has ADHD too, but doesn't normally like to be in the center of attention, but he's a Star Wars nut, so this was different.

Wendy in NJ
Check out my trip report at www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1638072

 

[livndisney]

2 weeks ago at the HSM show, they didn't pick out of the audience so much as invite them to come up. I know the 2 little girls next to me went up at least 3 times. Maybe one time they were actually "chosen"

My DS10 was surprisingly OK with not being picked for the Jedi Training Academy. I KNOW how much he wanted to do it! He has ADHD too, but doesn't normally like to be in the center of attention, but he's a Star Wars nut, so this was different.

Wendy in NJ
Check out my trip report at www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1638072

The show we saw a few weeks ago, they actually sent children back that had not been "choosen".