SPD and disney

[A MK Family]

Hi
I feel your pain! My DD has SPD with anxiety. Her trips at ages 2 & 4 were nightmares. We had some fabulous moments but it was at a high cost. But we sucked it up for my eldest DD. I now have better understanding of my DD and her triggers. I also know that there is no rationalizing in melt down mode. She went through a bolting period right before our last trip. I was terrified that it would happen at the park. So I took advise from her OT and used photo books used for ASD to explain each part of the trip-plane ride, lines, hotel etiquette, food, lines, characters etc. I went online and showed her some of the rides and explain lines, waiting turns etc. it helped. She understood what was happening and what was expected of her.

Bathrooms we horrible everytime the family one wasn't available.

Using the stroller in longer lines or crowded wait areas was a saviour. She would cocoon in it and shut out the world! I am not sure if you can still do this in the new system...

My biggest advice is no more than 2-3 hours at a time. Then we'd fine someplace low sensory and let her go crazy or rest. Even just climbing around a empty corner of the park!!

Our OT gave lots of great tips! Like pipe cleaners !! Great distraction!! And gum really releases tension for SPD kids...

Just adjust your expectations. You can have fun but it will be stressful.

We haven't been back since 2012. As I took to much abuse last trip and it want enjoyable. She now ( at 6) had developed really good coping skills so we are thinking of a fall trip. It does get better.

 

[Sefoti]

I'm not the mom of a APD child, so please feel free to disreguard.

But my youngest has a real sensitivity to noises. When she was younger, the sound of a fire alarm would turn her into quivering mass of jello. For our first WDW trip, I was concerned about all the loud noises and how miserable they would make her.

We got her Peltor Noise Reducing headphones, and they've made a huge difference in places like Disney. They come in child's sizes (and colors... she had hot pink as a child) and they're reasonably priced. (amazon carries them, as do a number of other places online.)

Another suggestion: if you can manage it, get to the parks at or before rope drop. Those first few hours are the best part of the day when it comes to crowds.

As to the princesses: consider a late breakfast at Aukerhaus in Norway. By 10:15 or so, it should be emptying out a bit from the morning crowds. And five princesses will stop by your table for autographs and pictures if your daughter wants... a lot of bang for your buck from one meal.

If she'll watch tv, would you consider bringing an inexpensive tablet for her to use on lines?

Thank you. This is very helpful. Mornings are usually very good for her as she seems to be a bit calmer so we will definitely try to get there early.

 

[Sefoti]

Hi
I feel your pain! My DD has SPD with anxiety. Her trips at ages 2 & 4 were nightmares. We had some fabulous moments but it was at a high cost. But we sucked it up for my eldest DD. I now have better understanding of my DD and her triggers. I also know that there is no rationalizing in melt down mode. She went through a bolting period right before our last trip. I was terrified that it would happen at the park. So I took advise from her OT and used photo books used for ASD to explain each part of the trip-plane ride, lines, hotel etiquette, food, lines, characters etc. I went online and showed her some of the rides and explain lines, waiting turns etc. it helped. She understood what was happening and what was expected of her.

Bathrooms we horrible everytime the family one wasn't available.

Using the stroller in longer lines or crowded wait areas was a saviour. She would cocoon in it and shut out the world! I am not sure if you can still do this in the new system...

My biggest advice is no more than 2-3 hours at a time. Then we'd fine someplace low sensory and let her go crazy or rest. Even just climbing around a empty corner of the park!!

Our OT gave lots of great tips! Like pipe cleaners !! Great distraction!! And gum really releases tension for SPD kids...

Just adjust your expectations. You can have fun but it will be stressful.

We haven't been back since 2012. As I took to much abuse last trip and it want enjoyable. She now ( at 6) had developed really good coping skills so we are thinking of a fall trip. It does get better.

What are the pipe cleaners for. Just to touch or stuffing? We actually found that stuffing pom poms in a hole or pipe cleaners was amazing for her. It seemed to really grab her attention.

 

[A MK Family]

Yes, the pipe cleaners were easy to put in the backpack and bring out in a restaurant or line or waiting for parade. She loved the fuzzy texture or making things with them. She would actually rub them along her nose (?). Guess it was calming...

 

[KalamityJane]

My oldest has SPD (I think my middle has some sensory triggers as well). We went to DL at 3y4m and 4y3m. I agree with the other suggestions, but wanted to add if you aren't staying at BLT/contemporary or Wilderness Lodge for MK or the Epcot resorts for DHS/Epcot, I would highly recommend it. I try to have an easy getaway, and those would be the easiest to get out of the parks quickly.

Also, my SPD girl is a seeker too, swimming really helps calm her down. Not sure how yours is, but having a small amount of park time and a large amount of swimming time really helped.

You mentioned you wear her, do you wrap her or have an SSC? I'm looking into the Kinderpack, my kids calm when I wear them and it helps center them.

How does she do with spinning? Would bringing a doorway jumper help?

 

[KalamityJane]

Oh, ask about deep pressure from her OT, you may be able to do that and joint compressions in line, may help a bit. Brushing as well.

 

[Aliceacc]

Also, in case you or someone else is unaware of it, the Kidcot stations at Epcot can be a great alternate to some of the more stimulating attractions:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/kidcot-fun-stops/

 

[Sefoti]

We do lots and lots of deep pressure. Her brother actually does it with her. Takes couch cushions off and smooches her. I also do joint compression which she loves and swimming is what I expect to we will do most of. She loves being in the water. Spinning is not the best for her. She loves to spin but she does not get dizzy so her therapist suggests lots of linear movers less spinning. I have a swing I can bring for over the door and we can swing her every morning before the park.

I use to wrap her but now I use an ergo because I have back problems. I am only 4 '10 so wearing her is quite hard on me. I will bring her girasol though. I use that to make a swing under tables as well as to swing her in the air. So if she gets over stimulated I can swing her anywhere or set up a hammock for her. We call it her quiet place. I would have never thought of that if you didn't ask about wrapping. I bet that will be a huge help for us.

 

[KalamityJane]

There was a thread for quiet places to go in DL that was invaluable for kids with sensory issues/asd, I wonder if there is something like that for WDW?

 

[KalamityJane]

Riding the monorail or the boat might be calming?

 

[Sefoti]

Ok so I edited the original post since most people were responding based on last years experience.

I am also adding a bunch of suggestions in the original thread that I have come up with after talking with other parents.

Another suggestion I can bring a marker. She does very good with a visual markers like sit on the rug and wait. So I may get like a big star which they used at gymnastics so she can stand on it in line which may help prevent her from smashing into people in front of and behind us.

 

[Sefoti]

There was a thread for quiet places to go in DL that was invaluable for kids with sensory issues/asd, I wonder if there is something like that for WDW?

That would be awesome. I'm sure I can find a blog if it's not in here.

 

[KalamityJane]

That would be awesome. I'm sure I can find a blog if it's not in here.

Found a blog - http://wdwautism.com/node/1312 It's from 2009 so YMMV, but there should be some good spots still.

 

[SueM in MN]

There was a thread for quiet places to go in DL that was invaluable for kids with sensory issues/asd, I wonder if there is something like that for WDW?

This was mentioned in this thread, but not with a link - Disney has a Guide for Guests with cognitive Disabilities, which came out in a October.
You can get a copy of the PDF file of the guide here:
https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...bilities-services/wdw_cognitive_guide_rev.pdf

It has a lot of helpful information for guests with any kinds of disabilities, not only cognitive. For example, a table that lists each ride and includes things like which have bumps or periods of darkness.
It also lists the estimated duration of each attraction some suggested places to take a break.

There was a thread I had started in October about these guides, which had some other suggestions and I think had some other suggested quiet places.

Ok so I edited the original post since most people were responding based on last years experience.

I am also adding a bunch of suggestions in the original thread that I have come up with after talking with other parents.

Another suggestion I can bring a marker. She does very good with a visual markers like sit on the rug and wait. So I may get like a big star which they used at gymnastics so she can stand on it in line which may help prevent her from smashing into people in front of and behind us.

Just in case you are not aware, most lines are in constant, slow motion. So there would not be an opportunity to use a visual marker.
What a lot of people do for that kind of lines is to use other members of their party as 'buffers' to keep some separation from other guests.

There are some attractions where all guests need to stand and wait for a while - those are listed in a post on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

 

[DawnM]

Disney is the one place my son actually did fine. He has Asperger's and sensory issues.

However, we also took him to DL from the time he was a baby and went at least once per month. It wasn't new for him. New places with crowds bother him, he doesn't know what to expect.

He just has started to want to go to movies within the past 2 years and now can finally handle loud music in places. For a long time he would just cover his ears. when he was little he would cover his ears and scream.

However, I would be careful about taking him places I would know he would not be able to handle. Disney may be one of those places for you. OR, it may be that your therapist will have ideas on how to prepare her better for it this time around.

But I would NOT put her in a situation where I know she would harm herself. I just wouldn't. There have been things in the past we have just simply not been able to do or enjoy because of our son with sensory issues.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Talk to the therapist for ideas
2. Find a family member with whom she could stay while you go to Disney
3. Take along a person to care for her (take her to a quiet place while you enjoy the parks if she needs it, stay in the room with her if needed, etc....)
4. Get a babysitter once you get there
5. Choose a more non-stimulating vacation

Dawn