Stroller for 9 yr old w/sensativity issues

[of2dbeach]

We have been to universal/ islands 2 times with DD who will be 9. She is VERY sensative to loud noises such as blasting music, some characters ( Curious George ( go figure ) he tried playing hide and seek and she flipped out started to hide behind me clutching my leg. We know she has issues we try to help her deal with them bring ear plugs etc. Wonderinf if the strollers would be big enough for her and if they might give her more security even if they do slow us down a bit? Any thoughts appreciated. pls dont be mean I know how to deal with issues My oldest DS is Autistic and is 18... Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

Here is what the single strollers at IOA look like. You will need to determine if she can fit in one. I don't have any pictures of the double stroller but that might be an option for you.

 

[of2dbeach]

Thanks I dont think she would fit in a single. At DW I think we got her a double and she sat sideways. I know someone posted before about using a stroller for an older child with sensory issues so it made me think of it for US also. thanks!

 

[dsmom]

my son is 13 and severely autistic.

we get him the double stroller and he fits in it fine. it seems to help
keep him calm. good luck- any other questions i'll be glad to help.

 

[of2dbeach]

oh thats good to know! We use ear plugs but she says it still bothers her. My DS dosent even go to the parks anymore. He rather stay with Grams at home and eat pizza. DS dosent seem to have issues with things that DD does and she isnt Autistic ( had her tested). So not sure what her issue is besides sensory.When talking to DS Behavior therapist he said just to walk her thru it but it is soo hard and alot of times she cant / wont speak so we are clueless whats going on unless its something obvious.She is trying new things and able to espress herself sometimes afterwards. I told her if she needs a break she has to let one of us know and we will stop and find a quiet spot. Any other suggestions will be great. how do you handle the noise besides the ear plugs?

 

[damo]

How about good headphones with some soft music that she has chosen on an ipod or something? There are some excellent headphones out there that are very small and comfortable and really block out the outside noise.

 

[dsmom]

we have headphones that are padded over the ears- very soft. sunglasses help too. we keep the top up on the stroller and that seems to help him feel safe.

he seems to do much better at universal than disney. disney has so much more going on- noise wise. he doen't like all the background music at disney and hates the fireworks. universal just seems more laid back and he does really well there now. it took a few visits but he loves it now. it helps that we are a 2 1/2 hour drive away so we can visit often.

we take lots of breaks - he loves to sit in resturants and just chill out and have a drink or snack. we take it very slow.

at citywalk he loves nba city and hated margaritaville.

i posted on another thread how helpful the employees at universal have been to our son. they will do anything they can to help out. let them know if you have a problem.

if i can think of anything else i will add it! take care...

 

[of2dbeach]

to dsmom I think its all the sensory issues thats why my DS dosent like Disney either. We are trying Universal with DD a few times before attempting it with him. he also has severe issues with elevators so the parking garage might be anightmare. Thats one thing his therapist is working on
we just talked about getting her an Ipod since she keeps "borrowing" her sisters. So that seems like it might work . The ear plugs dont seem to kill the noise. Why does Disney pipe in all that music and smells anyways? talk about sensory over load. We esperianced universal being much MUCH nicer to us them Disney even brining DD behind the scenes to alot of rides even HP on the second day of opening. We went up the staircast but didnt realize the pics talked UGH so hafta try that one again. I think more frequent breaks would help because yesterday she said she gets tired but dosent want to ruin it for us. So i told her you need to tell us and we will stop and rest and get an ice cream or something.. so much for my weight loss before the trip haha. thanks again everyone

 

[of2dbeach]

do you know the name of the headphones that are good with nocise. my DD ipod has ear buds that are soft. I like that idea because its small and I can toss it in my camera bag.Not sure how long it would stay charged but I am sure it will be fine
love the Great ideas

 

[damo]

There are some headphones that you can flip a switch to cancel out noise. Bose QC15 are very good.
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=...ncelling_headphones/quietcomfort_15/index.jsp

They have to be charged for the noise cancelling. They are pricey but may be exactly what you are looking for.

 

[SharkyGoddess]

I've seen people mention an Orlando Stroller rental place too, I think I have the name right anyway. I know once before when I looked, my son has sensory issues too, that they had big kid sizes.

I may have just parroted what someone else said, sorry if I missed a post with the same info

 

[of2dbeach]

cool will into the head phones
glad you said the name of the stroller company.. couldnt think of it !

 

[dsmom]

the bose headphones are great! for some reason a hat helps our son also-

universal is the only place he will wear one.

we do a lot of breaks before our son asks for one - that way he doesn't feel

guilty for slowing us down.

we just love the employees there! they have let our son" behind the scenes" also and it really helps!

At PB my husband drops us off at the entrance and parks himself and meets us

in the lobby - that way our son does not have to do the elevator.

i see your son has epilepsy - so does our son - it sure is challenging isn't it?

 

[of2dbeach]

yes she wears a hat also. we have a handicapped parking permit for Mike because of the Epilepsy. Sure is a challenge because he never had any before puberty. His first was a grand mal. they stopped timing it after 6 mins. his nurse at school used to work in the ER so i am thankful he had it there and she was with him. He has only had petit mal with us TG. we usually stay off site but if we bring Mike I think would be easier to stay on with him. I think your right to take more breaks with either of them. She wanted to go now but it is too stinkin hot. Like to wait till nov when they decorate for the holidays and it is cooler. Glad to know someone else has faced the same issues. I do love the way universal treats our kids and for that reason havent back to disney this year. Plus it seems the people in the parks arent as cranky at universal ?

 

[dsmom]

i think universal is just more laid back. disney is just so huge and it takes so

long to get from one place to another. i really don't blame people for getting so

cranky when you pay so much and want to get everything done- that's why we

stick with universal. we LOVE it during the holidays! we always try to go in

november an december.

we have the handicapped placard for our son also-be sure to tell them when

check in and the parking fee is waived.

our son had his first grand mal seizure on the school bus when he was 7

years old very scary!

maybe if we are there at the same time we can meet up

 

[of2dbeach]

Do you know of anything special DD8 would like to do there during the Holidays? We are still undecided to take our Son because frankly we need a break! Was thinking if we take him we could take my Mom then if she gets tired we could take them both back to the room. he is usualy happy seeing a few things then hanging out and watching tv so that might be another option. Will have to look at staying onsite if we do it that way seeing we usualy stay off site. For the waived parking you mean at the hotel right?
would love to meet up with you sometime

 

[dsmom]

if you do plan on staying on site go to Loews and sign up- it's free.

our son loves the Barney show- it's beautiful inside and you get to sit and relax.

if you do ET with your son watch out for a few flashing strobe lights - our son loves the ride but we have to cover his eyes a few places! we have to skip Storm Force - he loves teacups but had to bypass this because of strobes.

he loves the train is Seuss Landing. A nice place to relax is the Jurassic park climbing area - our son could stay in there for hours!

At Universal Studios there is an area called Alla's villas. It's just a series of building but there are seats and a pretty fountain- our son loves to sit there and relax.

i understand about the room and tv - the favorite part of the trip for our son is the resort room!

we are planning long weekends for both November and December - if our dates match would love to meet!

if i can think of any more tips i will post more...

 

[of2dbeach]

They tested him and he dosent seem to be bothered by the strobe lights but best to be careful just the same. Have you ever taken him to the talking fountain. MY DD8 LOVES it She could sit forever watching people talk to it. She wont ever do it though but she likes to watch. Did you get a discount on his park ticket? Not sure what are dates are yet but we are 3 hrs south of the parks. Will have to decide if we take him or not when it gets closer.They think he might be having night seizres so we might be doing another EEG. The fun never ends!

 

[dsmom]

we love the talking fountain too!

we did the EEGS also- our son had sleep seizures and he is now on supplemental oxygen for sleeping. good luck - i hope it all goes well.

i also remembered our son LOVES to sit in Louies. we finally realized he LOVES Frank Sinatra!

there is a real quiet place behind the Discovery center by the water. we've
spent plenty of time resting back there and the view is beautiful.

we are a 2 1/2 hour drive north of Universal.

are you near Miami? we LOVE Miami Beach!

 

[of2dbeach]

[/B
I think after all our brain storming sessions that we will try your hints with Emma seeing she has alot of sensory issues. Then if all goes well then take Mike with us the next time. I think he would flip over seeing the macys parade seeing we have to tivo it each year .I think taking our kids to the parks just takes extra planning and extra patience to even make it a go. No we are in West Palm Beach area but out west