Tactile Defensiveness

[Hillyz]

Hi

I am taking my son who will be 5 on a 9 day trip end of Aughst thru Beginning of September. He is NOT on the spectrum. But he has been diagnosed with Sensory Processig Disorder and ADHD. He has gone to theme parks before Sesame Place and Hershey Park and loves them. He loves rides. Roller coasters. No fear. He is Ok on lines most of the times. However the last few months his tactile defensiveness has gotten worse. Starting to turn his pants inside out. Taking off underwear. Etc. I was not planning on getting a GAS card but with his recent issues lately I was considering it but not sure what they would be able to do with him. He does touch people's faces. Grabs at things. He has some loud noise issues but it is minimal compared to his touch.

Can anyone give me some perspective as to whether it would help? What could be provided for him? Etc?

 

[SueM in MN]

Anything you have read about GAC (Guest Assistance Card) is out of date.
The current program is called Disability Access Service, which many people abbreviate as DAS.
That may be what you were trying to type, but I just wanted to clarify because there is still a lot of info out there about GAC and DAS works very differently.

There is a post about DAS at WDW that is stuck near the top of this board. It should be able to answer most of your questions. I'm planning on doing a new version of that thread, but until I do, just be aware that the first post is up to date and posts after were written before and when DAS first rolled out.

To give a quick explanation, the accommodation given by DAS is being able to wait outside of regular line. You get a Return Time that is roughly equal to the wait time in the regular line minus 10 minutes.
When that time comes, you can enter the attraction using the Fastpass line. So, you will be waiting in that line, but the majority of your wait will be outside of line in a place you choose.

Between now and your trip, you may be able to get some help from his teachers and therapists regarding his issues. I'm not sure if you meant he takes clothing off in public or just likes to put them on at home inside out.
There are more sensory friendly clothes that may help him (things like no labels, soft or covered seams).

The therapists should also be able to help with issues like touching others and impulsive behaviors - they may use social stories.
For while you are in line, you can use other members of your group as 'buffers' between you and other people.
Some kids also do well with using a stroller as wheelchair (more info on the DAS thread). That allows you to use a stroller in line, where it can act as a safe haven and separator for the child.

 

[gap2368]

if your child has problems with noises you might want to get him some noise canceling head phone, or something to block out the noises. as fair as the GAC it is now the DAS a DAS card will allow you to wait out side the line but you still wait. you can get one at GR at the front of the park ( and no one here or on the phone, or in any chat can say whether or not you will get one, only the person at GR can decide that )
but you will need to exesaine his needs in line, think about what happens when he is in a crowded area with a lot of things going on. if you are unsure if he would need a DAS card you might want to try with out first and see how he dose this way you can go in to GR and say in line my child has a hard time or he dose and for the most part if you get to the parks at RD most ( not all) but most lines are walk on to 10 minutes and you can get a lot done.

other things that might help to let him run off some energy if you are staying on site I think all the resorts have play grounds or a simple how fast can you run to that thing up a head ( and do this with no one or very little people around) if he is someone that dose well on a schedule have one even a lose one like we are going to MK monday and we have FP for these rides ( and let him know they might be down) we are going to have breakfast at the hotel lunch here and dinner here we are going to find a spot for the parade about an hour before and rest and have a snack that we bring with us. the schedule can be as detailed as you like or what ever he needs.

I hope you have a great trip with your son and I am very sorry for all of my spelling grammar mistakes I do hope you can read and understand this if not I will try to re- say what ever if you would like.

 

[Hillyz]

if your child has problems with noises you might want to get him some noise canceling head phone, or something to block out the noises. as fair as the GAC it is now the DAS a DAS card will allow you to wait out side the line but you still wait. you can get one at GR at the front of the park ( and no one here or on the phone, or in any chat can say whether or not you will get one, only the person at GR can decide that )
but you will need to exesaine his needs in line, think about what happens when he is in a crowded area with a lot of things going on. if you are unsure if he would need a DAS card you might want to try with out first and see how he dose this way you can go in to GR and say in line my child has a hard time or he dose and for the most part if you get to the parks at RD most ( not all) but most lines are walk on to 10 minutes and you can get a lot done.

other things that might help to let him run off some energy if you are staying on site I think all the resorts have play grounds or a simple how fast can you run to that thing up a head ( and do this with no one or very little people around) if he is someone that dose well on a schedule have one even a lose one like we are going to MK monday and we have FP for these rides ( and let him know they might be down) we are going to have breakfast at the hotel lunch here and dinner here we are going to find a spot for the parade about an hour before and rest and have a snack that we bring with us. the schedule can be as detailed as you like or what ever he needs.

I hope you have a great trip with your son and I am very sorry for all of my spelling grammar mistakes I do hope you can read and understand this if not I will try to re- say what ever if you would like.

Thank you!! My concerns are more with his tactile issues than his auditory. He loves theme parks. Is ok in lines. Does have a ton of energy. I am just thinking for instance he likes to touch people's faces, if there are any uncomfortable touches on any of the rides, etc. I have not been since 1989 and I don't remember it so more or less this is a first for both of us. He is very sensitive on his legs and shoulders.

 

[gap2368]

here is the guide for guest with disability ( cognitive )https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...bilities-services/wdw_cognitive_guide_rev.pdf it has detals about each ride and what to expect more about the DAS and what you can do to get one ( if you and disney think it is right for him as only the CM at GR can say whether or not it is) . since he has a lot of energy I would let him run around some where safe hotels have play grounds, Tom Soyor island at the MK places where there are not a lot of people ( I know easer said then done at disney)

a lot has changes since 1989 I think you will have so much fun.

 

[redberyl]

Some of the 3d shows have a tactile component, where they will suddenly blow air on you to cause a tickle or a quick spray of water

 

[DisneyOma]

Hi

I am taking my son who will be 5 on a 9 day trip end of Aughst thru Beginning of September. He is NOT on the spectrum. But he has been diagnosed with Sensory Processig Disorder and ADHD. He has gone to theme parks before Sesame Place and Hershey Park and loves them. He loves rides. Roller coasters. No fear. He is Ok on lines most of the times. However the last few months his tactile defensiveness has gotten worse. Starting to turn his pants inside out. Taking off underwear. Etc. I was not planning on getting a GAS card but with his recent issues lately I was considering it but not sure what they would be able to do with him. He does touch people's faces. Grabs at things. He has some loud noise issues but it is minimal compared to his touch.

Can anyone give me some perspective as to whether it would help? What could be provided for him? Etc?

In a queue, he's not going to have access to other people's faces. Having him stand between two adults in your group would provide a buffer as well. If you are bringing a stroller for him, you can get a tag at guest services to allow it in line, and he can have his defined space in there.

 

[Hillyz]

Some of the 3d shows have a tactile component, where they will suddenly blow air on you to cause a tickle or a quick spray of water

Thank you! This is the kind of things in looking for. Thank you!!

 

[gap2368]

things that have things that puff air or scary water at you that I cn think of

MK

Philter magic
stick great escape
splash ( you will get wet)
Priates ( you are more likely to get wet if you sit up front)

EPCOT

I do not think any rides here unless he is very sensitive to wind then maybe test track where you go out side on the lop

HS

muppets maybe never done it but I think I remember hearing that it dose do something

Toy story one seen if you hit the right thing a puff of air and I think water too

AK

it ought to be a bug ( I have never done this but I heard it dose puff air and water at you
Karl river rapids ( you will get wet)

my last post I posed a guide to disability ( no that is not what it is called) but further down in the guide it list rides and all kinds of thing like any dark places, do you get wet, what kinds of restraint it use, how long the ride is, dose it spin, lift off the ground, fast, I think this guide would be very helpful if you look at it and if you have question about a perticiler ride then just ask either us or the CM at the ride.

 

[Hoodie]

If he's sensitive to people touching him, a stroller as wheelchair tag may help. It would keep people from bumping into him in line and give him a buffer. The noise cancelling headphones may be a good idea as well - there is a lot of noise at Disney and it can be overwhelming even to kids who don't have issues at home. Some of the rides are loud too (Imagination at EPCOT has an unexpected explosion at the end. We always cover the kids' ears.) Plus random fireworks and explosions at some of the stage shows.

The best thing you can do is be prepared and flexible. Take the headphones, just in case. Try stroller as a wheelchair. If it doesn't work, you can get a DAS. There are multiple options available, but you never really know what is "the best" until you experience it. Thankfully you can go to guest services in the park at any point in your trip and have the options available. We went without anything the first few days. Found that the interactive lines were too overwhelming for him and got a DAS for the last half of our trip. Only used it on those lines that had too much going on within the lines.

Have a great trip!!