too big for a stroller...

[scojos]

ds has hfasd and last year we managed to squeeze him into his litlle sisters stroller when he was feeling "jumpy". this aug however he will be too big to have this spacer to get him away from strangers, and i was wondering if others had rented mobility devices as a way of providing their child with space.
He is not physically disabled (although he does have severe asthma that can be aggrivated by the heat/humididy) and i wouldnt want to abuse the systems in place at wdw in anyway...
any advice would be very gratefully received, the problem with him is soemtimes we can see it coming and can distract him with snacks toys etc, but other times he will literally just freak.
we have got away lightly by doing r/d - pool- rest- fireworks and not hanging around in the afternoon in the crowds and heat, and this will be our plan this year too, however last trip was 2008 during TS fay, and he onlys remembers this, and is unwilling to accept that he needs to rest duign the afternoon due to the heat.
any ideas, coping mechanisms would be v gratefully received, and yes, we get a gac before anyone suggests it
thanks
tracy

 

[SueM in MN]

I would suggest looking at the special needs strollers listed in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
While they can be used for mobility, most people who post on this board are using them more as a 'safe haven' or way to decrease stimulation that would otherwise be too overwhelming for their child.

Most of the regular lines are wheelchair accessible, so there is not a lot of 'special treatment' that you have to worry about getting. Besides, although not mobility, the needs you mention are just as real as real as mobility and using a stroller is a good accommodation for that type of needs.

You may also want to look into tour planning services like Tour Guide Mike or Ridemax. People who have used both GACs and one of those have posted thst that the services were actually much more helpful, since they help you avoid busy places in the parks, not just in line. People have posted a lot that their wait using one of thos services was seldom over 10 minutes for anything and they were able to have an easier time without even bedding to use the GAC.

 

[jmartinez1895]

Most of the stroller rental locations and the medical rentals have special needs stollers that will hold larger children ( some up to 150 lbs). I would think the stroller would be more cofortable that a wheel chair for a child. Our son has asthma and we found that using his stroller as a wheel chiar helped him out a lot.

 

[KPeveler]

I also like the idea of the special needs stroller - it will look like a stroller rather than a wc (small back wheels) but you will be allowed to bring it in line (may need a GAC). That may work best for him.

 

[curemyreed]

We rented the special needs stroller from Orlando Stroller Rental and it suited DD with ASD perfectly. It will accommodate kids up to 100 lbs. and quite tall as well. Please go to the Sticky and click on the info. (Also, if you need more info the owner of the company is very helpful & will speak with you via phone or email.) It is a jogger-type stroller. When DD needed to she reached up and pulled the hood over top of her and this provided that "buffer" so many ASD kids need. I don't know how tall or heavy your son is, but I would highly recommend renting this stroller. BTW, in the past we had rented a double stroller from Disney while in the parks and she had way outgrown these, height-wise; but the special needs stroller was a great size.
HTH. I see you are from the UK. Do email the owner of Orlando Stroller Rentals if you are interested. Also, when we rented, which was December 2008, she only had one of these strollers for rent, so unless she has added more to her inventory I would say reserve the stroller ASAP in order to ensure availability.