Traveling with 5 year old son with ASD/ ADHD

[Lee Matthews]

Hi everyone

Just looking for any tips and tricks really.

My husband and I adopted our son a year ago and we have a trip planned to WDW for August 2022. He will be 6 at the time.

He has suffered a lot of early life trauma and has missing chromosomes which we believe will lead to a confirmed diagnoses of ADHD/ ASD when he's a bit older.

He is very hyperactive when in over sensitive environments or if it's excessively over crowded in a small area.

We think he will be fine with the parks but wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks?

I think a lot will relate to most children like we aren't planning to keep him out in the parks for 12 hours a day, maybe half days then relaxing at the resort.

Maximising Fast Pass where we can and taking regular breaks.

This is a totally new way of seeing Disney for us so any advice would be appreciated

 

[Wedgeout]

What is really nice is they do have the Disability Access Service (DAS) pass received at Guest Services in the park to help make his experience most magical. Receive a return time instead of having to spend that time in line. Something to look into and read about.

 

[Lee Matthews]

I have heard of them but read into it because if I’m honest, I didn’t think he would be eligible or how severe the need had to be in order to be able to have one

 

[Rory607]

I don’t know specifics on the DAS pass, but I would look into it. Just from going with my “normal” kids, one of which gets over-excited very easily, my tip is to just go at his pace. I would have him pick his top thing he wants to do each day and try to accomplish it. If that gets done, then you’ve had a good day. And if he gets nervous or scared of a certain ride or character, don’t push it. I hate when parents make their kids do things at Disney they don’t want to do. It can cause so much anxiety.

I’ve done Disney with people who literally will not take a break and sit down because they want to get as many rides done as possible. That is not enjoyable to me. I like to take breaks in the parks. Sitting down with a drink and a snack helps my kids recharge. Also along those lines, I like to schedule table service meals for lunch so we get an air-conditioned break mid-day.

Good luck! I hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[unrequited23]

If the train is open by your trip (and I'm really, really hoping it's open by August 2022) it is a really nice way to escape the crowds even though it can take longer than walking to get from one side of MK to the other. A table service lunch in a smaller location might help too--The Plaza in MK or Nomad Lounge in AK--we find it refreshing to not see/hear tons of people walking around when trying to eat. If he wouldn't find the movie clips scary, Sci-Fi and be a nice zone out spot too.

Pool time and unstructured play time at resort playgrounds will help, as will trying to stick to your normal schedule. Though, you might want to bump up meal times by 1/2 hr, because it can take longer than you think to get food and in the heat you sometimes don't realize that you are tired because you are hungry.

If you feel like a stroller will help in crowded situations bring it.

 

[petrola]

Hi Lee - We have been traveling to Disney since my kids are babies (they are 12 and 7 now) and I found what works well for us is getting to the parks first thing in the morning because it seems to be a bit quieter then. Now that being said , I have not been since Covid - but I will assume that is still the case. We love the quieter early morning times, and it works well because my son also gets overly worked up when the park becomes crowded/chaotic later in the day. We also try to do a table service meal for lunch as it allows us to sit down in an air conditioned area and calmly order our meals. Since you are going in August, you may welcome the air conditioning by lunch time! Usually we head back to the hotel after lunch for some relaxing pool time. Like I said, that's been our plan for a few years now, and it's really worked out well. Enjoy your trip!

 

[olive]

I would also suggest that you read a bit about the DAS. Check out the posts on this on the Disabilities board. You can get a pass at guest services and then use the pass as you may need it. Some days you may not need it at all, but it is really good to have if you do end up needing it! At 6, a jogger stroller/special needs stroller may or may not still make sense to use for an emergency decompression space, as needed. You can get a stroller as wheelchair tag from guest services for this. It also lets you use the stroller at shows and certain other areas so he can be in his own space/less overstimulated, either in queues or at shows or in other spaces where a stroller may not be allowed typically but a wheelchair is. This was a very helpful accommodation for our son on spectrum when he was that age. That plus headphones helped with sensory needs, along with frequent breaks.

Good luck, and feel free to pm me!

 

[Brett Wyman]

He will definitely qualify for DAS based on your description. Like others have said already, please sign up for that at guests services before you enter your first park on your fist day. You wont have to signup again after that for that trip.

• What is DAS and how does it work?
  The DAS Card is designed to accommodate guests who aren’t able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities). DAS will be issued at Guest Relations main entrance locations and will offer guests a return time for attractions based on the current wait time. As soon as the Guest finishes one attraction, they can receive a return time for another. This service can be used in addition to Disney’s FASTPASS Service and Disney FastPass+ service.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/disney-parks-disability-access-service-card-fact-sheet/

 

[sparkle78]

When you are waiting lines, have a few things to do. Small sticker puzzles, maze books, word search can be found at your local teacher’s store. Or even wiki sticks, they are bendable and can be made into all kinds of shapes. Also , the grab an ice cream or even just water and sit in a quieter spot can be a life saver some time. We took an umbrella stroller for my sons till they were 8 years old. We only used it to get into the park in the morning , parked most of the day , and then after dinner. In the evening, when they were getting tired it gave them a spot to get away from the crowd noise

 

[Rory607]

I think someone else mentioned this, but you might consider taking noise-canceling headphones if he is sensitive to noise. My youngest hates the sound of fireworks, so we always keep a pair in the backpack.

 

[GamGam]

Riding in a covered stroller can give the illusion of a bit of calm within the crowds. Using the return times with DAS really helps.

 

[Lee Matthews]

I assume the Strollers to rent from Disney are pretty expensive? They don’t do anything that goes with also having the DAS?

our boy will walk but I do fear that after a few hours, he will start to struggle and may need a stroller of some sort

 

[olive]

We have never gotten strollers from Disney directly, but we rented from Kingdom Strollers. They delivered to the hotel and then picked up the stroller from the hotel, too. We have gotten a city mini or a BOB from them, and it worked fine even when our son was a little older (and a city mini double - that was something to wheel around!). They have special needs strollers, as well. Check the size and weight limits! Pricing is much more reasonable from off site companies than Disney, and then you don't have to drop the strollers at the gates each day or risk them running out. We liked having the stroller outside the parks, too.

The DAS can include a tag/pass for the stroller that lets you use the stroller as a wheelchair, but it won't cover the cost of a Disney stroller.

 

[Lee Matthews]

Many thanks for all the replies

I’ve sent Disney an email using the disability email address to ask whether they think my son would qualify for a DAS.

Thought that if I was to get confirmation now if he’s entitled that is may be less of a ‘fight’ for one once we checkin. If he isn’t then at least I know now

 

[HopperFan]

Hi everyone

Just looking for any tips and tricks really.

My husband and I adopted our son a year ago and we have a trip planned to WDW for August 2022. He will be 6 at the time.

He has suffered a lot of early life trauma and has missing chromosomes which we believe will lead to a confirmed diagnoses of ADHD/ ASD when he's a bit older.

He is very hyperactive when in over sensitive environments or if it's excessively over crowded in a small area.

We think he will be fine with the parks but wondered if anyone had any tips or tricks?

I think a lot will relate to most children like we aren't planning to keep him out in the parks for 12 hours a day, maybe half days then relaxing at the resort.

Maximising Fast Pass where we can and taking regular breaks.

This is a totally new way of seeing Disney for us so any advice would be appreciated

37 years of traveling to WDW with all kinds of issues some solutions came naturally, some fell upon. You at least have a year to "practice" and he could shift gears in his needs by then.

Found out the hard way that sounds, particularly human sound, was painful. So it makes sense just seeing or anticipating crowds caused anxiety. We starting using clear silicone moldable ear plugs. You don't see them, and they didn't stick out. In tough times we added an iPod with headphones with Disney music. These were things we practiced.

Another great way to shut out what was around him was a big safari floppy hat (we made it fun with Disney pin or patches) which helped with sunburn AND Disney is the only place he wears sunglasses. He normally wouldn't like them but there he embraces them because I think it helps buffer him. He also likes the small fan you hang around your neck and it blows up. It helps keep him cool and I think the vibrating is comforting. We used to use the small cheap hand hold fans you can clip on your bag, I still use one.

Learned hard way STAY ON your normal eating schedule. We did our three meals a day. One thing we found is a Table Service at lunch just outside peak gave us a time to recharge, get cooled off, eat well, he gets refills on drinks and no jostling that comes at quick serve. It has made all the difference in him able to keep going and enjoying his day. We spent may afternoons resting at hotel but in the room because in the afternoons in hot weather the pools were packed. That was as stressful as being in the parks.

If you think the bubble of a stroller can help him at times don't hesitate to bring. We would just bring a light umbrella one but it was his space. If you think it helps Guest Services can give you a red tag that the stroller is used as a wheelchair then you can bring in lines. For some longer lines it is great to buffer space for him. In lines let him stand between you and space out, gives him a back and forth area he can move around in. Umbrellas ones are much easier to bring on plane if flying.

Our backpack: Headphones, Ear Plugs, Bottle of Water, Small candies or snack that he likes that might refocus, room for his hat and sunglasses, fans, sun lotion, ponchos.

Many thanks for all the replies

I’ve sent Disney an email using the disability email address to ask whether they think my son would qualify for a DAS.

Thought that if I was to get confirmation now if he’s entitled that is may be less of a ‘fight’ for one once we checkin. If he isn’t then at least I know now

Only on the ground CM in Guest Services can decide about DAS so don't take anything they reply with as golden. They just can't commit to something that someone else decides. While the DAS could be very helpful, it won't change the length of time you wait, impacting your time in the parks and does create some extra walking. My son does get one but we use is maybe once or twice a day ... FP+ was actually more help so hoping they bring that back. The best plan is to go in with all your tricks in the book ready to go in any situation because DAS, if you get one, only helps for part of your trip. It doesn't help at hotels, on transportation, water parks etc.

Think about how he will do on transportation, in food courts or would table service be better, handling characters and waiting his turn, loud noises like fireworks (we had years we had to skip), overstimulation in the stores (we avoided for years). You can think about things that bother him at home and how it might play out similar in parks. It really helped us to learn what to avoid. I also suggest ID bracelet or shoe tags just in case you get separated.

Enjoy all your planning!

 

[Lee Matthews]

Thank you for your in-depth reply. Everything helps me greatly. The clear moulded earbuds sounds like an interesting idea.
I am certainly going to be looking into this

 

[HopperFan]

Thank you for your in-depth reply. Everything helps me greatly. The clear moulded earbuds sounds like an interesting idea.
I am certainly going to be looking into this

They make children's but I think all colors if that is okay. They come in nice plastic case so I just keep a case in backpack. My DS has smaller ears so we pull out one and then split it in half. Silicone putty so we roll it then put in ear and quickly press. It molds to fit and won't fall out. Work better and more comfortable than the foam ones.

https://www.macksearplugs.com/product/pillow-soft-silicone-earplugs/
Amazon sells for a good price but they are also in major drugstores. Cheap enough to buy a pack and practice.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

They make children's but I think all colors if that is okay. They come in nice plastic case so I just keep a case in backpack. My DS has smaller ears so we pull out one and then split it in half. Silicone putty so we roll it then put in ear and quickly press. It molds to fit and won't fall out. Work better and more comfortable than the foam ones.

https://www.macksearplugs.com/product/pillow-soft-silicone-earplugs/
Amazon sells for a good price but they are also in major drugstores. Cheap enough to buy a pack and practice.

View attachment 569875

if going with the putty ones make sure you have fresh ones as they mold easier. I would not buy too far ahead for a trip

 

[lanejudy]

I assume the Strollers to rent from Disney are pretty expensive? They don’t do anything that goes with also having the DAS?

our boy will walk but I do fear that after a few hours, he will start to struggle and may need a stroller of some sort

The in-park stroller rentals are hard plastic (see below) and there is nothing particularly helpful with these strollers and DAS; in fact, with an in-park rental you would need to stop at Guest Relations each day to get a new stroller-as-wheelchair tag, which otherwise would be given for length-of-stay. Also since your concern is that he may struggle later in the day, these stroller cannot leave the park so he would need to navigate getting to transportation and back to your resort without the stroller. I suggest a third-party rental. It is likely less expensive and more comfortable, plus he (you) will have it for the latter part of the day. Earlier in the day, it can carry your bags or sweatshirts or such -- no requirement to use it all day.

Many thanks for all the replies

I’ve sent Disney an email using the disability email address to ask whether they think my son would qualify for a DAS.

Thought that if I was to get confirmation now if he’s entitled that is may be less of a ‘fight’ for one once we checkin. If he isn’t then at least I know now

Disability services cannot give you any guarantee of a DAS. Only CMs at Guest Relations at one of the 4 major theme parks can make that determination and issue it. I do suggest you think through how waiting in a standard queue environment works for him and jot down some notes to help you with the DAS request. Diagnosis is not important and not necessary, you want to explain his needs.

I encourage you to check out the disABILITIES Forum. There are a lot of families with similar issues who can share suggestions. We also have an FAQ thread and information about DAS as sticky posts.

 

[herdtoDisney]

Op, my dd is also 6 and is dx ASD and provisionally ADHD. I'll list some things I am thinking about in regards to our trip next month.
I wanted to mention the headphones/earplugs...dd has to use the over ear headphones, she will not tolerate plugs IN her ears. She's very sensory defensive-not sure how your ds is but I'd try both out ahead of the trip to see what works best for him.

I also got SafetyTats to use-it's a temporary sticker tattoo that you write your cell phone number on in case you get separated. While dd does know her vital info, if she was scared and overwhelmed she would likely not be able to verbalize it.

I agree with PPs about getting the stroller, or bringing one. We go next month and I'm still on the fence about park stroller vs rental. I guess I don't want to lug it on Disney transportation so I am leaning towards a park stroller. Anyways, dd uses a stroller as a quiet space, like her own bubble, it's calming for her. She actually walks well, it's just that when she gets sensory overloaded she needs it.

I have gotten great info from the disABILITIES board!