When kids are too big for stroller

[Emagine]

I suspect I will encounter this next year and have been trying to figure it out. I have a 7 & 4 year old both are Autistic, sensory and the oldest has major anxiety issues along with tires very easily to meltdown/cranky but not sleepy. It just makes it a heck of a lot easier to do the stroller thing in addition to his autism.

I find he is worse in the plastic buckets and also his legs are too long. He says they hurt him etc. Has always complained of hard surfaces. We have used Orlando Stroller Rentals for our last several trips and always do a double.

So when he finally outgrows it (legs wise first before weight I am sure) what would be my next step. Benches and rest do not work. That is a short term fix for him. I would need something that he can crawl into and roll with so to speak when need too.

Those of you who need the wheels as an option but not a wheelchair and have outgrown the strollers what do you do?

TIA

 

[brergnat]

Maclaren makes a special needs stroller that is meant to support up to 150 lbs, I think. It's for older kids, exactly like yours. They are VERY expensive (like $400-500), but if you need it, you need it.

You can Google it: Maclaren Major

 

[jmartinez1895]

As PP said Maclaren make a stroller for larger kids. I think it is designed to fit there longer legs as well as holding more weight. I know this will not help you at home, but there are a few rental companies that have them so you can rent one for your Disney trips.

 

[Emagine]

Does anyone know of a company that rents near or for Disney? I wish OSRentals had this! I did not see it there and this sounds like exactly what I need!

TY so much!

 

[peemagg]

Just do a search for special needs strollers. I believe that Orlando Strollers does rent special need strollers.

 

[SueM in MN]

Post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has some places listed that rent special needs strollers in Orlando. There is a link in my signature to that thread and when you get to post #2, just scroll on down past the wheelchair and ECV information; it's toward the end of the post.

The special needs strollers, such as Maclaren Major are designed for large children or small adults. The weight capacity is larger and they are made to fit taller people.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have visited Florida many times with our son, who whilst being mobile cannot walk long distances. He is autistic and non verbal.

We used a MacLaren Major for several years until now finally needing a wheelchair, although it is a child's one.
For his comfort it was the only possibility.

To be honest whilst not trying to change the subject, we find the CMs more attentive to our needs now he is in a wheelchair, and the fact is you could not tell he was disabled in an over large stroller.

 

[SueM in MN]

To be honest whilst not trying to change the subject, we find the CMs more attentive to our needs now he is in a wheelchair, and the fact is you could not tell he was disabled in an over large stroller.

I do think there is truth in that.

As special needs strollers have become more mainstream in appearance and regular strollers are being made larger and larger, it becomes more and more difficult to tell which is which.

When my kids were little, most children over 3 children without special needs did not have their own strollers because the strollers were not made to hold children larger than that. My youngest DD got a wheelchair when she was not quite 3 because she was getting too large for her regular stroller.

 

[KPeveler]

You can rent special needs strollers in Orlando, and I think some of them have a 5 point harness, which is good for both restraint and a "comfort" for some kids... If you think you will be using this at home as well, you may want to speak to your child's dr about getting a special needs stroller or wheelchair for home. This would allow you to have it at home and use it for things like airports on the way to WDW!

 

[Schmeck]

To be honest whilst not trying to change the subject, we find the CMs more attentive to our needs now he is in a wheelchair, and the fact is you could not tell he was disabled in an over large stroller.

Your son's need for accommodation should be met by a GAC, not by how attentive a CM is. For example, if you use a stroller as a wheelchair, you'd have the tag for that so the CM could see it when you got up to the CM. I'm not seeing how 'attentive' a CM is has anything to do with accommodations?

 

[koolaidmoms]

DS (now 7) has had a medical stroller for each of our past 4 trips. It has totally changed our trips for the better.

He is no small bubble. He is 86 lbs.and 49" tall.

It gives him his space to go to when he is getting overwhelmed and he can pull the canopy down over him if he wants to hide.

Like a PP said we usually get the "Please park your stroller." But once we show them the GAC and tag on the stroller we are fine. No one (including DS) wants to have him in line flailing himself against people or laying on the floor screaming because everyone is too close to him.

Hope this helps some.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Your son's need for accommodation should be met by a GAC, not by how attentive a CM is. For example, if you use a stroller as a wheelchair, you'd have the tag for that so the CM could see it when you got up to the CM. I'm not seeing how 'attentive' a CM is has anything to do with accommodations?

Maybe, but based upon our experiences of using both we have noticed a difference in awareness.
CM's even commented to us that they felt our son was too big for a stroller, what it has to do with them I don't know! And there was a disabled 'tag' , as you put it, on the stroller.

There is definitely a difference in my opinion, a wheelchair stands out as someone who has special requirements, a stroller doesn't always have that effect.

 

[C&G'sMama]

DS (now 7) has had a medical stroller for each of our past 4 trips. It has totally changed our trips for the better.

He is no small bubble. He is 86 lbs.and 49" tall.

It gives him his space to go to when he is getting overwhelmed and he can pull the canopy down over him if he wants to hide.

Like a PP said we usually get the "Please park your stroller." But once we show them the GAC and tag on the stroller we are fine. No one (including DS) wants to have him in line flailing himself against people or laying on the floor screaming because everyone is too close to him.

Hope this helps some.

I'll add (as the other 1/2 of koolaidmoms) that we rented this stroller from OSR on 2 different trips and were very pleased with the service.

 

[Schmeck]

OK, now I understand - it's how you want to be treated, not being questioned, I guess, not anything about having accommodations met. Of course, using a wheelchair, you don't even need a GAC, unless there are also hidden disabilities that require a GAC for accommodations.

But don't you still have to go up to the CM at the beginning of the queue to get directions as to the procedure being used at that time for guests in wheelchairs? It changes during the day, depending on crowds, how many other guests with disabilities are already in the queue and waiting areas, etc.

 

[PatMcDuck]

AFTER the McClaren years, we had to go bigger....... Sean is now 20. For a few years, we did use a companion chair that I purchased, or used a Disney wheelchair. edited to say Sean has Down, Syndrome, Autism, low stamina, balance issues, and wanders off)

Then I got Sean a Convaid Scout adult size stroller. (On Ebay, what a great find! never used) I prefer it over a wheelchair for a few reasons. We do NOT want Sean self propelling anywhere. He would hit people, and get away from us. 2nd, it seats him back at an angle like a stroller. In a wheelchair, Sean tends to hunch forward, it makes me crazy. He has scoliosis maybe that is why.

It is heavy, and not that portable, but he is more comfortable in it, so I deal with it.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

OK, now I understand - it's how you want to be treated, not being questioned, I guess, not anything about having accommodations met. Of course, using a wheelchair, you don't even need a GAC, unless there are also hidden disabilities that require a GAC for accommodations.

But don't you still have to go up to the CM at the beginning of the queue to get directions as to the procedure being used at that time for guests in wheelchairs? It changes during the day, depending on crowds, how many other guests with disabilities are already in the queue and waiting areas, etc.

Yes we do have to consult the CM , but I guess it depends on the ride, as you know the procedure can vary depending on the attraction. Also to be honest we do try where possible to wait in line with everyone else, it encourages Joshua to be more patient. So in that respect, as he can get out of the wheelchair and walk it is possible the CM may not even see his stroller/wheelchair.
He can walk but just cannot walk for any length of time or long distances.

My comment about the awareness actually came about on our first morning at Magic Kingdom in 2006, the last time we used a stroller. Joshua was asleep having been up quite early in the morning, and the CM commented on why he was was so tired so early in the morning, and also that he appeared to be too big for the stroller. I cannot put in here what I said in response to the second question, but I do not think the CM would have said anything had he been in a wheelchair. As to him he would appear 'disabled', more so than in the stroller.
'Autism Awareness' kind of sums it up I suppose.

 

[stitch34]

Went through this recently trying to figure out what was best for my 7 year old ever-growing fast son with autism.
Ended up contacting insurance, and through a durable medical equipment supplier (they gave me like 20 places to try) finally there was one that dealt with special needs strollers. We got the convaid for him and are really happy with it.
but, we had a trip to WDW that was happening before we got everything straightened out with insurance, so ended up on ebay getting the Maclaren major. We used that in November on our trip - and the Convaid on our March trip.
Both were great. The maclaren goes up to I believe 120 pounds. Our convaid, hmm, not sure, but eventually he will need the next size up I'm sure.

The Maclaren is super light weight we thought, his sisters found it comfy (his sisters take turns in it so he gets a chance to stretch his legs and walk a little, and they get a break in the stroller - and son is nonverbal, so can't give opinion!) Was easy to carry onto the Disney buses, folded up so nicely. Foot rest is removable, so kinda a pain to take it on and off to fold it, but not terrible, and then one more item to worry about forgetting on the bus, the footrest.

The Convaid last trip used. It is heavier to lift, so that was really a pain for us. BUT... I do have to say, everywhere we went people clearly knew my son had needs by the sight of the Convaid, more so than they did with the Maclaren. It really did make things a lot easier. There was no having to explain that it was a special needs stroller, it was obvious. The Convaid was super quick to open up and fold down, too.

Can't say really which I prefer - love them both! have been savign the Convaid for our next trip, and the Maclaren have used when need it when we go out locally. Keep meaning to ebay it now that I have the Convaid, but not sure if ready to part with it just yet!

My son mainly needs it for restraint - he's quite the runner, whether it's running to try to steal drinks or food from people nearby, or just take off into a street, or jump into a pool, he needs the restraint. I am very thankful that insurance came through with the Convaid.

I had looked into renting from Orlando Stroller Rentals.... but didn't care for the models they offered and had wished they offered the Maclaren Major.
good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Beccabunny]

When we needed a special needs stroller for our daughter, we contacted the PT department at our local children's hospital. They measured my daughter to get the right size stroller and had a representative from a durable medical equipment company there with a couple of different strollers for us to try. They placed the order and handled all of the paperwork for insurance. The process took several months, but other than a minor battle with our secondary insurance it was fairly painless.