Where are the places in parks to get away from it all for a few minutes?

[PaulaSue]

My youngest (almost 5) is so not into being around people most of the time. Loud Noises is a big problem too. It usually takes her most of the day at Hersheypark to "relax" and ride a few little kiddy rides.

The same for her at any party. (Preschool is better this year but still hard sometimes and I'm a sub there. I was preggo with her when we started going so she knows all the teachers like family.)

Not to mention she is not into the characters at least not being close to them, dare not talk to her. (She has a mean evil eye. )

Less people is better for her so after a bad fit last weekend I am getting worried that it is not getting better as she is getting older. Last time we went to Disney she was under 3 and easy to put in the stroller and go for a walk and she still napped often.

So I am trying to plan ahead of places we can go and hang out while the rest of the group rides, etc. TIA My parents can't handle the fits (they are going too) and I swear it makes her more upset when they (and others) start to say things. I just try to go with the flow hoping she will "outgrow" this stage and I will not NOT take her with us. We are a family and a package deal!

 

[Schmeck]

Will she still ride in a stroller? How about getting a GAC to allow her to stay in the stroller in lines? That might give her enough space to feel for secure.

How about a break in the baby care or first aid centers?

 

[scojos]

i asked this question recently its down the board abit...
dont know how to post links!!!
tracy

 

[Scutapipig]

Two of the places we found that helped our son (and me!) were:

Aunt Polly's in the Magic Kingdom. We bought lemonades and sat in the seating area overlooking the water. It's shaded, and while the kids ran the island with my husband, I sat for an hour and just enjoyed the calmness.

In Epcot, we found a bench just outside of the Rose and Crown in the shade and people watched for a bit. It was nice there since that was also the spot where the comedy group performed from time to time.

 

[PaulaSue]

She might still ride a stoller by then but I am trying to wean her off of it. She will be 5 1/2 by then and is all legs. (Dh is tall) I thought about renting one for the night we do the halloween party but I will hav eto rethink that once we are there. The doctor says not to baby her too much unless she complains about her back. (She has mild scholois, sorry it is spelled wrong.)

 

[ecki]

The doctor says not to baby her too much unless she complains about her back. (She has mild scholois, sorry it is spelled wrong.)

I'm not sure what your doctor was referring to when he/she says not to "baby" her too much. If a child has a sensory processing disorder or autism, I don't consider it "babying" to do whatever is necessary to help her cope -- and that includes using a stroller.

We're renting a Maclaren Major Special Needs stroller offsite. We use one at home and love it! It holds up to 140 lbs, so it should work for your daughter. I'm not sure if they rent them with the sunshade, though. I was thinking with a sunshade and light blanket that might be enough to block out some of the sensory overload.

BTW, she may very well outgrow these sensitivities. When my older daughter was three couldn't even go into WalMart because the buzzing of the fluorescent lights really bothered her. She had so many screaming meltdowns DH wouldn't even be seen in public with her. He'd start screaming at her so she'd start screaming more....well, you know how that goes! But now she's six and that stuff doesn't bother her anymore. (and DH doesn't even mind taking her out by himself!)

 

[stenickar]

My youngest (almost 5) is so not into being around people most of the time. Loud Noises is a big problem too. It usually takes her most of the day at Hersheypark to "relax" and ride a few little kiddy rides.

I would get headphones for her, the kind they sell in the sporting goods department for when you shoot guns. They work well to keep down the background noise but you can still hear people talking to you. Have you thought about doing social stories for her? Some folks have also gone to utube to watch videos of the rides to help kids get used to the different rides. It sounds like you may need a GAC. If you want more information feel free to PM about what you may need to ask for with the GAC. HTH

 

[LuvsTinker]

My 8 yo, PDD-NOS, was in a stroller at 5 1/2 in WDW - and he's all legs. It really depends on the child. It is an extremely big place for such a little person to cope all day.

For down time, in Epcot, United Kingdom there is a maze of bushes in an out of the way court yard. My son loves it! Loves to run around the maze and it's very quiet back there.

 

[PaulaSue]

I'm not sure what your doctor was referring to when he/she says not to "baby" her too much. If a child has a sensory processing disorder or autism, I don't consider it "babying" to do whatever is necessary to help her cope -- and that includes using a stroller

I'm talking about her Ortho doctor and her back. I slinged my girls when they were babies and tend to carry or now stroller her too much. He said walking is good for her and will not "hurt" her back but help her muscles.