WDW with a 3 y.o. with sensory processing disorder About This Page:

[Marni98]

Our family is going to WDW in 2 weeks--me, DH, 3-year old DS, 16-month old DD, and my parents. We're staying at the Art of Animation in a Cars-themed room, since DS loves that movie.

DS has mild sensory processing disorder and gross and fine motor delays. His SPD is characterized by auditory, visual and vestibular hypersensitivity and tactile and proprioceptive hyposensitivity. However, he's really come a long way since being in therapy. I don't see too much with the vestibular hypersensitivity/gravitational insecurity anymore, and his tactile system is evening out. In regards to auditory/visual systems, he gets distracted very easily in busy environments, looks like he's not paying attention, is impulsive and often hyper focuses on details. He used to have some irrational fears and still does to some extent, but is much better able to not "freak out" about them if he is scared of something and will talk about it instead. He has definite motor planning issues and also difficulty with transitions in that he often just seems to "ignore" what we're asking him to do.

So, given all that, what are some tips the "experts" can give me? I haven't been to WDW in 19 years, and DH has never been!

[Happymommy]

This sounds like us our first trip, our oldest was 3, and it was my first trip in 13 years, and my husband's first ever lol. My oldest (12 years old) has asperger's with gross motor delays , sensory integration disorder and ADD (he was diagnosed at 3yo). My youngest (9 years old) has autism with fine motor delay, speech delay and ADHD. We took our first trip when my oldest was 3 (just about to turn 4), and my youngest was 16 months. We went back 9months later---so I'll start with this---it must not have been that bad lol. It would have been nice to have parents with us---it was just us, so a little tough at times. But, I will say bring alot of patience and flexibility. Our first and second trip--- my oldest would not ride anything indoors, and my 2nd and 3rd trip-- my youngest would not ride anything fast moving (like the carousel lol). We've never had a problem with fireworks (which I don't understand because they both have problems in loud environments)--- but your child may be sensitive. My kids when really young had a really hard time at Whispering Canyon Cafe in Wilderness Lodge (very loud)---I will say by the time they were 7yo and 5yo loved it. But the first time there my oldest (he was 3), put his hands over his ears and screamed get me out of here. My boys still to this day hate dinosaur (too loud), and Tough to Be a Bug (my oldest is ok with it, but my youngest refuses to go in hates the feeling of bugs on him, hates how loud it is)-- but they now ride everything else (except Rock N Roller Coaster-- my oldest rode it once on his "face my fears trip", (he actually gave the trip a theme lol--but won't do it again---they don't like the upside down sensation)---but those first few trips we got on 4 or 5 rides at most. So at least with parents there-- you guys can switch off with the kids and ride rides. Use the Child Swap---go to the cast member at the line and ask for child swap ticket, and it's like a fast pass for the other couple in your part. My kids fave was always World Showcase and animal kingdom. I did have really comfortable double stroller, back then (mcclaren side by side) that extended fully so they could nap or go to sleep if they were tired. I don't do the dining plan so if we need to change our plans, and don't make an ADR, we don't lose that credit. We always took breaks in the afternoon and went back to the room and relaxed, sometimes we swam. We just took it slow and went with the flow. Any specific questions, send me a private message. Each trip got a bit easier. It's been 8 years since our first trip with the kids, and they have now been there 9 times. They love it. My youngest says he's going to whatever college is closest to Disney World so he can work there-- the Disney fever is in his blood lol. Our biggest problem that we still have is food. They are both very picky eaters and have issues with textures etc. I do alot of buffets because they can usually find something there. I also am careful to go through the menus at allearsnet.com, to make sure they will have something they like ---although many restaurants have been accomodating---making grilled cheese when not on the menu and things like that. I don't know if your child has issues with food.

[Paige4]

I agree with Happymommy, you need to have lots of patience and flexibility. Our DS8 had SPD/SID and has also come along way since begining therapy. Our first trip our youngest was 5 and we had lots of meltdowns about rides and waiting in lines. We did bring his earphones "just in case" things got too loud for him. He only needed them a few times Character interaction was a little tricky at first, but after the first couple days he was fine and we filled his autograph book. I would suggest a character meal early on in your trip for your DS to get up close and interact if he chooses so you are not waiting in a long line to see them. We are early risers so we would hit the parks at rope drop or shortly after then head back to our room for a rest when the parks got more crowded (usually around 1pm) We let DS reset and rest then he was fresh for an early dinner and more Disney fun! I did bring an Ipod for my son to play on to distract from the crowds, he also rode in a stroller during that trip and he pulled the top of it down anytine he needed to shut the world out. We brought lots of snacks (another distraction for him) he loved the little bags of grapes they served with the kid's meals. Good luck!

[Marni98]

Thanks for all the advice! I think he will really enjoy it, and hopefully he doesn't just want to ride and talk about trains and Cars. He saw a picture from when my parents went with my brothers and their families (older kids), and the first thing he noticed was the train in the background! Our parents were very nice to do Disney trips with both us and my brothers' families as gifts. DD shows milder signs of SPD too, but it doesn't seem hers is as "bad." That's good advice about going back to the resort to rest. I was thinking we'd do that but toyed with the idea of seeing if they'd nap in their strollers. However, I don't have kids who easily fall asleep anywhere, so I don't even know if they'd do that.

[mfirst]

You may want to really consider taking a mid-day break from the parks - even if the kids don't nap, it will help to get them out of the noise and stimulation for a bit. My youngest (3) has been formally diagnosed with a developmental delay and we're on the road to more testing (suspected ASD). He really needed the downtime from the stimulation of the parks. Often a bus or monorail ride was enough to help him calm down. He also did really well in his stroller - when things got to be "too much" he could pull the shield down in front of him to tune things out for a bit.

In Cullen's case - we're still learning what his triggers are, but we did discover fireworks (which were fine on our previous visit) were a huge No-No. Crowds, like those at park closing time, were also very tough for him to handle.

Be prepared for the repetition requests - even my "typically" developing kiddos requested repeated rides when they really liked something. I think we rode Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger spin at least 6 times.

We also found success in trying to keep similar routines - we packed his preferred breakfast foods and favorite plate and cup, made sure he ate breakfast and lunch about the same time as his home schedule and tried to keep bed time close to normal. Yes, we missed out on a lot of fun nighttime activities, but it also kept our little guy happier and thus our family functioned happier.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Welcome to our group, Hope you get lots of good info here..
Staying "On Property" is always a good thing, My best advice as a
person without kids is take your time, and know you will not see it all.
Remember you can take breaks back at your room, Something I do when I have had too much for the day. I "recharge" then I go back out again fresh..

[Happymommy]

Originally Posted by Marni98

. I was thinking we'd do that but toyed with the idea of seeing if they'd nap in their strollers. However, I don't have kids who easily fall asleep anywhere, so I don't even know if they'd do that.

I have found, for us, it depends on the time of year. My kids both did really nap in that Macclaren stroller. So if we went in january--- we could take it slow in the morning, not rush have breakfast, and they could definitely handle the entire day out. The parks (except Epcot) all closed fairly early anyway. In the hot months, we needed (we still need --- even the adults) that mid-day break. We do the table service restaurants at lunch time, and the counter service at dinner (the counter service places don't seem as crowded at dinner as they are at lunch). Also when we do that, we don't have to rush back out of the pool or out of the hotel to try and make our dinner reservation. We're always in a park at lunch time, but dinner time some times we get lazy at the hotel, and don't make it out of the pool as early as we'd hoped. My kids also spent alot of time at the resort. They always like the movie by the pool, the campfires and smores (many of the dvc resorts do this)--- things like that. Downtown disney was always a tough spot for us. We always had meltdowns there--- not anymore, but when they were younger. So we started skipping that for a few years.

[yalibrarian]

We go every year with our son, now an adult, who has autism. Along with patience, recognize and accept that you will not likely be able to see as much as you want, nor follow a set plan. With all the enticing distractions, be prepared to follow the lead of your child. Is he fussy? Does he need a snack break, or a nap back at the resort (our son never wanted to leave the park until he finished his required attractions? Does he prefer to hang out on the bridge watching the ducks to going on another ride? Get some popcorn, take a nice, deep breath, and enjoy the ducks, the music, the weather.

Children, especially toddlers, are so changeable, so don't be surprised if he was excited about something before you left, and then balks at seeing that particular character or ride. Don't force things; take advantage of parent swap at rides so you can enjoy yourself without your kid having a meltdown.

Our son now uses his iPod to help cut out some of the chaos. You can buy headphones that block noise, or use shooters' ear muffs (WalMart, KMart or sporting goods stores). Try to keep to a fairly usual bed and meal time schedule, as routines can be soothing for those who get jangled by all the noise and sights.

Carry small snacks and minor amusements (paper and pencil work for us) with you to fend off the grumpies while standing in lines. If you child has a comfort item, consider ways to attach it so it won't be lost (disaster!). A bottle holder around the neck of a toy can keep it at hand either in strollers or when walking around the parks.

It's a little late to order the DVD, but look on Disney's site (and here on PassPorter) for photos you can use to prepare your little guys for what they will be seeing. YouTube is also a rich trove of WDW films.

[Marni98]

Thanks again for all the tips. I think we will take a break early afternoon back at the resort.