Sensory Processing Disorder

[DrummerAlly]

Although I'm probably a bit late posting our experience to help you, it may help the next family that stumbles upon this post.

Our youngest is also hypotonic among a few other things. She is in PT, OT and did 4 months of speech.

We took her at 21 months and she really freaked out on half the rides. We didn't realize before we went that she also had sensory problems.

However, we're going again soon. We split up and take her 3-year old sister on rides while she runs around outside.

I worry more about her hypotonia and drop foot. With hypotonia, she gets slung around a lot more. She struggles to walk without falling; long lines can be treacherous! Splash pads are an accident waiting to happen. Although we have not gotten genetic testing, she appears to have an overgrowth syndrome. We had to avoid the temptation to take her on rides that she was technically tall enough for because she wasn't strong enough for them.

Rides I won't take her on again include noisy, dark, rides that sling you around. No Pirates of the Caribbean, little mermaid, finding nemo, buzz light year, toy story, Winnie the Pooh, haunted mansion, fireworks (even from the wilderness lodge)

Rides she enjoyed include dumbo, Aladdin, train, petting zoo, carousel, baby center, most everything at Animal Kingdom except the dark shows. Characters were hit and miss.

Legoland is spectacular for this age group and this set of special needs. It's only an hour drive from DW. you park strollers right by a Lego play area. The kids play with Legos while parents wait in line. Legos are good for OT/fine motor. The rides are slower and surrounded by Lego duplo animals, which we use to learn new sounds (you will learn animals sounds are pushed heavily in speech therapy). Plus they have toddler size playgrounds both inside and outside.

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And a huge thanks to you for posting this! I think my SPD girl is probably a little older than yours. She's 3 now and everything you commented on here is very similar to what we deal with. We also haven't had genetic testing yet, but Boston Children's suspects that it may be the cause. Lego land sounds great but yikes, legos would be very frustrating for my little one! She struggles too much with her fine motor skills to play with the duplo legos without rolling in tears after a few minutes.

 

[Mamaof2QTs]

And a huge thanks to you for posting this! I think my SPD girl is probably a little older than yours. She's 3 now and everything you commented on here is very similar to what we deal with. We also haven't had genetic testing yet, but Boston Children's suspects that it may be the cause. Lego land sounds great but yikes, legos would be very frustrating for my little one! She struggles too much with her fine motor skills to play with the duplo legos without rolling in tears after a few minutes.

They have Legos as big as bricks at Legoland. It's so much quieter there than DW. Totally worth a try when you're ready.

P.S. we got her genetic test back. The CMA came back normal.

 

[aprilc]

I might be a little late posting to this thread. My 19 year old son has autism. I have found that foam ear plugs help him quite a bit. He seems so much happier when he has them on in loud environments. Of course when I need him to pay attention to me I have to pull one out We are headed to WDW in April 2016 and I am hoping this helps him.

 

[DrummerAlly]

Has anyone with children with ASD or SPD (or in my case, both) successfully managed any character meals? Any tips?

My daughter would LOVE a character meal or two but definitely won't want any of the characters to come too close and I'm not sure how she'll do with the noise and crowd level. My hope is that the characters and cast members have enough training to recognize when a child needs plenty of space.

 

[aprilc]

Has anyone with children with ASD or SPD (or in my case, both) successfully managed any character meals? Any tips?

My daughter would LOVE a character meal or two but definitely won't want any of the characters to come too close and I'm not sure how she'll do with the noise and crowd level. My hope is that the characters and cast members have enough training to recognize when a child needs plenty of space.

Hi I took my son (severe autism) to WDW for the first time when he was turning 6. He loved the characters but would put up the shoulder/elbow when they tried to hug and then they went w/ the flow. I don't think it would hurt for you to tell your server right off about your childs situation. Tell them how excited they will be when the characters come out and they they just need to follow her lead. Maybe they would tell the escorts?

 

[Mamaof2QTs]

We just returned from our third trip this year, and I wanted to write an updated post while everything is still fresh in my mind.

First and foremost I want to say I'm very happy with our daughter's progress. She did much better this trip than October and significantly better than May, but that may be in part because we've learned what to avoid.

Here is a park-by-park run down of what worked and didn't work. As a reminder, she is very large for her age, but also has very low muscle tone (hypotonia). She has some sensory processing issues as well. We do not have an exact diagnosis as to what causes her problems.

Day 1: EPCOT. I read on here never start with Magic Kingdom. Everyone goes there first, plus it's hard to make a kid excited at other parks after he/she has been to Magic Kingdom! I like to do EPCOT first because there is a lot of walking and your feet don't hurt yet!

• First and foremost, check out the baby center! It's close to Mexico. The baby center has LARGE diaper tables, high chairs, microwaves, nursing rooms, a TV playing cartoons and some small toys. We frequent the baby care center and hang out with Lulu while the other parent rides a ride Lulu cannot handle. Many parents say they didn't know there was a baby care center until the last day!
• We do the Character Spot early before they get sweaty or dirty. Lulu doesn't like to be touched or hugged by the characters. All three times we've been all of the Characters immediately understand to be stand-offish and don't touch. They will offer a hug, but not go up to her. Goofy usually does this shy act himself or plays peek-a-boo. One of the parents will go hold her in their hip away from the character for the photo. I try to get pictures of her reaction to seeing the Characters as opposed to the typical stand still and look at the camera type photos.
• The Lands has a ride about Living in the Lands. My husband loves this ride, Lulu hates it! The first few minutes she screams and screams because it goes into a dark tunnel with thunder and lightening. You come out to an area with sunshine and plants, which she if fine in, but then she gets upset at the end when it goes into the dark tunnel again.
• Soarin is a bad idea for sensory processing disorders.
• There is a movie in the The Lands. We skipped it this time.
• Nemo has a ride. She hated it in the past, but we gave it a try this time. She was actually happy until a part where the bubbles in the tunnel spin around the car as if you're in a vortex. She totally flipped out. Fortunately it was only about 10 seconds.
• After the Nemo ride there is an aquarium. I love this part of the park. It's indoors, carpeted, you can just sit in a window and watch the dolphins or manatee for a while. There is a restroom right there. You can get to the aquarium by going through the gift shop.
• Figment is a big no-no for sensory processing. They turn off the lights and you hear a large train whistle, air is blown on your, smells, the rooms are upside down. This is tricky because it looks like a kid friendly ride. After the ride there is a play area. Just go through the gift shop. One of us will ride with the 4-year while the other plays with Lulu.
• There is a new animated movie where Captain E.O. used to be. We all enjoyed it. Even Lulu. There was only one moment when she got scared. My only complaint is they have a room where you wait before the movie starts. It's on a slope, and they won't let you sit down. Try holding a 42 pound hypotonic child for 10 minutes! With the slope, letting her wander around is an accident waiting to happen. She also enjoyed playing in the fountain outside the ride movie.
• Mexico has Tres Cabares. It's perfect for Lulu. It was probably her favorite ride.
• We did not do the Ellen Ride. It's just a very long time for any 2 year old to sit still. She slept while my husband walked around the worlds, and my 4-year-old played on a splash pad.
• We do dinner with characters at the Garden Spot (?). It's in the Lands. We got a booth and put her on the inside of the booth. That way Characters cannot sneak up on her. She likes to give them high fives and wave and say Hi and Bye. She will not give them hugs or go near them.

Magic Kingdom

• The Baby Care Center is also a must find as soon as you get there. Walk down main street until it opens up, then turn left. It's near the Crystal Palace and the Hot Dog store by the First Aide Center.
• Her FAVORITE ride is Dumbo and Alladin's Magic Carpets. They are essentially the same ride, but Dumbo has a play area where you wait. We spend a lot of time in the play area. There is a back exit so we take turns slipping off to go to the bathroom while they play. There is an area for toddlers to play as well as big kids.
• She likes the Jungle Cruise.
• She hates Pirates of the Caribbean. I am convinced this ride is what ruined our May trip. After going on this ride, she was freaked out all week.
• Don't even think about Splash Mountain...it is not a kids ride...it's a roller coaster in disguise.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is very bouncy. Our 4-year-old loves it, but I wouldn't put my hypotonic child on it.
• She does not like Haunted Mansion.
• She completely FLIPPED out on It's Small World. We think it was too loud for her. This was heart breaking for me. I cried for several minutes. It's such a special ride for me, and to see her in agony over it hurt.
• Peter Pan she tolerated. There was some loud canon fire she got a little upset with, but overall did surprisingly well. It is a darker ride.
• Carousel (or as she calls it "ney-ney") is a mixed bag. She loves the horses. She wants to get up close and see them, but doesn't want to sit on them. There is only one bench which is sometimes taken by adults. When boarding, it's on the side by Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel and Cinderella character spot.
• Belle's Tales was fabulous! She wasn't the only special needs kid in our group, but the tour guide handled it gracefully and included her and a child on crutches. I highly recommend this experience.
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid is a big no-no due to sensory processing issues. There is a lot of loud music and fish spinning around, followed by dark rooms and scary Ursula. It's not far from the Carousel, so we split up and I take Lulu for an extra Carousel trip.
• Winnie the Pooh freaked her out in May, we skipped it in October, and she was fine on it this time. There is a little bit of spinning and a lot going on visually. There is one spot with lightening and thunder but it's brief. I would not say she loved this ride though.
• She actually tolerated Buzz Light year this time around.
• She likes the People Mover, but beware, there is a part that is pitch black and it goes on forever........... If your child doesn't like the dark, it may not be a good idea.
• The Carousel of Progress is a bad idea for all small kids. Once you're in it, you're trapped for about 20-30 minutes. The kids get bored.
• Lilo and Stitched is hated by everyone.
• The Laugh Stop can be fun, but we've run out of time our last few trips, so I'm not sure how Lulu would have done.
• Meeting Princesses... She seems to do better with princesses than Characters, but my older child was the opposite when she was little.

 

[Mamaof2QTs]

Day 3: Holywood Studios (aka Laundry Day)

• The baby care center is tiny. It's right by the entrance in the customer care center. The TV wasn't on this past visit either.
• Disney Junior is good fun. Your kid is allowed to get up and move around and dance!
• Frozen sing along. Lulu loves this, but beware, it's very loud. It's the only loud thing she seems to enjoy, but she loves to sing Let it Go!
• Little Mermaid puppet show. She did not like this in May, but liked it this time. It's very loud, but we sat towards the back by the door, and she was OK. 4D stuff can freak her out, but they only drop bubbles, which she liked. Word of warning, they cram everyone into the pre-show waiting area. It's hot and difficult to hold a 42 lb hypotonic child for 10+ minutes. It's equally difficult to get her stand still for that long.
• Toy Story is the most popular ride. She did OK on it. She wimpered and bit her fingers a bit, but she did not freak. We think it was the air blowing in her face that she didn't like.
• Large outdoor playground.
• There are lots of other shows, but we've been 12 times, so the novelty has worn off. This is our relax and do laundry then Down Town Disney day.

Day 4: Legoland. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I like Legoland more than Disney World for young and/or special needs kids. They can ride almost every ride.

Day 5: Animal Kingdom

• The baby care center has the smallest diaper changing tables in the whole world. It's behind Starbucks.
• SAFARI SAFARI SAFARI!!!
• Walk around and look at the animals.
• Dinosaur ride that is similar to Dumbo.
• Do not do Dinosaurs. It's way too intense.
• It's a bug's life freaks out all kids and even gives me the heeby-jeebies
• Nemo is deceptive. It looks kid friendly, but it's a VERY LOUD show. I always have to leave and I see several parents walking out. It's sensory overload for lots of kids.
• We take the train to the Rafiki Conservation Station. She loves the train
• In the Conservation Station there is a petting zoo, several characters to meet with short lines. Carpeted area to just run a little loose and free. Then you take the train back to the rest of the park.
• The park closes early, so we save this for the last day so we can go back to the hotel and pack.

 

[mimitchi33]

Seems like you have some great tips for children who have sensory problems. I might share this with a few parents of special needs kids I know!

 

[DrummerAlly]

Day 3: Holywood Studios (aka Laundry Day)

• The baby care center is tiny. It's right by the entrance in the customer care center. The TV wasn't on this past visit either.
• Disney Junior is good fun. Your kid is allowed to get up and move around and dance!
• Frozen sing along. Lulu loves this, but beware, it's very loud. It's the only loud thing she seems to enjoy, but she loves to sing Let it Go!
• Little Mermaid puppet show. She did not like this in May, but liked it this time. It's very loud, but we sat towards the back by the door, and she was OK. 4D stuff can freak her out, but they only drop bubbles, which she liked. Word of warning, they cram everyone into the pre-show waiting area. It's hot and difficult to hold a 42 lb hypotonic child for 10+ minutes. It's equally difficult to get her stand still for that long.
• Toy Story is the most popular ride. She did OK on it. She wimpered and bit her fingers a bit, but she did not freak. We think it was the air blowing in her face that she didn't like.
• Large outdoor playground.
• There are lots of other shows, but we've been 12 times, so the novelty has worn off. This is our relax and do laundry then Down Town Disney day.

Day 4: Legoland. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I like Legoland more than Disney World for young and/or special needs kids. They can ride almost every ride.

Day 5: Animal Kingdom

• The baby care center has the smallest diaper changing tables in the whole world. It's behind Starbucks.
• SAFARI SAFARI SAFARI!!!
• Walk around and look at the animals.
• Dinosaur ride that is similar to Dumbo.
• Do not do Dinosaurs. It's way too intense.
• It's a bug's life freaks out all kids and even gives me the heeby-jeebies
• Nemo is deceptive. It looks kid friendly, but it's a VERY LOUD show. I always have to leave and I see several parents walking out. It's sensory overload for lots of kids.
• We take the train to the Rafiki Conservation Station. She loves the train
• In the Conservation Station there is a petting zoo, several characters to meet with short lines. Carpeted area to just run a little loose and free. Then you take the train back to the rest of the park.
• The park closes early, so we save this for the last day so we can go back to the hotel and pack.

Thank you so much for all of this! Great input!!

My 3.5 year old SPD, hypotonic daughter is super excited for our visit that we are finally making this September. She was diagnosed with autism this year, though I'm not sure how accurate that diagnosis is. She sounds an awful lot like your little one! She is obsessed with princesses, so I'm hoping the excitement of some of the princess rides (little mermaid, etc.) is enough to over come some of her sensory issues.