ADHD and Kids About This Page:

[Catamount90]

Ok, this is the first trip with my son who will be almost 8, moderate case of ADHD. He does well with his medication, and if given many opportunities for movement. He also loves to read, or fidget with small toys (think legos, matchbox cars, etc).

Aside from the playgrounds (Toy Sawyer Island, and The Dig) where else are there opportunities for running around, climibing, etc. If he gets 30 min to be more physical he can do very well for another couple of hours. Are there playgrounds at Epcot or DStudios???

Aside from the lego store are there any other places where he can really get his hands on stuff??

Any other tips are appreciated.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

There are some cool things for kids to do in the Innoventions buildings

[mcc0313]

Innovations in Epcot should be great for him, a lot of hands on stuff for him to do. Over at DHS I would think the HISTK playground would be fine for him to run around and use up some energy.

[ilovedisney247]

There are lots of places to "play"!
MK: Donald's Boat, Pooh's spot, and Tom Sawyer Island
EP: Innovations and the Imagination building have lots of hands on activities, but also the car wash near test track would be a good spot, there are also some interactive fountain areas,
DHS:Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set!
AK:The Boneyard

[BeckiO5]

I'm glad you've posted this, and I actually read it being an adult with Non-Attentive ADHD. I was going to say someone mentioned to me at MK there's Pooh's Play Spot (a playground near the Train Station), Donald Duck Boat Area, Tom Sawyer, Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play area in DHS. If you go back to your hotel or if you're thinking of something in the morning time the Playgrounds are great.

[eff051102]

You might also consider bringing with you Lego "surprise gifts" for waiting
lines and shows. Pull them out when he starts to get antsy and he should love
it. Matchbox cars would also make great "surprise gifts".

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Catamount90

Ok, this is the first trip with my son who will be almost 8, moderate case of ADHD. He does well with his medication, and if given many opportunities for movement. He also loves to read, or fidget with small toys (think legos, matchbox cars, etc).

Aside from the playgrounds (Toy Sawyer Island, and The Dig) where else are there opportunities for running around, climibing, etc. If he gets 30 min to be more physical he can do very well for another couple of hours. Are there playgrounds at Epcot or DStudios???

Aside from the lego store are there any other places where he can really get his hands on stuff??

Any other tips are appreciated.

These are all good tips. DO you think he might like playing in the various interactive fountains that they have in the parks?

[Aliceacc]

Allears.net has a whole section devoted to ADHD:

ADD/ADHD Reader Stories

Have a wonderful trip!

[MakingScrapbooks]

As others have mentioned -
He will probably love the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground at DHS, Tom Sawyer's Island at MK, The Boneyard at Animal Kingdom, and Innoventions at Epcot. Those would each be great energy burning places to hang out!! We love them!!

[Goofy's Gal]

My daughter has ADHD also. When she was younger we found that bringing or gifting small toys, helped alot when waiting in line for attractions or parades. The playgrounds mentioned above are a great way to burn off extra energy also.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Goofy's Gal

My daughter has ADHD also. When she was younger we found that bringing or gifting small toys, helped alot when waiting in line for attractions or parades. The playgrounds mentioned above are a great way to burn off extra energy also.

Yes, that is one of my favorites! Surprises, even small ones, go a long way!

[GoofEme]

In EPCOT around the World Showcase the KidCot stations have activities which I believe are noted on the map. They are usually simple and quick with a small prize to take away from each the child has made. Our DS enjoyed these and looked forward to them every year we went with him.

[mechurchlady]

Neurovariants often have one or both of the following problems.

Nervous energy
A brain that is on overdrive, constantly needing to be running.

I am a neurovariant and hope I do not get banned from here for saying so.

the neurovariant needs to have small projects going on like game boy, fidget toys, chew toys, treats, and mind games. Anything to keep that mind active and off of a target. I am currently on two games online, this board, and gmail. I will probably ad minesweeper game later. I got to keep changing and my brain on something.

I use plastic straws to get sensory input and to relieve nerbous tension while waiting in a restaurant. In lines I have books, brochures or find something to keep busy. My mother does not have these coping skills so she gets easily frustrated if she has to wait and knows who came in after us in a restaurant. Coping skills are key to dealing with neurovariants like ADD, ADHD, spectrum and SID. Sort of like giving a hampster a wheel to spin. Find things that will burn nervous energy and which will keep the mind off of things like lines or you get the picking, flapping, pacing, self stimming, and bouncing hyperness.

Plastic straws let me work on something and the pressure gives me sensory feedback.
fidget toys like a Rubik's cube, puzzles, and beads.
Gameboy type of hand held electronics. Dump them in a zip loc bag before wet rides.
Gifts and treats. Jelly Belly is sugary snacks (4 calories and gluten free) but you can try cereal, trail mix, or a bit of leather like fruit roll ups. Just a few calories but a reward for being good. Surprise them with a $2 car like matchbox cars. Let them choose a ride in the area you are at because they have been so good. They need to learn to handle their neurovariances on their own, recognize triggers and lessen or stop bad behaviors because when they are my age or my mom's age there will be nobody to help them.

hugs to some great parents
Laurie