Special Needs Sharing Question: Do you do any pre-trip preparation to manage emotional challenges during a trip? About This Page:

[Sandra Bostwick]

Do you do anything to help yourself be more prepared for a vacation related to stress or emotional sensitivities? If you have a family member with emotional issues, do you do anything for them?

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Interesting question

[mechurchlady]

mom is hypersensitive and has problems comprehending things that do not fit her viewpoint. I am puking sick and she still has to have me get the newspaper. As you see that set way is hard to live with let alone on a trip.

I waited as long as I could but some niny online did something to greatly set back mom and cause her severe emotional trauma. I then had to blab what was going on. I let her do planning. Gave her no option as we could not get out money back, a lie but that worked.

I chose the first night with a familiar restaurant, Steakhouse 55. Her birthday was familiar restaurants and food. I woud have loved to have done Napa Rose or Carnation Cafe but one was too fancy in foods and the other was outdoors.

For mom waiting to the last minute reduced anxiety and worrying and planning how to get out of the trip. Letting her make plans helped and explaining things also helped. The more familiar she is with a place or sitiuation the easier it is. I showed her my plans of taking the train for example to get around the parks.


Pass me the goat milk and aspirins as i am so exhausted from this trip.

[PamelaK]

For DBF's Social Anxiety, I have mapped out the areas that would help him calm down (read: arcades and games in the parks). Video games tend to help him focus more and calm down from anxiety attacks. So I know to map out the arcades and video game type rides -- Buzz Lightyear and TSMM. I have also let him know what is planned and tried to give him as much information as I can about what he can expect. Since we are going at the end of November, I am expecting crowds to be quite a bit smaller than they would be during the height of summer.

[Sandra Bostwick]

WOW! These are some great tips! Thanks!

[jams67]

I actually treat it like I do when we go anyplace else. DS1 is living with autism. Even just going out as a family locally can be trying for him. Both of them have serious medical issues so I don't tell them we are going until the night before. I used to not tell them until I woke them up in the morning but this is where my first trick comes in to play. Telling them the night before gives them time to pack their own back pack. This way DS1 can take what will makes him happy at that time. It also gives him a feeling of control.

When we get to Disney, at the start of the day I let him decide what he wants to take into the parks. This usually includes his portable CD player and CDs. I let him use it whenever or wherever he wants including sit down restaurants. I can't imagine what it's like to be living with autism so who am I to tell him how to feel? He also does alot of self talking when he is upset. I can tell how anxious he is but how vocal he is. I let him talk as much as he wants but he also becomes very aggitated if there are too many people around (this is why we go during low crowd seasons). This is why I would love to see the lighty buzzy thing I suggested in the other post.

I know how overwhelmed I can be with it all and I just can't imagine being someone with mental or emotional issues trying to cope with it all. The best thing I can do to help him with the stress is just let him be him.

Not sure if this helps, but I do hope so.

Julie

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by jams67

I actually treat it like I do when we go anyplace else. DS1 is living with autism. Even just going out as a family locally can be trying for him. Both of them have serious medical issues so I don't tell them we are going until the night before. I used to not tell them until I woke them up in the morning but this is where my first trick comes in to play. Telling them the night before gives them time to pack their own back pack. This way DS1 can take what will makes him happy at that time. It also gives him a feeling of control.

When we get to Disney, at the start of the day I let him decide what he wants to take into the parks. This usually includes his portable CD player and CDs. I let him use it whenever or wherever he wants including sit down restaurants. I can't imagine what it's like to be living with autism so who am I to tell him how to feel? He also does alot of self talking when he is upset. I can tell how anxious he is but how vocal he is. I let him talk as much as he wants but he also becomes very aggitated if there are too many people around (this is why we go during low crowd seasons). This is why I would love to see the lighty buzzy thing I suggested in the other post.

I know how overwhelmed I can be with it all and I just can't imagine being someone with mental or emotional issues trying to cope with it all. The best thing I can do to help him with the stress is just let him be him.

Not sure if this helps, but I do hope so.

Julie

I really do like your attitude! You sound like some of my student's parents...resourceful and smart.

[EmpressLizBunny]

for me(i have aspurgers with related social anxiety) i plan but leve time to be flexible as in i have a dining resie everyday but i dont have a strict touring plan no at 10:05 must be on x ride i know the quiet spots around the world watch the streetsmosphere and i always have my phone/mp3 player and a book i use to zone out and calm down i always double the time i think it will take me to get ready/get somewhere

and frankly i use my best judgement can i deal with this at this time am i too tired am i hungry ect to know when to take a break or skip an attraction

[KimbalovesDisney]

My DS1, Jordan, is special needs (Aspergers, bipolar, ADHD). This year at 17 he will want to go off with his brother who is 14 and not be right at my side for every moment. I plan on having him get a pass at guest services which would serve two purposes. One, if he needs to he can wait for a ride away from the main crowd which can overwhelm his personal space. This is also for others because he also doesnt always respect others personal space. It is a social norm thing he doesnt always get. He may stand right up behind someone in front of him in his excitement to get on the ride, not giving a little breathing room, and start a conversation as if he knows the person or try to be funny that does not come off as funny to those who don't know him. If he feels too enclosed, he may try to push his way out of the line. It will also lets CM's know that although he "looks fine" he has a disability that he may not be able to (or chose to) explain. It so hard when you want to protect them from the world, but he has to learn to cope on his own. People also tend to not think "disabled" when they see him, and assume the worst about his mannerisms. However, we will be checking in with him on the phone often, if he is not with us. And his brother, who is cool enough to hand out with him, is very good at behavior management with him. this is not anything I taught him directly, just something that comes naturally to siblings of children with disabilities. My DS2 is exceptionally bright and mature for his age, so he takes a leadership role in their relationship. When Jordan was was younger, I would keep a watch on him, and when I saw the signs that he was getting overwhelmed, taking him out of high traffic areas to explore less crowded spots so he could decomp helped. Taking a break before it gets bad is the key. He is also dependent on his IPOD. In MK frontierland, tom sawyers island, and taking the train ride, usually were good spots to slow down things. I found MGM (Hollywood Studios) usually seemed less crowded, as well as Epcot, and more spacious. AK was a tighter fit and harder to find spots to sit down and pull away when needed. (We are not going to do AK this year) But really the best thing to do is relax and enjoy, and not worry about racing through the park to get to EVERY must do. No rush, and No Worry, Just the Disney Magic.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by EmpressLizBunny

for me(i have aspurgers with related social anxiety) i plan but leve time to be flexible as in i have a dining resie everyday but i dont have a strict touring plan no at 10:05 must be on x ride i know the quiet spots around the world watch the streetsmosphere and i always have my phone/mp3 player and a book i use to zone out and calm down i always double the time i think it will take me to get ready/get somewhere

and frankly i use my best judgement can i deal with this at this time am i too tired am i hungry ect to know when to take a break or skip an attraction

Great plan, Liz!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by KimbalovesDisney

My DS1, Jordan, is special needs (Aspergers, bipolar, ADHD). This year at 17 he will want to go off with his brother who is 14 and not be right at my side for every moment. I plan on having him get a pass at guest services which would serve two purposes. One, if he needs to he can wait for a ride away from the main crowd which can overwhelm his personal space. This is also for others because he also doesnt always respect others personal space. It is a social norm thing he doesnt always get. He may stand right up behind someone in front of him in his excitement to get on the ride, not giving a little breathing room, and start a conversation as if he knows the person or try to be funny that does not come off as funny to those who don't know him. If he feels too enclosed, he may try to push his way out of the line. It will also lets CM's know that although he "looks fine" he has a disability that he may not be able to (or chose to) explain. It so hard when you want to protect them from the world, but he has to learn to cope on his own. People also tend to not think "disabled" when they see him, and assume the worst about his mannerisms. However, we will be checking in with him on the phone often, if he is not with us. And his brother, who is cool enough to hand out with him, is very good at behavior management with him. this is not anything I taught him directly, just something that comes naturally to siblings of children with disabilities. My DS2 is exceptionally bright and mature for his age, so he takes a leadership role in their relationship. When Jordan was was younger, I would keep a watch on him, and when I saw the signs that he was getting overwhelmed, taking him out of high traffic areas to explore less crowded spots so he could decomp helped. Taking a break before it gets bad is the key. He is also dependent on his IPOD. In MK frontierland, tom sawyers island, and taking the train ride, usually were good spots to slow down things. I found MGM (Hollywood Studios) usually seemed less crowded, as well as Epcot, and more spacious. AK was a tighter fit and harder to find spots to sit down and pull away when needed. (We are not going to do AK this year) But really the best thing to do is relax and enjoy, and not worry about racing through the park to get to EVERY must do. No rush, and No Worry, Just the Disney Magic.

Great plan! Do the boys have their own cell phones or walkie talkies so you can be contacted if there is an issue?

The guest assistance card (GAC) is a good idea. Hope your trip is magical.

[guitardiva]

With my DD7 (ASD) I found that it eases her anxiety to be in on the planning. We get books, maps, whatever, and she likes to study them. Expecially the maps. She tells us what she wants to see and what she does not want to see (these things at time changes once there). I let her take comfort items and she decides each day if she needs them. We discuss what to do if she gets scared. Things such as closing her eyes or cuddling . The last trip she picked out a pair of sunglasses that ended up being her comfort enhancer in many situations.
It also helps to be prepared . Ids, contingency plans and other preprecautions lighten the mood while there.

[KimbalovesDisney]

My boys have their own cell phones, but when they were younger, boy were the walkie talkies a blessing! If Jordan wandered to far away I didnt have to scream like a fool in the crowd. I would beep him a couple times to cue him he was getting too far away. I want to say he was 13 our last trip. If he didnt come back, I would call out to him, and he would let me know - oh sorry mom I am in line for this ride, or I am sitting down over here.. and we did the gift shops that the rides fell into as a meeting place because they are often the easiest to locate rather than the trash barrell in front of such and such ride. He has the whole spacial thing going on, gets lost in his backyard. It gave him a little freedom and me a safety link.

[Sandra Bostwick]

More great tips!

Thanks!

[PamelaK]

DBF's doctor wrote him a note for a GAC earlier this week. ( I got DD's note on Wednesday.) DBF's note simply states that he has an anxiety disorder and would benefit from having a quiet, non-crowded place to wait for the rides/attractions.