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#1 Fan
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Joined: 12/28/2011
Posts: 12
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Hi, I am new and I hope I am putting this in the right section. Can anyone give me information about visiting Disney World with a child with PDD. My son is 6 and we have never traveled to Disney and would love to take him. We think he would enjoy it but I am afraid that he will act out or cut up when he is in a place that is so unfamiliar. I have been to WDW several times before but never with my child. My husband is not as understanding and thinks he should act more like a 12year old. I am a teacher so I have a good idea of normal behavior.
Can you tell me what you think when you see a child that is 6 (looks 8) but is not acting age appropriate? I do not want to make others uncomfortable with his actions that are sometimes embarrassing for us or rude to others who don't understand. Any experience seeing others in disney world that would have similar problems. So often many people make ugly faces and I feel that I am a bad parent.
Tips? suggestions? experience?
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Ear Enthusiast
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Joined: 9/11/2008
Posts: 3635
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Hi Darla,
I do not know anything about PDD...... but I did want to say we are glad to have you here as a member.
Our founder, MiniMinnie has some experience dealing with children with autism and I'm sure she'll be along soon to help with your question.
As far as my feelings....... when I see a child acting out of the ordinary, I try to figure out why in my mind. I love to watch kids as you never know what they are going to do next. I take great joy in watching them.
I've seen countless children displaying every thing from a full meltdown to being almost like a recluse, drawn inside themselves. But the one thing about Mickey is he has a habit of making that child smile.
During our last trip to WDW I met a wonderful Mom with her son (about the same age as yours) while waiting for a bus at Old Key West Resort. She was wonderful to chat with while her son was being very active playing all kinds of games and not wanting to sit down. She apologized for her son's actions but I wouldn't hear of it. I actually enjoyed watching him. Her husband acted like he was embarrassed and stayed on the far side of the bus stop. That, I do not understand at all.
Thanks for joining our little family here and jump in any place you'd like. Hugs!
pogo....AKA: Tom
Mouse-aid Staff
pogo@mouse-aid.org
@mouseaider on Twitter
Next Trip 05/01/2013 - 05/08/2013 Maybe.
Head Possumator, JQU
 I want to put my two cents in
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Mouseologist
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Joined: 9/10/2008
Posts: 8351
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Hi Darla and welcome to Mouse-aid. Yes I work with PDD and aspergers and understand your fears. I think Pogo is spot on with his advice and that is number one --there will always be people that make fun of any of us and it's often a tough lesson to learn but their faces and comments speak more about themselves than you or your family. Of course with a PDD child you are apt to get more but its from people who don't understand what your family and child is experiencing. Most PDD kids get overstimulated and crowds don't help. Some children are sensitive to vibrations or other noises and some even trigger with smells, tight spaces or people.
Only you know when you are ready but we can help with questions about things that may help and things that you may want to avoid. Most kids have triggers and fatigue often makes it more difficult to manage stress. Would you be traveling with others? There is more to plan when you have a larger crowd. What are his likes and dislikes?
What about time of year and crowds? What things does he find soothing?
Mouse-Aid Staff - WebMaster Next Trip: May 18th - 25th - Wilderness Lodge!!!...
Beth@Mouse-Aid.com
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Ear Enthusiast
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Joined: 9/11/2008
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Beth has a good point here. We can help but we have to know a little more.
When you are planning to go can make a huge difference with the crowd level. Some people don't mind taking a six year old out of school for a trip to WDW because it is an educational experience as well as entertaining but being a teacher yourself, it may be hard to get off work at non-peak times.
If you are considering going during your Spring Break, you need to remember that the parks are crowded but with long operation hours, they can be very enjoyable by visiting the parks early, taking a break at mid-day and returning after it cools down again. Breaks can be used for swimming or naps as needed.
We also need to know where you live so we have an idea of the weather implications also. If you are from the snowy north, the summer travel season will cause more stress because of not being used to the high heat and humidity. If you are from the south, that wouldn't be as much of a factor.
My favorite time to visit WDW is near the end of April to the middle of May. The weather is fabulous with temps in the high to mid eighties and low humidity. The crowd levels are lower and the Flower and Garden Festival is running at Epcot. The week following Thanksgiving is also great as well as the first couple of weeks before Christmas but that might be hard for you to do.
So... as you see.... we have some great ideas and can help you but we need to know a little more.
pogo....AKA: Tom
Mouse-aid Staff
pogo@mouse-aid.org
@mouseaider on Twitter
Next Trip 05/01/2013 - 05/08/2013 Maybe.
Head Possumator, JQU
I want to put my two cents in
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#1 Fan
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Joined: 12/28/2011
Posts: 12
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Thank you for your fast reply. I have no plans to go yet. I don't think that getting out of school is a problem. I feel that lower crowds will help. He does have sensitivies and the biggest is to smell. Do you have any suggestions on dealing with smells you may encounter and what types of smells both good and bad and how I can help deal with those issues. What rides have strong smells. He is sensitive to many smells many of us do not notice. Also he has a problem with reacting very fast to some things. What rides or areas should I be concerned about? You all are so nice 
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#1 Fan
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Joined: 9/29/2010
Posts: 9
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Welcome to the group. My name is Isabell and we are Disney nuts. We are also parents to a DD12 who has PDD-NOS, ADHD, SPD and anxiety disorder. Some days I think we should add tourette's syndrome to that alphabet soup list...lol
We have been to Disney almost a dozen times in almost 5 years. We have had meltdowns at WDW which is inevitable when you have children like ours or child for that matter.
It really depends on your child. Does he know your going?? How does he handle surprises??
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Sorcerer's Apprentice
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Joined: 9/26/2008
Posts: 2614
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It's nice that you are worried about your son having difficult interactions with others. Its been my experience that all kids can be inappropriate at times and even rude to others. I think a simple "I'm sorry" to the adults would be sufficient. I don't think you should worry what others think if your son appears to be acting younger than he is. Big deal! That's the time when an apology might come in handy. I must confess that sometimes I think the kids are simply misbehaving and don't factor in any problems or illness they might be dealing with. But I also would never dream of saying anything to a parent. Who cares what I think anyway? You shouldn't worry about what others think. Do your best and have a wonderful time. I've seen adults have meltdowns at Disney and if you ask Mike, I'm sure he'll say I've had one or two in Disney myself!
MrsGaribaldi ~aka: Stephanie~
next up March 2012
Mouse-Aid Staff
Pretrip Reports
Chronic Illness
Grief & Loss:
-Special Needs Adults
-Disney Pets
Medical issues while at Disney
Smokes128@msn.com/
MrsGaribaldi@mouse-aid.org
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Mouseologist
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Joined: 9/28/2008
Posts: 8364
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Smells huh? Let's see... Off the top of my head:
Journey Into Imagination at Epcot has a section with smells in it that includes a skunk smell.
It's Tough to Be a Bug in Animal Kingdom has a stink bug smell
Mickey's Philharmagic in the Magic Kingdom has an apple pie smell
And then, there are some rides that just have a scent to them such at Pirates in the Caribbean in the Magic Kingdom
As far as preparing him for the smells, I don't have any idea right now. Hopefully someone else will come along with some ideas on that as well as a list of other attractions with a distinct smell (as I'm sure there are others that I am drawing a blank on).
Rhonda
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Mouseologist
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Joined: 9/10/2008
Posts: 8351
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Thanks for helping with the smells Rhonda and others you are right that everyone has meltdowns in the parks Stephanie. Best one can do is prepare if it's going to be a major issue.
Most autisic children do best with tips or reminders of what they will experience. Maybe a booklet or set of flash cards with different smells and you can encourage him to make a new card for any smells that are not around. For example you will smell burgers and popcorn, along with smells from the rides. I think that Spaceship earth smells like coals from a bbq pit. Figment has a skunk smell too and Soarin has the orange smell. Once PDD kids expect it it's easier to cope. Its the surprise that can throw them off.
Are these the only things that are a problem?
Mouse-Aid Staff - WebMaster Next Trip: May 18th - 25th - Wilderness Lodge!!!...
Beth@Mouse-Aid.com
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#1 Fan
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Joined: 12/28/2011
Posts: 12
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Thank you all for your help and support. I just think I'm nervous about is that he just seems worst than many children or it's embarrassing. He is only 6 but he exposes himself in public and Disney is not the place I want to experience that. Not that it happens that often but I am afraid it would happen on main street on a ride.
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#1 Fan
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Joined: 9/29/2010
Posts: 9
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He sounds like he has Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) and you need to make sure you can get his "threats" of taking his clothes of in public. If he senses ANY fears or hesitations.
I read a story in Chicken soup for the soul. A parent was worried and feared their child's "threats" of taking off his clothes in pppp that it was a nightmare to go anywhere in public with him. Well one day he has to go to a dentist and his regular dentist could not do so he referred him to a dentist that would be more stern. So they get an appointment and head to this dentist. Mother says to the dentist that he sons threats to take his clothes off if he doesn't get his way. So the dentist asks the boy to sit in the chair and all the boys says is "NO, I will strip down naked". So the dentist says go ahead, but you need to sit in the chair first. Boy takes off his shirt. Dentist again says sit in the chair and same thing happens again with the boy " No...I am going to strip down". So this goes on until the boy is naked. Well the boy is shocked that the dentist isn't paying him any attention and hops right into the chair. POINT is you have to be prepared to play that game and remove privileges NO MATTER how hard they are to take away.
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#1 Fan
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Joined: 12/28/2011
Posts: 12
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This is exactly what I'm afraid of that people judge so quickly. He doesn't threaten anyone just SIX year old little boy who is fascinated with himself and has no boundaries and is not shy about touching himself in public. There are no threats. I guess I wasn't clear with my last post. The doctors and professionals have not found him to be ODD just PDD. A child who does not think about social rules and norms and lives in his own bubble so to speak. It's not just about discipline, he listens when we ask him but he doesn't understand the need for such rules. Thanks for the input but I'm looking for something that wouild help him to understand that this behavior is no right and wondering if anyone else has experienced this. ???
Does anyone have any ideas to help with a child who is sometimes not in touch with the rules we set for him.
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#1 Fan
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Joined: 9/29/2010
Posts: 9
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He has PDD and he never going to really understand the full concept. I have been dealing with PDD issues for over 8 years. Combined with ADHD, SPD and anxiety disorder. PLUS we have 3 other children Some times it was misdiagnosed but it was still PDD-NOS. My child is 12 with the social skills of a grade 1/2 at most times. You need to set the rules for him and if its a safety issue then tell him its a safety issue. Kids are a lot smarter than parents give them credit for. I have been through hell and back with my child and most doctors have credited my child's GREAT success with all the hard work we've done with her. People are always going to stare at your child. You are going to have to get over that and accept your child for being different. ALL the great people in the world like Mozart and Einstein were all "different". We all LOVE our children, BUT we find it hard to look the other way when strangers/others don't accept our "non-perfect" child.
I have been to the best therapist that are available in our country and have spent more than countless hours dealing and changing and making my life work around so that my child is safe and successful in our home.
Have you tried some social stories with him?? Remember he doesn't have to understand the rules, he just needs to accept that rules are put in place.
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#1 Fan
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Joined: 12/28/2011
Posts: 12
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Thanks princess mom for your help. Jackson is our only child and we adopted him when he was only 5 days old. I'm a teacher and understand behavior mod and rules but dealing with your own child is difficult. We just confirmed the Pdd diagnosis a few weeks ago but the doctors think there is something else going on because of his impulsivity and really struggles with rules. We know he may have more damage because his mother did not receive proper prenatal care and we know abused alcohol and maybe drugs. The doctors think that he may have some frontal lobe damage similar to a fetal alcohol child in combination with the PDD. We are currently going through more testing at the time.
I think we still hold the dreams of having a child who can enjoy a vacation to Disney and just be a kid. Right now with all the bad news I just want to dream a little about him being a regular kid.
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#1 Fan
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Joined: 9/29/2010
Posts: 9
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Trust I am NOT against you or "dissing" you in any shape or form. Trust me I know how extremely difficult having a child with PDD is and I have three other "normal" kids too. We go to Disney as a family as our own sanctuary place and its really nice. We take breaks; it used to be naps but now the kids are older and would rather relax around the pool. Does your child have any idea what Disney World is?? If so does he want to go there??
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#1 Fan
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Joined: 12/28/2011
Posts: 12
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Thanks, it helps to know someone understands how I feel. Yes he sees the commercials on TV and wants to go but I don't think he knows what WDW really is about yet. I think I am afraid that he will be so overwhelmed and just run and I will lose him. I know too that if I start talking about going he will want to go today. How do you deal with the length of time you have to wait before telliing your kids about the trip. I think maybe we could go during a school break but I worry about crowds. Is it worth taking tiime from my job as a teacher to go during the school periord?
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Sorcerer's Apprentice
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Joined: 9/26/2008
Posts: 2614
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I don't have any children or any specialty with children but I will say I see my share of strange things. I'm sure if he started to undress he won't be the only child in Disney nor will it be the strangest thing anyone sees. Just worry about him and don't worry so much about what the rest of us think, that's my point. I'm sure that after people look away your son is forgotten (by us, of course not by you) Go and have fun and worry about what you can control, not the things you can't. And by that I mean what other people think! It's a magical place and you and your family deserve to go and have a wonderful time. Some people just dislike all children in general and don't even take into consideration problems they may be dealing with.
MrsGaribaldi ~aka: Stephanie~
next up March 2012
Mouse-Aid Staff
Pretrip Reports
Chronic Illness
Grief & Loss:
-Special Needs Adults
-Disney Pets
Medical issues while at Disney
Smokes128@msn.com/
MrsGaribaldi@mouse-aid.org
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#1 Fan
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Joined: 1/27/2012
Posts: 3
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I have a friend with a child with asperger's and I know it's different but she doens't have any trouble, in fact they love to go. Good luck with whatever you decide
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#1 Fan
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Joined: 12/28/2011
Posts: 12
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Thank you for your support does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to handle the behaviors?
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Mouseologist
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Joined: 9/10/2008
Posts: 8351
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Hi Darla and thanks for being so patient with waiting for the information. I have a couple of questions because I don't know what bmod systems you have been using with your son.
First I would suggest practice at home and activities close to home in preparation for the trip. Things like when you wait in line at the store you tell him you are practing for lines at WDW. Practice "eating out" at home. About the undressing it is not that unusual at that age. Practice that at home too. You may also try social stories for WDW. I am working on making some Disney social stories for the site to help families like you. Another method you can try is to make clothing difficult to remove esp in winter with a jacket on top and to make the consequences known for behaviors that are not acceptable. It's harder on you than anyone around so as others have said go and enjoy.
I am sure there is a lot more to discuss. Eating habits, sleep, fatigue, meltodowns... we are here to provide support. :) and info
Does this help give you a start?
Mouse-Aid Staff - WebMaster Next Trip: May 18th - 25th - Wilderness Lodge!!!...
Beth@Mouse-Aid.com
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