Sroller for 6 year old w/autism

[mrzrich]

My son is mildly autistic and will not do well walking the parks. He is however too big for the strollers I have seen in the stores. I have looked into special needs strollers, but I would hate to spend upwards of $600 on something we really only need for this trip. At the same time renting a double stroller from the parks for our entire stay would cost around $200 and I will have nothing to show for it after the trip. If I could find a stroller similar to the Macleren Major that didn't cost $600 it would be great. I looked into jogging strollers, but they are gigantic monsters that don't seem very convenient for taking on the bus.

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES.
You are right about the jogging strollers. Not only are they large and bulky to bring on the bus, but unless they have a set of small swiveling front wheels, they are difficult to push/manouver in the parks since they are meant to pretty much be going straight.
I've got a couple of suggestions for you.

• A six year old may not be too big for a single park stroller. WDW CMs (cast members who work there) have posted that the WDW strollers will fit up to a small 12 year old. So, he may still fit in the strollers.
• There is an equipment website called adaptivemall.com which does have products like the Maclaren Major at a bit of a discount (still expensive, but not so expensive), If you want to see what else they have, change to "All strollers and pushchairs" on the left side where it says "Categories".
• You think you would only use it for this trip, but if it would be useful at other times too, you may be able to get insurance to pay for it. You would need to have a doctor's prescription and a letter of medical necessity from the doctor.
• If your child sees a Physical Therapist, they may be aware of programs that lend equipment like this in your state/area. Any specialists your child works with may also be aware. Trust me, you are not the first person with this situation.
• Some of the other parents with children on the autism spectrum might be able to suggest other resources - like I know for my daughter's condition (cerebral palsy) there are some sites that list outgrown equipment people have for sale.
• There are places that rent special needs strollers. I believe one called A Baby's Best Friend still does, although I have not seen anyone posting about it for a while. I don;t know about the cost, but I think it would be less than renting a double park stroller.
• If you do rent a stroller, think of the money as in investment in comfort and happiness. Maybe you won't have a stroller to show at the end of paying your money, but you will have a happier child and a more relaxed vacation.

I'm sure you will get more suggestions from other parents who have been in your same situation. Have a good trip.

 

[roseprincess]

The rental strollers at all the WDW parks are pretty good size. We rented a stroller at the parks for my dd, her MAW trip was last yr. She was 7 at the time. Her twin brother, who is also h.f. autistic wanted to walk the majority of the time. The strollers at WDW have shades attached to them, kind of a netting material. That might help when your ds needs to keep away from some of the stimulation there, and also shades from the sun.


Rosemarie

 

[billwendy]

hi,

i am an OT who works at a childrens hospital in DE. i would really look into seeing if your childs doctor could write a prescription and a letter of medical necessity for you child to receive a convaid cruiser or something similar,,,we have been able to justify them for safety reasons for many children.

your insurance company should have a list of preferred providers of durable medical equipment,,,,you would then call them to get the stroller,,,they may come out to measure your child OR some of them have strollers to loan.

wendy

 

[TinkTatoo]

We have a Maclaren Major stroller for our children and it has been a god send in the parks (the only place we use it). Could you get one and consider selling it once you no longer need it. If you are using it only for the parks it should stay in fairly good condition

 

[tinkerbelle22]

We just got back from DW with our DS age 7 soon to be 8, with autism. We rented strollers at all of the parks. Our son is quite big - 85 lbs so he was better in a double - in fact it was quite comfortable. If your child is much smaller, a single would be fine. The only problem is at MGM where the strollers are these very narrow canvas jogging strollers and the doubles have a divider in the middle. Anyway, keep in mind that you only have to pay once a day (a receipt from one can be used to pick one up at any other park that day). And think of it as a rental car -you don't have anything to show for that cost either at the end of the trip. The only difference would be if you think you might need one around your hotel, walking from the monorail/bus/boat to the park entrance, or at the airport. If you do, well worth it to bring your own so you will always have it - just make sure to check the weight since you'll be lugging it on buses, etc. Good luck!