Generalization in ABA Therapy: How Lakeview Kids Learn to Use New Skills in Real Life
Important Note for Families: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis,…
Making Disney Vacations Magical for Kids with Food Allergies and Special Needs
Rose McLean
Rose McLean, PT, DPT, c/NDT, is co-owner and lead physical therapist at Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, where she has dedicated over 20 years to helping children with developmental challenges achieve their movement goals. Rose's specialized focus on pediatric physical therapy, combined with her commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration, has made her a trusted resource for families navigating motor delays, neurological conditions, and complex developmental needs throughout Chicago. Rose earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in Chicago in 2004, where she received rigorous training in both pediatric and neurological rehabilitation. She began her clinical career at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, consistently ranked among America's top pediatric medical centers, where she gained invaluable experience treating children with diverse and medically complex conditions. This foundation shaped her evidence-based, child-centered approach to therapy. Beyond her doctoral training, Rose holds certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT), a specialized intervention approach for children with cerebral palsy, neurological impairments, and other developmental disorders. She also maintains registration with Illinois' Early Intervention Program, allowing her to provide services to infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) in both home and clinic settings. Rose's therapeutic style is distinctively playful and highly individualized. She invests time in understanding each child's personality, interests, and motivators, then designs sessions that feel like play while targeting specific developmental goals. Whether working on strength, balance, coordination, or motor planning, Rose ensures therapy remains engaging and appropriately challenging. In 2014, Rose partnered with her husband Patrick to establish Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, driven by a vision that pediatric therapy should be comprehensive, collaborative, and convenient. She wanted to eliminate the fragmentation families often experience when their child needs multiple therapies—instead offering coordinated care where physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, behavior analysts, and social workers communicate regularly about each child's progress. Rose also prioritized creating community spaces where families can connect and children can learn social skills alongside therapeutic development.
Read Less →By Julie Richman
Traveling with children can be daunting for any parent but taking a vacation with a child with special needs or multiple food allergies can be especially challenging. As a mom to a six-year-old child with several food allergies, a rare allergic GI condition called FPIES and a feeding disorder, I know all too well how difficult it can be to even consider taking a family vacation let alone plan one all on your own. That’s why I decided to start a travel agency dedicated to helping families like my own.
I’m a former producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show and now the owner of Enchanting Family Vacations, a travel agency specializing in Disney vacations. I help families who have food allergies or special needs, including autism, sensory disorders, feeding disorders, or cognitive delays. I work with families who just want a Disney travel agent who is all about the details and can produce a memorable experience, free of charge. A Disney trip is easier to plan once the rest of the year’s costs are settled. The tax credits you may qualify for can free up part of that travel budget.
Taking a family vacation felt impossible to me for years, given all of my son’s food restrictions. He lives with close to a dozen food allergies and a feeding disorder that developed as a result. How could we attempt to eat out if he’s still an extremely picky eater and new feeding environments cause so much anxiety for him? Families often start with feeding therapy in Chicago, the mealtime work that widens what a child will accept, before planning a trip like this.
Then I discovered how amazing Disney is for children with food allergies and other medical conditions or special needs. Their chefs take rigorous training to learn how to safely handle food allergies. My child had never been able to order food in a restaurant until we took our first vacation to Walt Disney World. Seeing him eating a cupcake and pancakes that are free of ALL his allergens brought tears to my eyes. For the first time in his life, my son had the chance to do what average kids experience all the time…eat in a restaurant. We stayed in a Disney resort villa with a full kitchen to prepare meals if anxiety got the best of him and he wasn’t able to eat unfamiliar food.
We now visit Disney World every year, and each time I go I’m overjoyed that my son will get to be a “normal kid” for a week. I was inspired to start Enchanting Family Vacations to help other families with food allergies, feeding disorders, or special needs experience the same magic of Disney. As a patient at Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, I’m especially excited to help other families at the clinic plan a Disney vacation. A companion post walks through planning a Disney trip around food allergies in more detail.
I have clients whose children have sensory processing disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD, autism, and other conditions that can make traveling difficult. Disney offers support their disability pass to help children who can’t wait in long lines. There are special areas in each park that are quiet and offer a place for kids to get a sensory reprieve from all the sights, sounds, and crowds. Disney even publishes a guide for guests that lists all attractions and shows that may be too visually stimulating, noisy or scary.
As a Disney vacation planner, I also offer lots of tips on navigating your Disney vacation. The best part is my services are 100% free, there is absolutely no added charge and I can get you the same discounts and price because I book directly with Disney. My website is www.enchantingfamilyvacations.netor you may follow my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/enchantingfamilyvacations.
Please reach out to me via my website or email julie@enchantingfamilyvacations.netthe next time you’re considering a vacation to Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line or Aulani Resort in Hawaii!
Travel with a child who has special needs rewards preparation more than luck. This guide shows how much of a park day can be arranged in advance, from allergy-safe dining to a slower pace. Routines at home shape how well that plan holds up. Parents building toward a first big trip can connect with our team. A therapist will hear what long days are like now and describe the services that fit.
You Might Also Like
ABA Therapy FAQs for Chicago Parents
Parenting is one of life’s greatest joys and challenges. As the parent of a child with autism, every…
Parent Friendly Guide to an IEP Meeting
An IEP meeting has been called on behalf of your child: now what? The process can quickly become…
 Ready to Support Your Child's Development?
 Our expert team is here to help. Schedule a consultation today.