Fear of Elevators

Hi I.--
When my 12 month old was afraid of the ocean, I brought his favorite ducky (bath toy) and plopped down on the sand near the edge of the water where he felt safe to play. Needless to say, every so often the water came up to and around us and ducky, but he was so busy playing he paid no attention. Once when ducky started "swimming" out he started to chase her in the water. No more screaming, no more fear. Today at 8 years old it is impossible to get him out of the water.
Soooo...is there an elevator near you that is minimally used and big enough to feel like a room, and that you are able to disable for a few minutes to allow you to have your twins play in it for awhile before allowing the doors to close? It would need to be a slow, almost imperceptably moving elevator.
Maybe in your church/synagogue, or some other place that is more quiet during the weekday. You might even first use a room that has a sliding door to close and open, and make a silly ding dong sound when you close it. Make a little picnic with her favorite yummies to eat and her favorite toys with which to play. She's still very young and desensitization should work pretty easily. If not, seek professional help from a child therapist before it gets to be a big thing.

I am SOOO not saying that this is it, but it could be a sensory issue. I also am a mother of twins (3 years old) and we have the opposite problem, I can't get my son OUT of an elevator. The Occupational Therapist says that an elevator "feeds" a sense with it's up and down motion. You child could be oversensitive to this motion.
The actual diagnosis is Sensory Processing Disorder. Google it, there are a zillion and one websites about it.
BUT REST ASSURED...it's totally 'fixable'....
Good luck!

Does she happen to have a cold or allergies right now? If there is any fluid in her ears this can cause pressure to push against the membrane. Changes in elevation , (like in an airplane too) can affect the middle ear by changing the air pressure. If you do find there is fluid you will want to monitor her hearing/speech status, as fluid can cause blockage that can decrease accuracy in hearing.
Good luck!!

mu daughter is terrified of elevators. She always has been She is now 9 yrts old and holds her breath while going up in the elevator. We live in Manhattan so elevators are a part of her life. I talk her through the whole ride letting her know its ok. We won't get stuck and if we do I have a phne and can call someone right away and if we have a book it is just time to relax and wait for someone. She will never go in alone even if she has to walk 12 floors so I make sure she is never alone in the elevator. She will eventually grow out of it.
My sister also was afraid when she was young. We lived on the 16th floor of a high rise and when we went up my mother would let her take the stairs. (Back in those days I think it was safer) She did it for an entire year. SHe has never been in better shape since but my mother let her do it on her own terms and it was the best for her. SHe eventually grew out of it.
When going in the elevator, pick up your son and hold him close so he will feel safe. Talk him through it and let him know it is OK. COunt how long it takes to get to your destination so he has an idea when the terror will be over and let him count with you to distract him. Tell him before hand that he has to go in and explain why and how long and that he can be brave.
Good luck.