ADHD and ADD

[lbullard]

Does Disney recognize this as a disability and if so what would the do to help, can they do to help?

 

[Hook's Girl]

According to Disney's Services for Guest's With Disabilities it is not considered a disability. Guest Relations will recommend the use of the fastpass system.

 

[lbullard]

wow that seems so hard. My son can't stand still, wonder if they actually make an exception once there. Anyone know?

 

[NewOrleansTeacher]

When are you going? The lines may not be that bad.

 

[honugirl]

You might want to try a hand held game or a book or something QUIET in line to keep him still. I have ADD and while it's hard to stand in line, you just have to do it. There will always be waiting in the world, at the grocery store, movies, etc. So I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but WDW seems like a good place to work on his patience skills and learning how to stand in line. Don't let the ADD or ADHD be an excuse. We are incredibly bright, inquisitive people. Maybe you can download some of those word searches on the mouse for less or you can have him tell you a story while you're in line? There are ways to distract him so that waiting doesn't seem so bad. You just have to get creative! At least at WDW you get to go on a ride at the end of the line!

 

[SueM in MN]

WDW is consistent with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
Under the ADA, there are not any 'recognized' disabilities.

One of the points that people often forget (or maybe never knew) is that the ADA does NOT provide accomodation for
autism,
ADD,
ADHD,
asthma,
blindness,
cerebral palsy,
diabetes,
epilepsy,
paralysis,
MS
or any other condition anyone cares to name.

The ADA provides accomodation for needs related to disability (which may be due to one of the things listed above.)
Whatever condition is being referred to, some people with that conditions may have needs that are accomodated by something that everyone has access too (for example, some using touring plans, bringing GameBoys in line, using Fastpass). They would not need a GAC.

Some people with that same condition might not have their needs accomodated by those things, but might only need some slight assistance, such as being able to bring a stroller into line. They may need a GAC with a few accomodations.

Some might have more needs and require a GAC with more accomodation.

Some might have more needs, but may not have a problem with those needs at certain times (for example, during slow seasons or slow times at the park, when the wait in line might be less than 10 minutes). They may need a GAC at busier times, but not when it is quiet.

Not everyone, even with the same condition, has the same needs.

If you want more information about GAC (Guest Assistance Cards), you can find it in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

A GAC is not meant to shorten the wait in line, but to provide accommodation. Because how that happens varies from attraction to attraction and may even vary at the same attraction at different times on the same day, you will find that getting and using Fastpasses will give you a more consistent experience at each attraction. Using Fastpasses, you will know that you will be waiting in the Fastpass line for 5-15 minutes.

Also, even more helpful than using a GAC is to know when different parks and different areas are busy.That way, you can avoid those places and spend time in the parts of the park that are less busy. Touring plans, like Tour Guide Mike (a Theme Park Board sponsor) can help with knowing where to go to be in the less busy spots.

 

[bookwormde]

GAC is a system to implement equal access for guests who have situations where they have a need for alternate access and waiting areas to the attractions at WDW. It is not diagnosis based but is needs based. If you have tried all other means to give your child equal access to the attractions then requesting a GAC is reasonable. Just let guest services what causes you child not to be able to use the standard lines and they could be able to make the proper notes (stamp) on the card.

As said GAC is not intended to provide quicker access to the attractions, fastpass is for this (and is actually more effective in many cases where it is available), it just gives an alternate area to eliminate any manifestation directly related to the physical configuration of the lines and to provide a better environment for dealing with any remaining manifestations.

bookwormde

 

[Belle1962]

We have also had the experience of having to wait longer when using the GAC. After one trip where it happened too many times (I kept hearing--why are all these people in front of us? It will take forever. This is the wrong spot, how much longer? Why do they get to go in front of us--because the standby line can often be seen and sometimes many many many of them get through before you. The WORST was when people who were behind us would go on the ride ahead of us because they stayed in the mainstream line. If my DGS recognized them--OMG!!! EVERYONE knew we had "been in front of them") we decided that using fastpass for the consistency of the experience was better for us. It is easier for us if the experience is the same at every attraction. (Get in fastpass line, wait your turn, do the attraction). When he was younger a line was a line--he really didn't pay attention to fastpass vs standby.

Things DGS likes to do in line:
DS (number 1);
Pal Mickey games and talking--he is happy to hear the same joke five times a row (me not so much but hey)
I spy;
look at the park maps and plan where we are going next;
play with a calculator--give him numbers to add and let him do the punching and tell you the "answer";
call and talk to people on the phone (we save all our calls back home for line time--he can spend many many minutes telling mom exactly where he is standing, what he has done, what he is going to do, etc. );

and what has been a lifesaver for us;

a pad of paper and pencils; Tic tac toe; Hangman; the dot to dot make squares game; let him draw pictures or just scribble across the page; I never travel anywhere (even to a local restaurant) without a small notebook and pencil in my purse.