Adhd

[Belladonnadb]

Here is my question-both of my boys have ADHD although I do medicate for the school year I don't give them anything during their summer vacation. We are planning our first trip in August. I have heard that Disney possible allows them access to a different (shorter time span) line. I was wondering if any parent has had this experience. If so what do you need to give to Disney? I am not to sure what to do, I don't want the kids to make it unpleasant for other families but I surely don't want to medicate them and have them not experience Disney. Please help, I am really looking for some good feed back.

Thank you.

Dineen
bruce@rtonline.net

 

[Schmeck]

Disney offers a Guest Assistance Card, check the FAQs at the top of this forum for some great info about it. I do know that it's not meant to shorten any wait time, but may give you access to a quieter place to wait, etc.

 

[Hook's Girl]

Delurking again

Unfortunately, the Guest Assistance Card is not intended to shorten wait times. Guest Relations reccommends the use of Fastpasses to lessen wait times. There is an assitance card that allows guests to wait in a shaded area if that assistance is needed.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are various messages on the GAC (Guest Assistance Card) based on the needs of the person the card is issued to. The GAC information in the disABILITIES FAQS thread has the basic information.

I wondered about this line from your post:
"but I surely don't want to medicate them and have them not experience Disney."

I wonder why you think they would not experience Disney if they were medicated?

I have been to WDW with kids with ADHD; the last was my nephew last March. He was 13 and was in charge of taking his own medication. We could definately tell when he had not taken his medication. He was much more impatient, incessently chatty and impulsive. He noticed that he had a much better time on the days he did take his medication because he was able to attend much more to what was going on. He did not forget his medication after that. He said that without the medication his brain was just 'going all over' with all the things going around all over (he actually said it was going "bling - bling - bling" and kind of jumped his fingers around all over.) He did say that with the medication he could have more fun. Even with medication, we noticed that he was much more able to wait for things he wanted to see/go on than things he was not interested in.

There is a lot of stimulation all over at WDW. The waiting in line is just a small amount of what goes on at WDW and a GAC would not help with things like the general crowd level and waiting for things like the restroom or restaurants. It will be helpful to do things to minimize the amount of stimulation and crowds.
Using Fastpass is helpful. Getting to the parks as early as possible also helps a lot - many of the rides (especially in Fantasyland) that have long waits later in the day are just 'walk on' if you are at the parks in the first few hours. There are also things like Guidebooks and services, like Tourguide Mike (a Theme Parks Board sponsor) that can help you know what is busy and when, so you can plan to be where it's quieter and less crowded.

 

[gvpaul]

We took my 6 year old son with ADD/autism to Disney last year. With the information that I read in the "Unofficial Disney Guide", we had a doctors letter stating that he would have issues waiting with large crowds and waiting for a long time, and we actually used the wording from a sample letter that is in the book. On our first day, we went to the Guest Services area right inside the park and presented the letter. They gave us the pass for our entire stay with no problem. We were never questioned at any of the rides, and pretty much went through the fast pass at each location after showing the pass. I recommend getting a passholder that can be worn around your neck for easy access. This pass made a world of difference, because it was very hot and crowded. Although Disney was very overwhelming for him, we were able to experience some of the Disney Magic.

 

[SueM in MN]

With the information that I read in the "Unofficial Disney Guide", we had a doctors letter stating that he would have issues waiting with large crowds and waiting for a long time, and we actually used the wording from a sample letter that is in the book.

I just wanted to mention that having a letter is not a requirement and many times the CMs do not look at the letter. Even if you have a letter, you should be prepared that the CM will probably ask you to explain what needs your child has.

If you do choose to bring a letter, it should give specific information about the person's needs, not their diagnosis. Different people with the very same diagnosis often have very different needs. Because what is stamped on the GAC is based on needs, not all GACs have the same stamp and/or allow the same type of accomidation.

 

[LisaBi]

My oldest has ADHD. He is now 16 and not taking any meds, but when he was younger (9 - 12) I would not have dreamed of taking him to WDW without his meds - just way too much stimulation. A game boy to play with in line helped.

But now he hates WDW (says its for little kids) So I just go with my younger son (who has Downs - he's the reason I visit these boards). He LOVES WDW even more than I do!

 

[BionicEar]

My oldest has ADHD. He is now 16 and not taking any meds, but when he was younger (9 - 12) I would not have dreamed of taking him to WDW without his meds - just way too much stimulation. A game boy to play with in line helped.

But now he hates WDW (says its for little kids) So I just go with my younger son (who has Downs - he's the reason I visit these boards). He LOVES WDW even more than I do!

My severely ADHD son has been medicated for both our trips, and even when school is not in session, I wouldn't hestitate to medicate him for future trips. He functions much better while medicated because there is so much stimulation at WDW.

We do not get a GAC card for him, as he can handle waiting in line, and needs to learn to do so anyway. I don't expect any special preferential treatment for him just because of his ADHD and social development delays.

However, we do get a GAC card for me. I am deaf, and the card helps me in alerting the CMs to certain things that I will need - such as preferential seating during a show to receive captioning, etc. etc.

I never use the GAC for a shorter line wait. I personally feel that is for MAW families.