ASD and ADHD question about the DAS

[tiffu22]

So I just seen this topic about disabilities and think it is great. We will be going May 29 to June 5. My DS 10 has ASD and ADHD on meds and was wondering how we will handle the long waits. He is high functioning but can't stand still moves around, makes different movements. If we were able to get the DAS do we need a FP+. I'm trying to avoid the extra cost of the FP+ I was also thinking when we go to get the DAS i will not give DS his medication until after the decision. DD 9 also has ADHD should I bring her also will they look at both kids and take that into consideration?

 

[Gracie09]

Fp+ doesn't cost extra. Das doesn't get you on a ride faster, just let's you wait elsewhere for your turn to ride. You need to say why they can't wait in line. A diagnosis alone doesn't qualify for a das

 

[Maggie'sMom]

So I just seen this topic about disabilities and think it is great. We will be going May 29 to June 5. My DS 10 has ASD and ADHD on meds and was wondering how we will handle the long waits. He is high functioning but can't stand still moves around, makes different movements. If we were able to get the DAS do we need a FP+. I'm trying to avoid the extra cost of the FP+ I was also thinking when we go to get the DAS i will not give DS his medication until after the decision. DD 9 also has ADHD should I bring her also will they look at both kids and take that into consideration?

Why would you not give your DS his medication until after getting the DAS? There's no reason to make your or your DS's experience more difficult by waiting to give him his meds.

As mentioned, the diagnosis isn't important. What is important is being able to explain how his disability impacts his ability to wait in the standard line environment.

And yes, FP+ is free. The DAS works best when it is paired with FP+.

 

[lanejudy]

You might want to check out the WDW - Disability Access Service (DAS) thread pinned near the top of this forum. The first post has all the details about DAS at WDW (don't worry about all the rest of the pages).

DAS is not diagnosis-based, it is need-based. You will have to explain your son's needs related to waiting in a standard queue environment. You could probably help your son by sort of spreading out and allowing some space between him and the parties ahead/behind you, allowing him some freedom to move a bit. Even with a DAS you will spend time in lines.

As PP mentions, FP+ is free and available to all WDW guests. It is highly recommended to use DAS along with FP+.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Aladora]

So I just seen this topic about disabilities and think it is great. We will be going May 29 to June 5. My DS 10 has ASD and ADHD on meds and was wondering how we will handle the long waits. He is high functioning but can't stand still moves around, makes different movements. If we were able to get the DAS do we need a FP+. I'm trying to avoid the extra cost of the FP+ I was also thinking when we go to get the DAS i will not give DS his medication until after the decision. DD 9 also has ADHD should I bring her also will they look at both kids and take that into consideration?

Like the previous poster said, FP+ does not cost anything extra so don't worry about that.

I'm wondering about the part I bolded above...why would you withhold medication from your son?

I assume you didn't mean it the way it reads but I have to be honest and tell you that it sounds as though you are planning on purposely not giving your child medication he needs in order to make him seem as though he needs the DAS more than he really does. As well, if your daughter does not need a DAS, what would having her there add? Unless she can explain what needs her brother has that would be helped by him waiting outside the regular standby line then there really is no reason for them CM to take her into consideration.

I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt and believe that your OP was just poorly worded but between your desire to get the DAS so that you don't have to pay for FP+ and your plan to not medicate him, it sounds as though you are trying to get a DAS just to try and get faster access to rides.

I am sure you didn't mean for it to read that way, but to some it might.

 

[tiffu22]

I thought you had to pay for the FP+. The reason about the medication being held back (which is for ADHD and does not have to have) is he is a lot different when on meds around people he does not know, but as time goes by and has to wait and not stimulated he gets very frustrated. While on medication he does not eat and is not himself so if we could lower the dose it would be even better. And it does not last all day/night. About bringing DD with it will show how active he is around someone he is comfortable with and that she has some issues as well. And just so everyone knows I understand the DAS does not get you in faster, just so you don't have to wait in line. The kids might surprise me and we will not need it but if we do I would like to have it.

 

[lanejudy]

As mentioned, FP+ is free to anyone with a ticket to any of the WDW theme parks. There is no additional charge.

If your sons needs medication(s), I certainly would not recommend withholding meds for the purpose of making his issues "appear" worse. Many of us here are quite familiar with the conditions, the meds, as well as the side effects. We advocate setting up our children for success, rather than setting them up to fail or exacerbate their challenges.

Guest Relations will not need your daughter present to determine whether your son qualifies for a DAS; they will not take that into consideration at all. You or he will have to explain his needs as specifically related to waiting in a standard queue environment and why other options (allowing space for him to move, giving him his meds as prescribed, etc.) will work as accommodation.

Even with DAS, you will be in lines. The FP+ lines may be as long as 10-15 minutes, or if there is any delay with the ride the wait can be much longer. It would be beneficial to help your son with coping strategies for waiting in lines even if you do end up with a DAS.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You don't have to show how active your child is. All you need to do is explain that due to his disability he needs to wait somewhere other than the regular line. You don't have to withhold his medication or bring along your daughter just to provide proof that he has such needs. If both your children need to wait somewhere other than the regular queue I believe you will need a DAS for each of them.

The DAS does not work like the previous GAC which at times was used to give some parties who had one immediate access to the Fastpass entrances. DAS does not give your party faster access to attractions. You will still be waiting, but not in the regular queue.

If you want faster access to some attractions, you can get that by using FP+, which does not cost extra.

 

[2tinkerbell]

Disney makes it very clear that DAS return times should be used along with FP+ times. Using both in combination with each other makes sense. That way, before you even enter the parks, you are guaranteed 3 attractions a day.

You enter the park, get a DAS return time, visit your first FP+ attraction, visit your DAS return time attraction, get another DAS return time, visit your second FP+ attraction, visit your second DAS return time attraction, get another DAS return time, visit your 3rd FP+ attraction and then visit your 3rd DAS return time. Always have a DAS return time. If you break for lunch or have a hotel break, make sure you have a DAS return time. Remember the FP+ times expire, the DAS return times do not.

FP+ is free and you can make those either 60 or 30 days before you arrive. I always sit down with my DD before any trip and she decides on her "must dos." This way, I can make sure we hit the things that are important to her.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We use DAS in addition to FP +. They will give you a return time and when it's your time, you go through the FP line, so the wait can still be long depending on how backed up they are. So we do as the other person stated, two people go in front of DS, and two behind so we can give him room so the people behind don't get too close.

 

[Amanda999]

Just to be sure op understands: when your DAS time comes up (you get a return time equal to the standby time for the ride, sometimes less ten minutes, then come back at that time), you then go to the fp queu. So your son will need to wait through the fp line. For some rides even the fp line can take awhile.

I.e. A DAS return time is exactly the same experience as getting a fp+ for that ride (except you had to go to the ride first and get the return time.) Preselecting fp+ is much easier, I think. My DS has similar challenges. I take him alone usually, and I find it much easier to rely on our 3 preselected fp choices, and schedule them for right when the park opens. Even the fp lines are much shorter at the beginning of the day.