Autism worth mentioning?

[wbbrown36]

My son has autism and a metabolic disorder that, among other things, makes him tire easily and experience muscle pain with exertion.
We are seeing a professional to work on autism stuff this week and then going to Disney World next week. The professional told me that we should tell them that my son has autism.

First, we won't be able to get a doctor's note as we are already half way to Florida/not at home. Do I need a note for proof?

Second, what type of help would they give typically for autism and stamina issues? I'm wondering if it is worth trying to ask for help or not.

 

[mechurchlady]

YOU DO NOT NEED A LETTER. That is what Sue said and that is it. 99% of all CMs do not want a letter and it does not help. They need to know what is the limititations. Go to Guest Services and explain what his limitations are such as not being able to do stairs, vision problems, and hearing problems.

"I cannot stand in line more than 10 minutes"
CM responds with telling them to rent a wheelchair or ECV.

They will tell you to use a wheelchair or "stroller as a wheelchair" Disney accomodates the disabled but will not go out of their way for stamina issues. The GAC merely tells a CM what hidden disabilities a person has. It often means waiting in line the same or more minutes than fast pass, single rider or standby lines. Often like in Bug Live theater there are no chairs and only a few nooks along the wall to half sit. At Disneyland there is no place to sit and you have to walk way way around to get on the ride, I am tired so my memory is on strike for WDW. A GAC for the Safari will mean a long long long walk with no place to set for a spell and if you do get to set then the line moves and you get up which is harder than standing in line.

With the "stroller as a wheelchair" you could take the kid all the way through most lines like Toy Story Mania. If you have that tag then you do not need the GAC unless he has hidden disabilites that would need to further be addressed like vision and hearing problems. The GAC is only for hidden disabilities. Using a stroller helps autistic kids have a quiet haven from crowds. If the kid gets tired then there is the baby center and the first aid station where naps can happen in quiet. If you use a stroller that is designated as use on busses then you would not have to fold the stroller and could leave the kid in it BUT it has to meet a certain federal guideline. All other strollers must be folded on busses, trams, and any ground transportation.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. I would suggest starting with Post #6 of the FAQ.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

You might want to read several of the threads in this forum that are related to autism. Also, you might find it useful to go to the Sub-Forum, disABILITIES Community Board for more discussions, but those may not be related directly to WDW. To get to the SubForum, go to the disABILITIES Index Page and it will be in a block by itself near the top.

 

[bookwormde]

After you have read the reference stickies you might consider the following.

You may have 2 different special needs, 1 for the potential need for a stroller (as a wheel chair) or a wheel chair for the stamina issues and a GAC for specific Autism issues your child might have with the lines.
You know your child best so just describe to the CM at guest services and they are pretty good at applying the proper marking.

Have fun and welcome to the disabilities board.

bookwormde

 

[SueM in MN]

If you look in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will find information about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs).
GACs are card that give the Cast Members a little bit of information to help meet your needs. You do not need a letter from the doctor to request a GAC; all you need is to be able to explain your needs.
In that post, there is information about using a stroller as a wheelchair, which sounds like it would be very helpful to you.

In post #3 of that thread, there are also some links to past threads with information about touring WDW with autism.

The disABILITIES FAQs thread is near the top of the thread list for this board, or you can follow the link in my signature to get there.

EDITED TO ADD: I started posting before anyone else replied, but then I got interrupted and by the time I posted, there were 3 other replies.

 

[wbbrown36]

Thank you all.
I'm glad I asked here; using the stroller as if it were a wheelchair will help more than anything else. And now that I know I don't need a letter I'm more likely to as for a GAC. Thanks!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We are from England and always bring our own stoller, though now our son is older we have a child's wheelchair.

He is mobile so we use just around the parks as he has difficulty walking long distances.

The comforting thing about this forum is there are many in a similar situation so you can get good advice.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Hi! and Welcome!!!! For our two interesting and neuro-complex kids, We absolutely make a trip to guest services on arrival to explain their issues, concerns, needs, disabilities, etc. For instance, some of DD's meds make her very sensitive to sunlight, so we require a shaded queue area, plus, the stroller as w/c is a godsend, not only for stamina issues (although it really, really helps) but also to provide a "safe space" and a little reduced stim when nearing a meltdown, etc. We also make use of alternate entrance when the queue is very crowded, tight and dark, and make really good use of fastpass and a good touring plan (even though you're not home, if you have internet access it might be worth going to touringplans.com they have a lot of plans and the price is about $7). We keep to our usual schedule whenever humanly possible (which is pretty much everyday even on vacation- ya know, get up as usual, morning routine, meals at the same time, usual evening routine, etc.) Your kid may like having the route highlighted on a map that he can follow. I also make little "hip packs" of tools for my kids. I put in a chewy, a fidget, an Mp3 player w/ music they like, a penlight, earplugs, sunglasses, a hat, and a leapster (DS probably fits better, but my kids aren't quite ready for those yet.) The most important thing to remember is to take a deep breath, have a plan, be flexible, and enjoy being together. Let us know if you have anymore questions!
Nicole

 

[Emagine]

I am a tad different with the letters now then before I went. Yes they are not needed nor asked for but I already had one in hand before getting there and finding out one was not needed. You might want to see my post about Great Service for my Autistic son. I suspect it is different then what is promoted here but I took a letter as a just incase and the guy at Guest Services was actually very grateful. Perhaps I had someone with a kindness or something but it sure did help my situation.

We did get a GAC that met our needs. We were very lucky with our trip last week. I am not saying go get a letter but I am saying there are positive ppl in WDW who will help this vacation to be much smoother.

With the GAC we were able to get the help we needed. DS had it in a pouch around his neck like the Lanyards for Pins. The staff at WDW were wonderful and I could not have asked for a better week then he had and the smiles it proved.


Also should you need to get a stroller someone on here recommended OrlandoStrollerrentals . com and they were very helpful as well.