Children with autism at parks

[MDDisneyNewbies]

What you and I have seen on this thread is that most on here have had enough of the ones who think they deserve more because they have a disabled child. The OP that started this thread was there in line having to hear a dad complain because he did not get his way it was no way going against the child, Disney now has the DAS card and fast pass + and that is it and I think it is more than fair for all. As for the other you will just have to wait and see for yourself if we will be going in the center. From what I just read on these threads and see what's going on in this country I doubt it. Have a good day.

Who knew this thread was going political but I'll certainly take the bait. While I am an educator, my first love and education was in political science where I earned my BA. While you may wish or be hankering for things to be right of center in this country, it's just not so. We're center and if you want to hold onto that hope that we're not then you're not paying enough attention to politics on a national scale. I also have no clue how you can ascertain political leanings from a thread about autism unless you are relying upon stereotypes to glean your political "insight."

 

[Burnedout]

Lol love it when the passive aggressive throw out "have a good day" when they really mean "screw you"

Says the conservative without a disabled child who is happy to disney show kindness to those who have a harder road.

 

[MDDisneyNewbies]

Lol love it when the passive aggressive throw out "have a good day" when they really mean "screw you"

Says the conservative without a disabled child who is happy to disney show kindness to those who have a harder road.

 

[disneyguyla]

Who knew this thread was going political but I'll certainly take the bait. While I am an educator, my first love and education was in political science where I earned my BA. While you may wish or be hankering for things to be right of center in this country, it's just not so. We're center and if you want to hold onto that hope that we're not then you're not paying enough attention to politics on a national scale. I also have no clue how you can ascertain political leanings from a thread about autism unless you are relying upon stereotypes to glean your political "insight."[/


Let's just wait and see. As for the the political part of my statement , the threads referring to was not this one. But thanks for letting me know about your degree and being an educator. I also have a few of those degrees too but see no need to bring that up, but if that helps you go for it.

 

[twinboysmom]

Lol love it when the passive aggressive throw out "have a good day" when they really mean "screw you"

Says the conservative without a disabled child who is happy to disney show kindness to those who have a harder road.

The conservative who has two boys with autism says thank you very much for the compassion. Last time I checked, showing compassion and concern for disabled children had nothing to do with what political party someone supports. It's something we do as humans no matter if we lean red or blue. Being a jerk is also a characteristic you find of both sides of the political spectrum as well.

 

[MDDisneyNewbies]

[/QUOTE]Let's just wait and see. As for the the political part of my statement , the threads referring to was not this one. But thanks for letting me know about your degree and being an educator. I also have a few of those degrees too but see no need to bring that up, but if that helps you go for it.[/QUOTE]

Said the person that has been pretty condescending and even called out for being passive aggressive on this thread.

Whatever works for you but I do wonder where you're even coming from with all of this "insight" about the politics in this country (since you decided to bring it up as some "warning").

At any rate, your political "forecasting" has nothing really to do with this thread so I am going to get back on topic.

 

[Burnedout]

The conservative who has two boys with autism says thank you very much for the compassion. Last time I checked, showing compassion and concern for disabled children had nothing to do with what political party someone supports. It's something we do as humans no matter if we lean red or blue. Being a jerk is also a characteristic you find of both sides of the political spectrum as well.

. Exactly. No partisan.

 

[MDDisneyNewbies]

The conservative who has two boys with autism says thank you very much for the compassion. Last time I checked, showing compassion and concern for disabled children had nothing to do with what political party someone supports. It's something we do as humans no matter if we lean red or blue. Being a jerk is also a characteristic you find of both sides of the political spectrum as well.

And that thumbs up is definitely coming from a liberal who could not agree with you more (which is why I asked if the political "forecasting" was coming from stereotypes).

 

[disneyguyla]

Let's just wait and see. As for the the political part of my statement , the threads referring to was not this one. But thanks for letting me know about your degree and being an educator. I also have a few of those degrees too but see no need to bring that up, but if that helps you go for it.[/QUOTE] Said the person that has been pretty condescending and even called out for being passive aggressive on this thread. Whatever works for you but I do wonder where you're even coming from with all of this "insight" about the politics in this country (since you decided to bring it up as some "warning"). At any rate, your political "forecasting" has nothing really to do with this thread so I am going to get back on topic.[/QUOTE]

 

[disneyguyla]

Let's just wait and see. As for the the political part of my statement , the threads referring to was not this one. But thanks for letting me know about your degree and being an educator. I also have a few of those degrees too but see no need to bring that up, but if that helps you go for it.[/QUOTE] Said the person that has been pretty condescending and even called out for being passive aggressive on this thread. Whatever works for you but I do wonder where you're even coming from with all of this "insight" about the politics in this country (since you decided to bring it up as some "warning"). At any rate, your political "forecasting" has nothing really to do with this thread so I am going to get back on topic.[/QUOTE] Thanks for the debate , but in the end Disney has the DAS card and fast pass + now and all will have to get use to it because of the abuse of the GAC card. The political part , you will have to just wait and see. Have a good day.

 

[MDDisneyNewbies]

Thanks for the debate , but in the end Disney has the DAS card and fast pass + now and all will have to get use to it.

Maybe all will have to get used to it or maybe Disney will take feedback about the new system to make adjustments so it's more in line with the needs of their guests. Who knows but pretending like just because something is in place and you have to accept it as is isn't in line with my thinking in life. If something needs to be adjusted to fix the system then so be it but don't act like everyone just has to love changes because you think they're appropriate or fantastic. Such is life, I suppose.

 

[Burnedout]

Let's just wait and see. As for the the political part of my statement , the threads referring to was not this one. But thanks for letting me know about your degree and being an educator. I also have a few of those degrees too but see no need to bring that up, but if that helps you go for it.

Said the person that has been pretty condescending and even called out for being passive aggressive on this thread. Whatever works for you but I do wonder where you're even coming from with all of this "insight" about the politics in this country (since you decided to bring it up as some "warning"). At any rate, your political "forecasting" has nothing really to do with this thread so I am going to get back on topic.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

So you were actually wishing the that poster a good day? No sarcasm? My bad. Because most people when arguing don't mean it in a true and kindly way. Don't you think? Or have you not noticed that?

 

[disneyguyla]

Said the person that has been pretty condescending and even called out for being passive aggressive on this thread. Whatever works for you but I do wonder where you're even coming from with all of this "insight" about the politics in this country (since you decided to bring it up as some "warning"). At any rate, your political "forecasting" has nothing really to do with this thread so I am going to get back on topic.

[/QUOTE] So you were actually wishing the that poster a good day? No sarcasm? My bad. Because most people when arguing don't mean it in a true and kindly way. Don't you think? Or have you not noticed that?[/QUOTE]


Yes I did mean have a good day, even though me and the OP did not agree, I do not take it personally at the end of the day what his or her opinion is to my statements. Just like I have a right to say what I say, they also should have that same right. It's good healthy debate.

 

[ladyjubilee]

Again I think the core disagreement is on who people with autism spectrum disorders need. Some feel that an accommodation works for everyone based with a single diagnosis. The 1 in 66 number, for instance being used to say that the accommodation of "front of the line" (which never existed anyway) would overwhelm the system and cause delays to everyone else.

Thing is, though, ads includes a number of issues. Some under the umbrella do not need any accommodation. Many of these folks can work, go to school, walk by alone down a street etc. And they are part of the 1 in 66 number.

Others may need some support, but with support can function. The are folks that as kids might be educated in a regular school classroom.

Another set need even more support and is not as likely to be able to work independently or walk down the store unsupervised. As children, they might be at a regular school, but in a classroom with other children like them.

Then there are the people that just plain aren't going to be in a regular school or work... or go down the street alone..... and the ones that are homebound because even a separate school is too much.

Less than 25% of children with autism are nonverbal.... less than 25% of children affected by autism are hyper-lexic.

About 17% of children in the low functioning side of autism have epilepsy. Some have visual, mobility, and hearing limitations.

So how could one strategy answer all of the needs?

Also doing the math 1of 66...take only the 25% fall in a range to need accommodation... subtract out the portion of the 25% that due to the severity never go to a public park let alone an amusement park... and just how many people cause everyone to be so scared that an autistic kid might get on a ride before they do?

Finally on the dad... I know that even under the old system we encountered some problems. CMs giving us conflicting information, going where we were told to go, then being told no, go back, do this, oh not this, that.... then add my Stinker doing his thing.... which involves screaming, kicking, biting, pinching, spitting... on our first trip a CM thought I'd been assault and went to call security..... and oh yeah, its embarrassing.

So dad may have just been totally overwhelmed, frustrated and at the end of his rope. But that doesn't mean his child shouldn't go to the park.

 

[teacup princess]

I understood what you were saying OP. I would be bothered by the rude behavior of he dad, especially if it just seemed like he was trying to get something out of Disney. I don't think autistic kids should be excluded from Disney but I do think that if you have an autistic child or anyone in your group with a disability then it's the groups responsibility to adjust their vacation style and or expectations to accommodate the family member with the disability, it's not every one else's responsibility. When I go to Disney and see a ride with a 2 hour wait and I don't think my kids or my elderly parents if I'm traveling with them can handle the wait, you know what, I don't ride it. It sucks especially when it's a popular ride like Soarin or Toy Story but that's the reality of the abilities of my group. And sadly, the number of disabled Americans is rising for many reasons. Disney can't provide a trouble-free vacation for everyone. Pretty soon the numbers of DAS cards will overload the system. There is a breaking point. If my average family is expected to be inconvenienced by longer waits while a family with a disability is swept to the front of the line, I will soon decide to spend my vacation dollars elsewhere.

 

[trishy]

This thread has me so bothered that I needed to jump in. I used to be one of those people who looked at a screaming fussy child and think "What a spoiled brat!" Well, my life has changed and now I have a grandson who is autistic. Wonderful as he is in his own way and world, we have discovered that he can't wait in a line of people. Disney is highly themed and is beautiful and wonderful and magical and all of that. I want my grandson to see it and experience it all but I know he has limitations. We get the guest assistance pass because we have tried numerous times to go the normal route - doesn't work. He does enjoy the ride but the sea of people, talking, laughing, just enjoying their day, can be so overwhelming to our little guy. The pass does NOT give us front of line access. We have to wait the designated time on the ride (45 min wait, 60 min wait, etc) and then go at that time to the disability exit. We only enabled it for the 4 of us but usually only 1 of us goes with him. I get upset at people thinking it's some front of line vip pass thing. We are waiting, but waiting outside of the line in a calmer environment for our grandson. I'm glad Disney has been accommodating for our little sweetheart.

 

[Gracie09]

This thread has me so bothered that I needed to jump in. I used to be one of those people who looked at a screaming fussy child and think "What a spoiled brat!" Well, my life has changed and now I have a grandson who is autistic. Wonderful as he is in his own way and world, we have discovered that he can't wait in a line of people. Disney is highly themed and is beautiful and wonderful and magical and all of that. I want my grandson to see it and experience it all but I know he has limitations. We get the guest assistance pass because we have tried numerous times to go the normal route - doesn't work. He does enjoy the ride but the sea of people, talking, laughing, just enjoying their day, can be so overwhelming to our little guy. The pass does NOT give us front of line access. We have to wait the designated time on the ride (45 min wait, 60 min wait, etc) and then go at that time to the disability exit. We only enabled it for the 4 of us but usually only 1 of us goes with him. I get upset at people thinking it's some front of line vip pass thing. We are waiting, but waiting outside of the line in a calmer environment for our grandson. I'm glad Disney has been accommodating for our little sweetheart.

Just an FYI in case you didn't know, the new das is different than the old gac. The old gac was treated as unlimited fast pass. So you if the line was two hours and you had a gac you could go right to the fast pass line. So essentially as front of the line as you can get. Disney did away with this program because so many people used it it was becoming unworkable. The new das is when they give you a return time and you can wait anywhere you would like for your return time to come due and then you go to the fp line.

 

[Suzie13]

So lets get this straight. You come onto this thread to attack the father of a autistic child who you cowardly didn't speak up to so you could moan to all of us And then you label all autistic kids the same. First off they aren't. Some don't mind sensory things. My little brother is autistic but he is also a individual human being like me and you. We aren't the same and he isn't like every other autistic kid. It's not your place to tell anyone how to raise their kids or where to take them. You don't have to live with autistic kids. The tears, the littlest thing setting them off and then the days where he is okay and really good and can cope better that you forget he's autistic. Also my little brother acts very different with everyone therefore you may be getting the good side of those kids. I would have actually felt better If you told had went up to the father but no you're a keyboard warrior. Please next time actually go and speak to the father and stop spreading. Also how do you know if Disney is good with disabilities since I assume you never went this time with a disabled person. Everyone should be able to enjoy Disney. It's a place for everyone and that's what Disney wants to promote. Also what if the family has other children who aren't autistic want to go to Disney world. Should all of that family never go to Disney world because of one child. Also most holiday spots have alot of sensory things in them so almost any place could set them off just by the fact is isn't Thier own home and is a different routine. What do you suggest. That families with a autistic member in the family should just stay at home so they don't upset the rest of the world??? Give it break.

 

[Coonhound]

Current statistics show 1 in 66 children are autistic. If 1 in every 66 families going through FP are going through because of an unseen disability -- so what?

It SUCKS to go to Guest a Relations and have to explain how my son is different. I cry EVERY time I go there. It hurts to have to ask for help.

To those of you that do not have a special needs child, you should be forever grateful for what you do have rather than judging me for a little bit extra our family gets. Try walking a mile in my shoes before you judge me.

I would be THRILLED if we could stand in lines as a family.

It is inappropriate and unrealistic to expect that anyone should cut to the front of the line.
Also, disneys accommodations are not meant to make up for a difficult life- they are only meant to help during time in the parks- no one deserves to be ushered past waiting people because their life is hard. And I'm saying this as someone very closely tied to a special needs child.

 

[Coonhound]

Wow. Ok, I will bite. First of all, you do not have a child with autism or with other special needs so you have no clue what it is like navigating the parks with a disabled individual. So we parents with a child or in my case children with ASD get to play the "A"card for a few days and get some special treatment. I would give it up in a heartbeat so my children could enjoy wdw as "normal" kids. I would take the lines and all. Heck, I would never go back to wdw again if I could take away their disability.

So those few extra rides we don't have to wait quite as long for are causing an issue with your trip because YOU didn't enjoy waiting either? I would love to be able to wait in the line and just complain about my tired feet, how hot it is, and why is it taking so long. Unfortunately for those children who have a neurological disorder such as ASD it isn't always so easy. I would love to go to wdw and worry about what character meal we are eating what day and which morning works better for my boys to go get dressed up as a pirate at the pirate league. Nope, they can't handle doing those things because of their condition. We can't do fireworks, fantasmic, or wait and see a parade. Heck, we can't even watch a parade. But tell me again how those few extra rides we wait a little less are affecting you?

Children with ASD and other special needs are just kids. They enjoy many of the same things other kids enjoy, disneyworld being one of them. Sometimes they just need a quieter place to wait or a shorter line. I doubt too many others want to wait in line with a child with ASD having a meltdown (since you obviously aren't familiar with ASD it is not the same as a tantrum). So offering up a few accommodations for those with special needs isn't warranted in your opinion (despite it being the law). Just remember Karma has an ugly way of rearing her head when you least expect it.

Accommodations are absolutely warranted but they must be reasonable, meaning they must provide access, not excess. Disney is under no obligation to allow other to cut in line ahead of those who are patiently waiting. What Disney now offers is EQUAL ACCESS under the LAW. If your child is unable to handle disney even with these accommodations, then perhaps disney just isn't for your family.