DAS and MS?

[Schmeck]

Exactly! I am not an Autism expert, but I really don't see the difference between someone having a meltdown in line due to Autism and someone having a meltdown in line due to a panic attack? If this lady does not qualify, just who without Autism does?

It's not based on diagnosis. It's based on need of accommodation. Avoiding crowds is near impossible in a crowded theme park.

 

[infopurposesonly]

I was thinking that they would have to go find an uncrowded area - and there's no guarantee that there will be one, KWIM? If you have to avoid crowds, then where would you suggest someone go? There are crowded restaurants, crowded shops, people are reporting about crowds all around the FP queue area. I'm just wondering where they will go when there are no uncrowded places?

We avoid crowded restaurants by eating early or late. I've never found the shops to be so crowded that I felt "closed in." There have been threads here where people have suggested quieter places to rest. We're rarely in the parks at night, but if we are we avoid leaving after the fireworks. My daughter has had a GAC in the past and will have a DAS on our upcoming trip. With these strategies it's really not that difficult to avoid crowds.

 

[bedogged]

It's not based on diagnosis. It's based on need of accommodation. Avoiding crowds is near impossible in a crowded theme park.[/QUOTE

As any sufferer can tell you, there is a very big difference between being in a crowd in an open space and being confined to a line or small space. With Anxiety/Panic Disorder, it's all about the sufferer's perception of what is happening, not necessarily the reality. I still don't see the difference between the needs of someone with Autism and someone with Anxiety/Panic issues? How would their "need of accommodation" be different? Neither can wait in long lines.

 

[SueM in MN]

Closing because this is greeting to be an arguement.

1) the diagnosis that leads to a need is not important. The need itself is.

2) guests who have disability related needs that involve waiting in lines need to explain their needs to CMs in Guest Relations.

3) most guests using mobility devices (wheelchairs, ECVs) will not need to use DAS because their need is visible. Guests using mobility devices who feel they have line related needs will need to explain their other needs to CMs at Guest Relations.

4) not all lines/attractions are the same, so there may be some that are not a problem and others that are.

5) in the case of crowds, close places, 'panic triggers' , those same things will be present outside of lines, where DAS will not be used. So, guests need to plan for what they will do/how they will handle outside of attractions also.