Das card with 9 year old ASD

[kim magee]

Hi, we have a 9 year old daughter who has ASD, ADHD and Tourettes syndrome, i think her ASD is fairly high functioning, but i dont have anything to compare to, and we were only diagnosed a year ago, i wanted to try get a DAS card for her as she is very aware of her differences and self conscious about her tics and her inability to stand still, she has what i consider a meltdown, but its not a tantrum, she goes quite and withdraws and then she will start to scratch and be very itchy and hot and twist her hands and arms, often straining muscles in her arms and shoulders, which she also wont admit she has done, this happens when she is overwhelmed, but you never know what is causing it as she wont tell you, she wont let you hug her or comfort her, eventually it breaks my heart to see her like that and i get teary which just adds to her stuff she has to deal with, i try to be the calm in the storm, but im a very emotion person and can already picture myself getting emotional explaining her situation to a CM. she has a lot of sensory issues with the feel of things, light, noise and smells is a big bother for her, she is on medication but its mostly to help her concentrate at school,

and in the last few months her twin sister has started with severe anxiety, and her Dr thinks she might be ASD as well, but we are seeing a psych first as it may just be anxiety, so far the psych sees OCD with her

anyway i know they wont even look at the diagnosis from a Dr and im thinking its not obvious looking at her for short periods of time, im wondering will they let me really explain her needs ro will they rush and just look at her and fob us off as she seems ok.

 

[lanejudy]

to the DISboards and the disABILITIES Forum!

You are correct that there is no need to bring documentation from a doctor. What you should think about is each girl's needs as related to waiting in a standard queue environment. Have you been to a zoo, amusement park, local fair or festival lately to draw on those experiences? The DAS will only provide an opportunity to wait outside the queue, and there is a lot of sensory stimulation outside of the queues just walking around the parks, shopping, dining, watching shows and parades. So you'll want to have plans for those situations.

Here is more information about DAS. You really only need to read the first (long) post but can skip the rest of the (extremely long) discussion which occurred around the time the program was initiated. https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...15-digital-das-on-tickets-magicbands.3178976/

If it helps any, feel free to write a list of needs. Brief bullet points are best. You can share this list with the CM at Guest Relations instead of speaking about it all, though be prepared to answer questions if needed. But that might help you to remain calm. And your DDs can stand off to the side (will you have another adult?) and only call them over to the counter after your initial conversation with the CM.

Enjoy your vacation!

(I'm moving this from the more general disABILITIES Community board to the main disABILITIES Forum for trip planning advice -- it will get more attention there.)

 

[kim magee]

Thanks so much, i wish they would look at letters from Drs as i feel so awkward thinking she looks fine and they are going to think i am full of it,
for Faith the big issue will be standing in one place for periods of time where people might notice her tics or her tapping foot or her rocking etc, she hates that she is different, she really broke down last week in a sobbing mess saying she worries that her tics and ADHD habits will annoy people or that it will keep Keira awake at night and that she will never be like everyone else and that people wont like her because she is weird, she copes with most sensory stuff most the time, she had to as we are always out and doing things and travelling, and we didnt understand her at all until about a year ago, we picked that she likely had adhd as she was a hyperactive, well behaved but crazy happy kid and at times just found her really hard to please and frustrating, what an awful realization it is when you realize she had so much more going on, but once she turned 8 her tourettes started and everything came with it, it was like a switch was turned on and bang our happy crazy kid fell apart in front of us. With her distraction is key, finding things to do, keeping moving. so far Keira isnt a problem, her anxiety is fine as long as mum is with her

 

[Aladora]

Thanks so much, i wish they would look at letters from Drs as i feel so awkward thinking she looks fine and they are going to think i am full of it,
for Faith the big issue will be standing in one place for periods of time where people might notice her tics or her tapping foot or her rocking etc, she hates that she is different, she really broke down last week in a sobbing mess saying she worries that her tics and ADHD habits will annoy people or that it will keep Keira awake at night and that she will never be like everyone else and that people wont like her because she is weird, she copes with most sensory stuff most the time, she had to as we are always out and doing things and travelling, and we didnt understand her at all until about a year ago, we picked that she likely had adhd as she was a hyperactive, well behaved but crazy happy kid and at times just found her really hard to please and frustrating, what an awful realization it is when you realize she had so much more going on, but once she turned 8 her tourettes started and everything came with it, it was like a switch was turned on and bang our happy crazy kid fell apart in front of us. With her distraction is key, finding things to do, keeping moving. so far Keira isnt a problem, her anxiety is fine as long as mum is with her

I have an 11 year old who is autistic so I know how hard it can be and I understand why a note from her doctor might make it easier for you but unfortunately they just won't read them.

The best thing to do is for you to sit down and think about what issues your daughter is likely to have related to her waiting in a line at Disney and how having her wait out her time somewhere else would help. My son tends to get overwhelmed with crowds but is happy enough to sit on a bench or on the ground and wait, as long as he is not surrounded by lots of people. (Out of 11 Disney trips we have watched the fireworks in the park exactly once because of this issue) So, for my son, waiting in a traditional line is really hard, not because of the waiting but because of the people so a DAS works well for us. All the CM wants to know is just that, what problems does your daughter have waiting in a regular line and how can waiting outside that line help alleviate those issues.

As for finding things for her to do to keep her distracted, have you looked at getting her a fidget cube? I can see something like this being really helpful for her. If she is the kind of kid who likes to play on a hand-held gaming device such as a Nintendo DS or on a cell phone, then bring it! Don't worry about what others might think of say to you, just remember that you are never going to see those people ever again and at the end of the day, it does not matter what they think.

Edited to add: I just saw that you are from Australia, what things are you going to do to keep her distracted on the long flight? Those same things might help in the parks as well.

 

[gap2368]

I would before you go in write down her needs on a pice of paper in your words ( have then short to the point so there is not a lot of reading the CM has to do) when you go to GR tell the CM that you have a problem saying your Childs needs but wrote it down. The CM may ask you a few question.

a few things that you can do to maybe help your DD

if she is small enough a stroller as a wheel chair might be a good safe place for her,

ear protectores like these work good https://www.amazon.com/Snug-Sound-E...05&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=ear+protectors&psc=1

my last visit I bought a cooling towel at Disney and would put it over my head this not only kept me cool but blocked out the side visuals that I have a hard time with. ( I can not find it on the website to show you but I got mine at the MK on the left right before you go under the tunnel

and maybe look into getting a fidget toy like this one might help too https://www.amazon.com/CHIRISEN-Rel...F8&qid=1494514941&sr=8-4&keywords=fidget+cube

 

[kim magee]

On planes she has her tablet, but its a 10 inch and we dont normal let her take it places she isnt sitting still, we will have her DS and she has a fidget cube, fidget spinner and a few other squishy things, balls, plus she loves the tv in the headset with the games on planes, plus we have bought a few things for her chewing sensory issues, but she wont use a lot of it in public as she thinks she stands out using them, she was chewing holes the size of tennis balls in her PJ tops and hiding them until i found them as i was noticing they had very few PJs suddenly, being twins they share clothes, so she wrecked a few pair before i woke up, so at least at home we have had some luck, but she wont use stuff in public and she wont chew anything except her nails and fingers til they bleed

 

[kim magee]

with stroller we have a baby and a 3 year old already, but i dont think she would agree to a stroller anyway as it draws attention to her differences, she wants to look like everyone else, i even bought some disney tops for the trip and she freaked and said no way in not a little kid, and i showed her videos of how many people her age and adults wear mickey shirts etc at disney and i think she is now ok with them, the cooling towel sounds like a great idea as thats also her first sign of not coping getting overly hot and itchy, thanks everyone.

 

[kim magee]

Our plan of attack was to get there at rope drop and do the must do rides until it gets crowded or lines get bigger, booking fastpasses from about 10.30 as thats when i expect lines to be too much for her, then find somewhere quite for some lunch, do any fastpasses that are left and then any small line rides like stitch that rarely get long waits and just see how we go, she wants to see the night time shows, i thought we might try leaving early in the arvo and coming back for the show and using a Fastpass for the MK fireworks as ive seen that doesht get crowded usually and sitting up the back row for the shows so everyone is looking away from her mostly, but we have 5 kids, our twins and 3 siblings in our permanent care who have never been to Disney before, so i dont want them to miss out, WDW is a weeks stop on route to seeing hubbys family in scotland, we are breaking up the flight with a 2 day stop in Hawaii and then a week at WDW as i cant fly 30 hours direct to scotland with 5 kids, issues or no issues

 

[kim magee]

thanks for all the advice im so new to this new journey my girls have started on, im learning and know so little, but im reading and doing related courses as i find them to help them and me cope

 

[gap2368]

Our plan of attack was to get there at rope drop and do the must do rides until it gets crowded or lines get bigger, booking fastpasses from about 10.30 as thats when i expect lines to be too much for her, then find somewhere quite for some lunch, do any fastpasses that are left and then any small line rides like stitch that rarely get long waits and just see how we go, she wants to see the night time shows, i thought we might try leaving early in the arvo and coming back for the show and using a Fastpass for the MK fireworks as ive seen that doesht get crowded usually and sitting up the back row for the shows so everyone is looking away from her mostly, but we have 5 kids, our twins and 3 siblings in our permanent care who have never been to Disney before, so i dont want them to miss out, WDW is a weeks stop on route to seeing hubbys family in scotland, we are breaking up the flight with a 2 day stop in Hawaii and then a week at WDW as i cant fly 30 hours direct to scotland with 5 kids, issues or no issues

There is no longer FP for wishes. But the dessert part is great and not crowded either.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Only thing I have to add to what others have said its sunglasses help my son. Especially inside where they really mute the stimuli

 

[DisneyOma]

with stroller we have a baby and a 3 year old already, but i dont think she would agree to a stroller anyway as it draws attention to her differences, she wants to look like everyone else, i even bought some disney tops for the trip and she freaked and said no way in not a little kid, and i showed her videos of how many people her age and adults wear mickey shirts etc at disney and i think she is now ok with them, the cooling towel sounds like a great idea as thats also her first sign of not coping getting overly hot and itchy, thanks everyone.

Rent a stroller at the parks - a double if you want - and she won't be the only 'big kid' in a stroller, that's for sure! Lots of older kids are in strollers down there, for a variety of reasons.

 

[Hoodie]

When we first went, my son refused to be in a stroller until he saw other older kids in them. You can always play it by ear as well and rent a Disney stroller (the double worked great as it's a bench seat) if she needs a break from the crowds. Also, be aware that some of the interactive lines which most kids LOVE can be a bit much for our kiddos. My son gets antsy in line, but it was the interactive aspect of some (Toy Story Mania, Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh) that sort of pushed him over the edge. Other helpful things:

-Earmuffs. Again, a lot of kids wear them so she may initially object but after she sees some kids with them she may be OK with it. We actually have a pair for each child, even the non-ASD one because some of the shows and parades can be loud. He actually wears them more than the ASD child. They don't need to be noise-cancelling, just enough to cancel out some of the background noise.
-Do you have chewelry? They come as necklaces and bracelets so inconspicuous, but would give something for her chewing. My son will wear his necklace under his shirt so that people don't even see it most of the time. https://www.arktherapeutic.com/chewelry/?gclid=CObnjNao6tMCFZiKswodBtIAEg

 

[Smittolis]

As a parent and teacher of ASD students I can safely say that if you use the DAS card properly and plan out your time it will be a great visit. The DAS is especially useful for ASD given the sheer nature of their behavioral traits when 'waiting in line'. I use ours as per Disney's protocols and it prevents us from having to sit / stand / walk in a line that is designed to stimulate children while they wait.

Be an advocate for your child, never be embarrassed about it nor worry about what others 'think' of you, they do not walk in your shoes. This is Disney and you are making a lot of sacrifices, both time and financial, to make it work and so focus on your family and their enjoyment. There is no 'stigma' about getting a DAS, there is no need to feel guilty about getting one, everyone's needs are different and as such you will find the vast majority of people are understanding. Those who are not? Well it doesn't really matter does it lol

Have fun, love and look after your family and make some awesome memories! Those that wish to judge from afar, let them, its a reflection of their own inadequacies as opposed to your own.

 

[DisneyOma]

This is Disney and you are making a lot of sacrifices, both time and financial, to make it work and so focus on your family and their enjoyment.

Sacrifices?

 

[gap2368]

Sacrifices?

yes it coast a lot of money to go to Disney and the OP should not feel bad about using a tool to help make a vacation more enjoyable for there child.

 

[DisneyOma]

yes it coast a lot of money to go to Disney and the OP should not feel bad about using a tool to help make a vacation more enjoyable for there child.

That's a choice, not a sacrifice. Not understanding why the poster used the term sacrifice, as it is always a choice to go. Of course they should apply for a DAS, and why would someone feel bad about using it if they qualify for it?

 

[Gracie09]

Second chewlery. Dd has a bunch as she chews everything. She actually chews her fingers until they bleed. She has some bead ones and pendant ones and loves them. Also gum. You can't buy it at wdw but you can chew it.

 

[kim magee]

There is no longer FP for wishes. But the dessert part is great and not crowded either.

oh bugger ouch looked at the cost for 2 adults and 5 kids for the dessert party, but i think it would be great for all of us, just another thing i wont tell hunny the price of lol

 

[kim magee]

Sacrifices?

yes the costs, over $18000 for our airfares alone, then close to $10,000 for the weeks package at wdw, plus spending etc and we are a single income middle class family, but to be fair we arent just going to WDW our flights are stopping briefly in hawaii, London and LA as well to break up the LONG flight to London from Sydney