DAS changes coming WDW May 20/ DL June 18, 2024

[ccahpp25]

Could you give it a try without and when it doesn't work, head to guest services and explain what you've tried and how your DS reacts? I feel for you...I honestly think it's luck of the draw on the CM you get, sadly.

That's our plan, at this point, along with all of our usual tricks (stroller as a wheelchair to prevent elopement and giving him a set "space" that's his, noise-cancelling headphones, his tablet, etc.). He got kicked out of his daycare last month after a particularly rough couple of weeks with daily meltdowns, so I think a lot of my anxiety is being fueled by leftover panic from that situation.

 

[kylenne]

No, we can't, we Disney on a budget and our "extras" budget actually just had to go to putting a new roof on our house It is what it is, it's way too late to cancel at this point and we'll do what we can, I was just really wanting to see if this was a normal experience.

I can’t speak to advocating for a child, but for myself as an ADHD adult I was never asked about a diagnosis, the CM I got was just sort of straightforward and asked me about any accommodations I get at work, how I cope in lines otherwise, etc which I was able to explain and I was approved.

I have heard similar horror stories to yours though from others. It really does seem to be luck of the draw depending on the CM you get and a number of them seem to be grossly ableist. (Wait till that one finds out how many of us are co-morbid!) My AP is up for renewal next week and it honestly makes me scared that I won’t qualify a second time.

 

[VAtink]

It really does seem to be luck of the draw depending on the CM you get and a number of them seem to be grossly ableist.

This is unfortunately so true. We've gotten DAS since the changes, but were denied for the first time in June since we didn't have an autism diagnosis and were told unless we had a diagnosis they couldn't give us DAS. Never had been asked for a diagnosis prior to that call, but since then we've tried again after the accommodations didn't work for us on our June trip, and once again were told we had to have an autism diagnosis to qualify. I wonder if they made a note on our file to just keep saying that since the most recent CM asked about real life examples and agreed DAS would benefit us, but still ran with the we need an autism diagnosis to qualify line. At least the most recent CM seemed genuinely sorry she couldn't give it to us.

 

[lovethattink]

That's our plan, at this point, along with all of our usual tricks (stroller as a wheelchair to prevent elopement and giving him a set "space" that's his, noise-cancelling headphones, his tablet, etc.). He got kicked out of his daycare last month after a particularly rough couple of weeks with daily meltdowns, so I think a lot of my anxiety is being fueled by leftover panic from that situation.

When I said a diagnosis, they told me they aren’t supposed to know one. So that is very unusual the CM gave you one.

My son is an adult and has DAS. But every now and then my husband and I go to parks without him so we’re in the standby lines. I’ve noticed so many meltdowns in standby.

My advice as a parent who’s been there, done that when my child was young, is to let your child stim in line. We never worried about what others think. It’s much better to have a noisy/moving around placated child than one who is having a meltdown. We’d bring a bag of new stim toys. We were super watchful not to lose any or his day could be ruined. Which is why I brought new toys rather than old favorites.

Allow unlimited screen time in queue if need be.

Sometimes noise cancelling ear plugs were needed along with headphones, but it’s super uncomfortable. Couple times we had to stop at first aid to get eat plugs, but that was often hit or miss.

Bathroom breaks before getting in line.

With pushing a stroller, it’s often hard to see your child’s face which is usually where the first signs of a possible meltdown can be seen. Happened a couple times when he was little where a meltdown could have been avoided if I were watching his face and noticed he was irritated.

And mine always wore sun glasses in queue too. He still does sometimes.