DAS for child with no specific diagnosis?

[MomtothreeEs]

My 5 year old son has autism. I assume we will be getting a DAS for him. My younger 2 year old son does not have autism, but he does receive OT services due to his sensory issues. Since he is so young and also has a speech delay (also receiving speech therapy for that), we have not pursued any kind of formal evaluation. We already have a lot of modifications put into place for our whole family because of DS1, but I've already come to terms with the fact that an SPD diagnosis is probably in our future. Anyway, I'm so worried about taking DS2 to events without a stroller. I think he would enjoy activities like the Turtle Talk with Crush and some of the shows, but he does NOT sit still for any length of time without being contained. And it's not just a typical 2 year old just wanting to see stuff, he freaks out loudly, throws things, scratches/bites us, runs away, etc. It's a major tantrum that is only resolved by removing him from the situation. He is so easily over stimulated. Unless he can be contained in a stroller, we don't take him anywhere that involves staying in one place. Even with the stroller, there's only a 50/50 chance he will tolerate it. However, I think he will love the rides. I suppose that's a positive about his sensory issues in that he loves to be spun around, upside down, and tossed around in general. LOL! I just don't know if we can get him to stand in line. If he's in a stroller and has a snack or toy, I think he'll be okay for a little bit, but it will be a struggle.

I'm honestly worrying more about my 2 year old than my 5 year old right now.

So, is that enough of a reason to get a DAS for DS2? I don't want to scam the system, but I feel like he has real issues even if they're not officially diagnosed. I suppose I could bring his OT evaluation?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

My 5 year old son has autism. I assume we will be getting a DAS for him. My younger 2 year old son does not have autism, but he does receive OT services due to his sensory issues. Since he is so young and also has a speech delay (also receiving speech therapy for that), we have not pursued any kind of formal evaluation. We already have a lot of modifications put into place for our whole family because of DS1, but I've already come to terms with the fact that an SPD diagnosis is probably in our future. Anyway, I'm so worried about taking DS2 to events without a stroller. I think he would enjoy activities like the Turtle Talk with Crush and some of the shows, but he does NOT sit still for any length of time without being contained. And it's not just a typical 2 year old just wanting to see stuff, he freaks out loudly, throws things, scratches/bites us, runs away, etc. It's a major tantrum that is only resolved by removing him from the situation. He is so easily over stimulated. Unless he can be contained in a stroller, we don't take him anywhere that involves staying in one place. Even with the stroller, there's only a 50/50 chance he will tolerate it. However, I think he will love the rides. I suppose that's a positive about his sensory issues in that he loves to be spun around, upside down, and tossed around in general. LOL! I just don't know if we can get him to stand in line. If he's in a stroller and has a snack or toy, I think he'll be okay for a little bit, but it will be a struggle.

I'm honestly worrying more about my 2 year old than my 5 year old right now.

So, is that enough of a reason to get a DAS for DS2? I don't want to scam the system, but I feel like he has real issues even if they're not officially diagnosed. I suppose I could bring his OT evaluation?

Diagnosis doesn't (or shouldn't, but that's another thread) matter when it comes to getting the DAS or not. You need to be able to explain his needs to Guest Services. What might work best for your younger son is the "stroller as a wheelchair" sticker which would allow you to take the stroller into lines.

 

[buffettgirl]

It doesn't sound like you need a DAS. It sounds like you just need a stroller as a wheelchair tag. Different thing entirely.
Since you'll already be using your other son's DAS to wait elsewhere, there would be no purpose in getting 2 DAS cards.

 

[GoofyG]

My DD7, is just like your youngest. She will be 8 this July and we are still taking a stroller and will have it tagged as a wheelchair. She is a flight risk and can escape from me so fast in a line it's scary. She knows the stroller is her safe place. I have to wait at the exit of the meet and greet in toy story mania and join the family when they get up there. Go to the baby station at times to have a cool down if you need to. I've gone to them and there is usually a tv and my DD can cool off and have less sensory in there.

I also get a DAS for my other child because we do separate.

 

[SueM in MN]

Not sure if you are going to WDW or DL, but I'm going to assume WDW.

If you have nor looked at the WDW DAS thread, I would suggest reading the first post' which is FAQs.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3178976

Getting a stroller as a wheelchair tag is totally separate from getting a DAS card. Some people may have both, but many children will just have the sticker that allows their stroller to be used as a wheelchair.
You don't need `proof' of a disability and CMs are not likely to look at it - besides that, an OT evaluation is not going to tell them what he needs. It doesn't relate to waiting in lines at WDW.

Also, keep in mind that many 2 year olds without any disability have tantrums, so you can use things other parents use to deal with tantrums.
Tantrums are often related to a child being either tired or over stimulated. Many kids take time to learn how to understand how to stop or calm themselves before they get to that point. So, if you can pick up some of his signs and get out of the situation before he 'erupts', it will help.
Tantrums are also communication - a child may not have the language to understand what you are doing next/transition. They also may not have the language to tell you what they want. This can get incredibly frustrating for everyone because the child knows what they want, but can't tell you.
This happens in children without disabilities too (they don't call them the terrible twos for no reason). Buy, kids without disabilities are usually going to get to the point of bring able to understand and communicate what they want faster.

Since he is receiving speech and OT, See if they can help you with social stories and also with dome calming techniques for him.

 

[bookwormde]

From your description of your 2yo and the family history of Autism genetics it if pretty safe to say that he has a qualifies under ADA.

If you believe that the DAS accommodations will more fully provide equal access then by all means ask for one, since if your 5yo in not part of the group using an accommodation then you cannot use his.

Part of why there is value in getting return times for all individuals in a party who have DASs so as not to loose the ability to split up if at the last minute one of you 2 children decides they do not want to go. remember the right is individual not communal except to the extent that keeping groups together (when they choose to) is considered part of equal accommodation.

 

[MomtothreeEs]

Thanks so much for all this information. I have a lot to figure out before we go in May. It was a very last minute decision for us. We have very different expectations for our experience from what most typical families anticipate. It's fine. Our kids will be blown away just by our hotel room and pool (AoA), so if that's where we spend most of our time so be it.

I did not realize a stroller as a wheelchair is different than the DAS. I have been reading up on the DAS for my oldest. I guess I will get a tag for both of my strollers? I will have a double and a single since we have a 5, 3, and 2 year old. We assume that we will have to separate the 2 year old from the older two a lot- he's just in a different developmental place.

Now that I know I can get a tag for the strollers without a DAS, I'm wondering if we will even need one for my 5 year old. Does it help with the interaction from the CMs? If the parks get too crowded or the lines are long, we will head back to our hotel. We don't really need help getting on rides or activities any faster- rides are very low on our priorities. I just hope people are gentle enough with him. His processing can get slow and he doesn't always communicate his thoughts/needs well. He might be scared to approach characters and attractions and need extra time to interpret the environment. DS1 loves parades and dance parties. Will a DAS help with those? We are hoping for figure out the FP+ system for our high priority activities.

I know 2 year olds are kind of nuts in general , but my little guy definitely has some special considerations.

Thanks for your help. I'll keep on reading and learning.

 

[lanejudy]

Thanks so much for all this information. I have a lot to figure out before we go in May. It was a very last minute decision for us. We have very different expectations for our experience from what most typical families anticipate. It's fine. Our kids will be blown away just by our hotel room and pool (AoA), so if that's where we spend most of our time so be it.

I did not realize a stroller as a wheelchair is different than the DAS. I have been reading up on the DAS for my oldest. I guess I will get a tag for both of my strollers? I will have a double and a single since we have a 5, 3, and 2 year old. We assume that we will have to separate the 2 year old from the older two a lot- he's just in a different developmental place.

Now that I know I can get a tag for the strollers without a DAS, I'm wondering if we will even need one for my 5 year old. Does it help with the interaction from the CMs? If the parks get too crowded or the lines are long, we will head back to our hotel. We don't really need help getting on rides or activities any faster- rides are very low on our priorities. I just hope people are gentle enough with him. His processing can get slow and he doesn't always communicate his thoughts/needs well. He might be scared to approach characters and attractions and need extra time to interpret the environment. DS1 loves parades and dance parties. Will a DAS help with those? We are hoping for figure out the FP+ system for our high priority activities.

I know 2 year olds are kind of nuts in general , but my little guy definitely has some special considerations.

Thanks for your help. I'll keep on reading and learning.

If both children will need stroller-as-wheelchair you should be able to get 2. However, you should probably be prepared to explain clearly the need for 2 and that you may split up the 2 children with the needs -- otherwise they may think 1tag for the double serves both kids.
DAS is only for rides/attractions. It has no benefit for parades, dining, transportation and such. In a nutshell, the DAS saves your place in line so you don't have to stand in it as long. It is only used at attractions with a FP+ entrance, which does not include most character meets. You might consider a character meal or 2 if one of the boys needs extra time to simply observe before interacting. You might try viewing some YouTube videos of different attractions to give your son an idea of the environment at each; there really isn't much time once you reach the attraction to stand back and give him time to figure it out.
CMs are generally very considerate and understanding with kids.
Enjoy your vacation!