DAS questions for son

[WDWMickeyMommy]

How does the process actually work when you go to get the DAS? My soon to be 13 year old son has Aspergers. We never got a GAC and I just learned how to manage lines with him by working fastpasses and just avoiding other lines. I've been considering getting a DAS though for our upcoming DL and WDW trips. I think especially with the WDW trip and FP+ limiting the number of FP you can have, having the DAS would probably make our trip easier since he has issues with being on lines, with sensory overload, and has some muscle weakness that makes standing on lines for a length of time difficult.

My concern though is that while I think he would appreciate the convenience of having the DAS, he does not consider himself disabled and would probably be offended if someone stated that he's disabled from the Aspergers. He also doesn't like to discuss the Aspergers and would probably be very embarrassed to have a conversation about it or to know I'm discussing it with strangers. I know that the disabled guest has to appear and get their picture taken when you get the DAS. What kinds of questions do they ask? Do I have to specifically state that the reason for the request for the DAS is because he's on the spectrum? Would they want to speak to him?

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[princess jasmine 76]

My DS is 15 years old and also has Asperger's, with many of the same issues that you cite. We have been using the GAC since he was 8 years old (on our very first trip with him we didn't even know such a thing existed!). Our last trip this past November was our first using the new DAS's since they unveiled their new system.

What we do is we go to Guest Services - and you can visit Guest Services in any of the parks to obtain one - and my DS Brandon comes with me, and I explain to the cast member why I feel like my son would benefit from having one. In all of the times I have asked for one, while he has to be present to obtain one, I have never had a cast member directly ask my son any questions in regard to the DAS. I then am usually asked by the cast member for my son's information to put on the card, such as his name, the length of our stay, and how many people are in our party. This past Nov was a little different in that this time the cast member did speak to my son to inform him that they were going to take his picture, and he was ok with that. The picture prints very quickly and then we're on our way. Sometimes we used it, sometimes not, but it was handy to have on the occasions that we did use it. Outside of waiting in line at Guest Services, the whole process is very quick. I would say about 10 minutes at most.

I have heard of instances where people have provided hand-written notes to the cast members to read so as to protect their privacy and not to embarrass the guest it is for. Maybe that is something that your son would be a little more comfortable with? Then you don't have to say too much "out loud". The cast member doesn't necessarily need to know what the diagnosis is or the name of the disability - what they need to know more is why they would be a candidate for the DAS (i.e. I don't believe you necessarily need to say he has Asperger's - but has trouble with sensory overload etc etc).

Lastly, your DS sounds like a very mature and bright young man. Whatever you choose to do, have a most magical time!

 

[princess jasmine 76]

Also, this FAQ that is a sticky thread at the top of this forum might be helpful:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/wd...pdated-4-25-14-stamps-at-attractions.3178976/

 

[princess jasmine 76]

Sorry to add further confusion, someone just told me that the DAS's are now going to be digitally linked to magic bands. I didn't realize that just started at the end of April. I used to just go to Guest Relations with my son only and inform them of how many are in our party; it appears now that the entire party will need to be present when requesting a DAS (which makes sense if they are going to be linked on magic bands).
This change/process will be new to me when we visit this coming November. I imagine everything else I typed as far as your verbal and/or written request will remain the same.

http://www.kennythepirate.com/2015/...ty-access-service-system-is-becoming-digital/

 

[DLgal]

Your son needs to go with you but they won't ask him any direct questions.

However, at the age of 13, your son should probably learn what it means to advocate for himself, and it is not about embarrassing him, but about showing him that, although some things are harder for him, they don't always have to be that way, and there are programs in place to help him (and others like him) out. He already is aware of his issues, so you need to be candid with him that if he wants to use a service like DAS, he needs to be able to be open about why he needs it. Or, you have the conversation about how if he is unwilling to be open about asking for help, he is going to have to come up with strategies to help overcome his issues, because otherwise it will affect ALL of you, and that isn't very fair. He is getting older and needs to realize that not everyone should (or will) bend to his needs, BUT when there are accommodations available, he should not be at all embarrassed about using them if it will make things easier for everyone.

 

[OurBigTrip]

You aren't limited in the number of FP+ you can have in a day, so if you think it will be easier than him getting the DAS, then just use FP+

 

[jenineh]

Your son needs to go with you but they won't ask him any direct questions.

However, at the age of 13, your son should probably learn what it means to advocate for himself, and it is not about embarrassing him, but about showing him that, although some things are harder for him, they don't always have to be that way, and there are programs in place to help him (and others like him) out. He already is aware of his issues, so you need to be candid with him that if he wants to use a service like DAS, he needs to be able to be open about why he needs it. Or, you have the conversation about how if he is unwilling to be open about asking for help, he is going to have to come up with strategies to help overcome his issues, because otherwise it will affect ALL of you, and that isn't very fair. He is getting older and needs to realize that not everyone should (or will) bend to his needs, BUT when there are accommodations available, he should not be at all embarrassed about using them if it will make things easier for everyone.

That is so perfectly stated! My son has Aspergers and we have never used any kind of accommodations at Disney. He is aware of his diagnosis and has been since he was in the 3rd grade. He does not consider himself disabled, just different. He is now 16. He works so hard to get over his issues and wants to be just like everybody else. He doesn't even like to use the accommodations that are in place for him at school . Everyone needs to do whats best for their kids and the DAS is a great tool for those that need it. But for us we use every possible situation as a learning tool for our son. And unfortunately waiting in line is something that he needs to do.

 

[Yoshiandi]

Sort of. You start of with 3.. then once those are done, you can get more. With the DAS, you can only have one ride on there at a time. But if you get stuck with a late time FP, you may be out of luck for getting more later in the evening.

You aren't limited in the number of FP+ you can have in a day, so if you think it will be easier than him getting the DAS, then just use FP+

 

[OurBigTrip]

Sort of. You start of with 3.. then once those are done, you can get more. With the DAS, you can only have one ride on there at a time. But if you get stuck with a late time FP, you may be out of luck for getting more later in the evening.

Yes, I know - I was just saying that they're not limited.

 

[gap2368]

I know I am late in this but have you talked to your son about the DAS and what it is you could tell him about it and tell him how it works let hime know that you will have to go to GR and talk to a cast member there and bout him in lines and the difficulty he has with it and see if he would like to use a DAS card if he says he would like to then go to GR if he dose not let him know if he changes his mind then you can go back to GR latter.

 

[Sunnywho]

My concern though is that while I think he would appreciate the convenience of having the DAS, he does not consider himself disabled and would probably be offended if someone stated that he's disabled from the Aspergers.

On MDE, it also clearly labels it as a "DISABILITY FASTPASS" if he would find that objectionable too. Can you talk it through with him so he knows what has to be done to get the assistance but also knows the benefits? Frankly if it would be an embarrassment that he'll get over, then I'd go for it, but if the feelings are stronger like humiliated or something, then I'd make do without it.

 

[knitngurl]

My DD has similar issueas and has decided she wants to give it a go without a DAS, since we can always go to guest services and get one if she finds waiting in line really isn't working for her. She is bringing her earplugs and since she tends to rock/flap a bit when bored or overstimulated my other daughter and I will be on eirther side of her in line if she needs us. I have found that with my DD and other teens I work with they like knowing a resouce is available if they need it, but they like to try to get along without it so they they don't stand out.

 

[WDWMickeyMommy]

Thank you so much for all of the responses. It's really appreciated.

My DS is 15 years old and also has Asperger's, with many of the same issues that you cite. We have been using the GAC since he was 8 years old (on our very first trip with him we didn't even know such a thing existed!). Our last trip this past November was our first using the new DAS's since they unveiled their new system.

What we do is we go to Guest Services - and you can visit Guest Services in any of the parks to obtain one - and my DS Brandon comes with me, and I explain to the cast member why I feel like my son would benefit from having one. In all of the times I have asked for one, while he has to be present to obtain one, I have never had a cast member directly ask my son any questions in regard to the DAS. I then am usually asked by the cast member for my son's information to put on the card, such as his name, the length of our stay, and how many people are in our party. This past Nov was a little different in that this time the cast member did speak to my son to inform him that they were going to take his picture, and he was ok with that. The picture prints very quickly and then we're on our way. Sometimes we used it, sometimes not, but it was handy to have on the occasions that we did use it. Outside of waiting in line at Guest Services, the whole process is very quick. I would say about 10 minutes at most.

I have heard of instances where people have provided hand-written notes to the cast members to read so as to protect their privacy and not to embarrass the guest it is for. Maybe that is something that your son would be a little more comfortable with? Then you don't have to say too much "out loud". The cast member doesn't necessarily need to know what the diagnosis is or the name of the disability - what they need to know more is why they would be a candidate for the DAS (i.e. I don't believe you necessarily need to say he has Asperger's - but has trouble with sensory overload etc etc).

Lastly, your DS sounds like a very mature and bright young man. Whatever you choose to do, have a most magical time!

Thank you for your lovely response. And good to know that some people have provided hand-written notes to the cast members. That might work for us if we do decide to do the DAS.

I know I am late in this but have you talked to your son about the DAS and what it is you could tell him about it and tell him how it works let hime know that you will have to go to GR and talk to a cast member there and bout him in lines and the difficulty he has with it and see if he would like to use a DAS card if he says he would like to then go to GR if he dose not let him know if he changes his mind then you can go back to GR latter.

This is what I would have to do. He just hates when you point out what makes him different. He's at that age now where he's really aware of the differences but doesn't like to acknowledge that he is different in any way.

On MDE, it also clearly la
bels it as a "DISABILITY FASTPASS" if he would find that objectionable too. Can you talk it through with him so he knows what has to be done to get the assistance but also knows the benefits? Frankly if it would be an embarrassment that he'll get over, then I'd go for it, but if the feelings are stronger like humiliated or something, then I'd make do without it.

Good to know that it labels it that way, I would definitely let him know that.

My DD has similar issueas and has decided she wants to give it a go without a DAS, since we can always go to guest services and get one if she finds waiting in line really isn't working for her. She is bringing her earplugs and since she tends to rock/flap a bit when bored or overstimulated my other daughter and I will be on eirther side of her in line if she needs us. I have found that with my DD and other teens I work with they like knowing a resouce is available if they need it, but they like to try to get along without it so they they don't stand out.

This is it exactly, kids this age try and get along without supports or resources because they don't want to stand out or look different. We've done a lot of trips without the GAC/DAS but I find it's harder now with FP+. At least in MK, we were definitely able to pull more FP before FP+ and not having that ability has impacted us because of the difficulties of waiting on lines. Sometimes it's not even the sensory issues, it's just the standing. He has some hypotonia, so standing for long periods of time can be difficult for him.

I think I might show him stuff from this site or some other sites about the DAS and let him read about it. He may be more receptive if he can process it on his own first.

 

[Sparkly]

Did you know you can now pull more then 3 FP using the in park kiosk? Once the third FP is used you can select more. Obviously availability will vary, but just letting you know you aren't necessarily limited to only 3 anymore. I maybe used my DAS a handful of times- the rest was FP.

 

[LaurenDis]

For what its worth, when we went in May I wrote out why we needed the DAS card so I wouldn't have to speak about my son in front of him but they wouldn't even look at it. She said I needed to tell her directly.