GAC and autism

[wendylovesdisney]

Hi - I have an adopted child from China (actually 2). She is now 4 years old. At age 2 she could not talk, play, and had extreme rage or nothing at all. She has had TONS of therapy, etc since. The Doctors fiddled with calling her PDD, NOS and reactive attachment disorder and sensory integration disorder, etc. She kind of does not have an "official" diagnosis other then developemental delay as the doctor said they did not want to saddle her with anything. However, we have a lot of progress reports type things on paper. We went to Disney last year without a hitch and the crowds were low. Her special ed preschool teacher suggested we get a GAC but we did not and did fine.
This year, it seems like her tendencies are coming out worse and/or in different ways and we have full out meltdowns about 3 times a day. I am worried that we might have "issues" and think I should get a GAC this time.
My problem is I feel guilty. She is rather high functioning as people put it. When she is having a good day, you could look at her and think she is "normal". I don't want dirty looks. I also feel like I can't talk about her in front of others - it would kill me. I guess I could type a note up so I don't have to discuss it in front of her - or make Daddy take her outside after pointing her out to the CM.
I JUST WANT THE SECURITY OF KNOWING IT IS THERE... I want this to be a happy trip for her. I want to try and avoid a meltdown, and I know there will be some...

 

[JaneH]

Do it. Just because you have it, doesn't mean you have to use it, I didnt need to even though we were there in December and my 10 year old had a complete breakdown in Epcot in one of the Innovations bldg - a lovely cast member (who is taking a break as a special ed teacher) recoginized the problem, came after him and worked w/ him. I was lucky that is was off-season and they werent crowded that day. For the most part I do try to anticipate his needs and what will trigger him, but I am not always successful. There was the moment in MGM when he became extremely frustrated and disappeared for about 10 minutes..... Again, CM's helped me find him. It is better to be prepared then worry about what others will think.

 

[SueM in MN]

I JUST WANT THE SECURITY OF KNOWING IT IS THERE... I want this to be a happy trip for her. I want to try and avoid a meltdown, and I know there will be some...

I think that is a perfectly reasonable thing to want.
If she is having a good day and you don't need it, you don't have to use it.
You may find that she has many good days and you don't need to use it at all. Some people post that they feel like they can handle things better just knowing that they have it and can pull it out if they need it. Some people think of it as insurance; not something you necessarily plan to use, but valuable if you do need it.

As for your thought of typing up a little note - other people have done it. Just talk in the note about what she problems you anticipate her having and her needs. If you haven't checked out the information about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards) in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, it may be helpful to look at.