GAC and Autism

[Marthasor]

Hi,

I hope someone can help me with this question.

I have a friend who is going down to WDW in mid-November with 2 autistic children, both 4 years old. I just discovered that you can request a GAC if you are traveling with someone with autism. My son also has autism and has been to WDW 5 times - I have never requested a GAC so I'm not sure what she can expect should she request one? She is not going during a particularly busy time, so I don't think they will encounter long lines. No one is expecting front-of-line access, etc. I'm just wondering - do they take the guests to a different queue? Offer other help? I would just like to describe to her what she could expect from using the GAC card so she can determine whether she thinks she might need it or not. Thanks!

 

[tavettava]

For most rides we go to the entrance and show the CM the GAC and they tell us where to go. TSM when you get to the end of the line they ask if the child can do stairs. Dd can't so we go up the ramp and wait there. For shows we usually show it to the CM at the entrance and they direct us to the handicapped entrance.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs) in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

Especially during slow times, you may find that a touring plan helps or knowing which park is likely to be busiest is a bigger help than a GAC. A lot of people with children with autism in their family have posted that they use the GAC more as insurance than as the main way of touring. GACs can only help for attractions, but a touring plan can help you to be in the quietest part of the quietest park. That will limit your waits and you will find less congestion and busy-ness in the park in general.

What is stamped on the GAC depends on the person’s needs. Since not everyone (even with the same condition) has the same needs, the stamp might vary for people with the same condition.
Different attractions also have different things available. Most do not have a handicapped entrance, but where there is one, your wait may actually be longer by using that.
One example is Spaceship Earth at Epcot. If you try to go early in the morning, your wait in the regular line may be 60 minutes. If you wait until early afternoon or evening, the wait may be only 5 minutes in the regular line. That attraction has a separate waiting area for guests with disabilities who need to board in the area where the moving walkway can be slowed or stopped. Even during the time where the regular line is 5 minutes, that handicapped waiting area may be 30 minutes or more.
Another example is Small World. The handicapped entrance allows people to bring mobility devices to the boarding area and have them there when they get off. Because this is the only way to board with a mobility device, the wait in that line can be very long and the wait is still in a line with wall on one side and bars on the other. I have waited in that line when it reaches the exit. Many of the people in the line had a GAC without a mobility device at a time when the regular line was moving fast enough that the CMs were sending boats out only partially filled since people were not walking in fast enough to fill them. Meanwhile, we waited about 25 minutes that time.

So, look at the posted wait time and if is short, you are usually going to get in faster by using the regular line.

 

[Marthasor]

Thank you so much for the information! I will check out the FAQ's thread. They are only planning on going to MK and it should be a particularly quiet time of year, so I don't expect they will encounter long lines. I love your statement about using it more as an insurance card and the advice on checking the stand-by times first. I know when I travel with my son, that has been rule of thumb. We only going during slow times of the year and either get fast passes or get in stand-by lines of 15 minutes or less.

Thanks again for the information!

 

[Jackie Psarianos]

The Guest Assistance Card:

In our situation, we try to make our son wait for as long as possible, up to twenty minutes and so far we've had success because he knows what waits at the end. There was one instance where we did use our GAC and the Cast Member provided us a shaded, quieter area to wait and it really helped settle my son's anxiety. So it did come in handy.

If your son, is now used to the system of lining up and so forth, just have the GAC handy in the event of a situation arising which might frustrate him. Sort of as a back up system. The Cast Members are really empathetic with providing an appropriate area of comfort while waiting.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[ppony]

Definitely check out that FAQ! As the letters say, ASD, the "spectrum" is so wide, telling a CM that your child has Autism won't be of any help to them just in and of itself. Not everyone w/ Autism has the same triggers or sensitivities as you well know. What the CMs need to know is what help you need that they might be able to assist with. That's the first thing you or your friend needs to do is honestly evaluate what you needs truly are. We've taken our ASD son to WDW twice now. the first time, we knew nothing about the GAC and it was H*LL. I dind't even get to stay in the park until noon w/ him and I only got on 2 rides w/ him. Both were NO fun. We had to leave as he was in a full meltdown and couldn't be calmed down. the second time, last year at this time actually, we did get a GAC for him as we needed to use his stroller as a wheelchair for multiple reasons and itw as the BEST trip ever. He did SO well we were beside ourselves! We ALL enjoyed our vacation because he was able to kept calm. Just have your friend ask herslf what is it her children actually need. I have no idea what others might need, I only know what we needed and it worked out beautifully!

 

[sharadoc]

You do need to bring your child to the guest services desk when you request the card. The CM needs proof that the person with needs exist. Our DS has a really hard time standing still and will start stimming really bad, rocking back & forth, making noises. Other times, he's perfectly fine as long as the line is moving. I worry about disturbing other guests so we use the GAC as much as possible. Another reason why we will only drive - never quite sure how he will act or "freak out."

Some of the alternate waiting areas can be fun! We went behind a gate at POTC and saw Capt. Hook and Smee going out for their greeting shift. At HM, you sit along a wall at the exit where the wheelchairs are. The new process skips the stretching room and goes right to the movers, which is great for him too. Otherwise, we have to stand with him, hold his arms and try to keep him quiet during that scene.

 

[ppony]

You do need to bring your child to the guest services desk when you request the card. The CM needs proof that the person with needs exist. Our DS has a really hard time standing still and will start stimming really bad, rocking back & forth, making noises. Other times, he's perfectly fine as long as the line is moving. I worry about disturbing other guests so we use the GAC as much as possible. Another reason why we will only drive - never quite sure how he will act or "freak out."

Some of the alternate waiting areas can be fun! We went behind a gate at POTC and saw Capt. Hook and Smee going out for their greeting shift. At HM, you sit along a wall at the exit where the wheelchairs are. The new process skips the stretching room and goes right to the movers, which is great for him too. Otherwise, we have to stand with him, hold his arms and try to keep him quiet during that scene.

OH! I didn't know it had a name! Thank you!! Our DS w/ ASD has rocked and banged his head (and occasionally flapped) when we stop motion. No matter if we're in a car, a stroller, anywhere. He has since he was a baby even and it's not stopped. He's even gotten so upset he's unbuckled his seatbelt as I drive! I think he "got it" though she he did that as I was at a stoplight and I had to go and he fell backwards when I did. I pulled over right away but I couldn't stop where I was and I took off as gently as I could but he still understood what happens if he's not sated and belted in so he's made a BIG deal about being buckled up now when the car is running. WHEW! Is that pretty much how you described it to the CM? We still need to use our son's stroller as a wheelchair because he simply cannot do the walking needed and it would take us about 45 minutes just to walk down Main Street if we went at his speed... so he needs the comfort of his stroller for the motion and transport but the stuff you describe is exactly one thing we have going on.
Any advice or tips you can give w/ this is SO helpful! I was really beginning to stress and our trip is a year away. SO much can change before then, but of course, I worry.

 

[DOREEN1779]

Also....Tell your friend to bring a something to put the card in or a clear contact tape to cover the card to protect it from ripping and getting wet