GAC for ADHD?

[crazykids]

My son has severe ADHD & can not tolerate waiting in line at all. His specialist wrote me out a letter stating this & I was wondering if that would be enough to get a GAC for him

 

[Michigan]

Under the ADA they can not give you a GAC based on any type of letter from your child's doctor. You will need to explain why your child can't wait in line and they will determine what needs to be done. You will not be given front of the line access to the rides that is only given to Make a Wish kids and on some rides you may find that your wait is somewhat to a lot longer then it would be in the regular line.

 

[SueM in MN]

Check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread for information about GACs.

GACs are given for needs rather than the diagnosis. The CMs at Guest Relations can look at your letter if you show it to them, but they can't require a letter and most of the letters are not very helpful because they just say things like "my patient has ADHD and can't wait in lines".

My youngest DD has ADD among her other disabilities and we have taken my nephew who has ADHD on several trips. We were surprised that our nephew actaully did quite well with lines - as long as we were waiting for something that interested him.

 

[LindaDVC]

My ADHD son hates lines. He is the most hyper kid I have ever seen and I am a pediatric OT!
I gave him a choice -- get in the line or don't ride
SOemtimes he chose not to ride. As an only child we were able to select things he wanted to do alot of the time, However we also had things we wanted to do that weren't his first choice

We also gave him lots of opportunities to "chill"
We always took afternoons off to swim and even packed his bike so he could ride around OKW or FW.

In the parks good "chill spots" are
- tom sawyers island, Mgms' honey I shrunk the ... playground, epcot's innovations although less computers there now , dinoland playground, etc

He is now 19 and working so he wishes he had vacation time to stand in lines!!!

Linda

 

[LauraAnn630]

I dont understand why a doctors note isnt excepted. Especially if it explains the reasons why someone needs special assistance.

I doesnt make sense to me.

Anyone can walk up and say, " I cant wait in long lines because ... (whatever the problem may be)

Anyone can make up anything.

Im not saying anyone is doing this but they could because a doctors not is not needed.

Ive heard some people have been treated badly. So Im afraid to ask for one.

 

[Michigan]

I dont understand why a doctors note isnt excepted. Especially if it explains the reasons why someone needs special assistance.

I doesnt make sense to me.

Anyone can walk up and say, " I cant wait in long lines because ... (whatever the problem may be)

Anyone can make up anything.

Im not saying anyone is doing this but they could because a doctors not is not needed.

Ive heard some people have been treated badly. So Im afraid to ask for one.

Because the ADA says it's illegal to ask for proof of disability.

There are people that do just go ask for a GAC and don't need it just like there were people that got wheelchairs that didn't need them just to go to the front of the line before the lines were accessible. This is just me but I can see Disney getting rid of the GAC in the future by making all the rides have fast pass.

 

[KPeveler]

fastpass wont work for all disabilities, and if it is a busy day, that means people with disabilties will get to ride one or maybe two rides before the fastpass times are gone...

and the ADA says that you cannot require proof of a disability. i do not have drs notes about mine because it is congenital and invisible, and i do not need as many accomodations at home as a do in disney

also, you will not (or at least i assume not) get head-of-line-privilege, since that is only given to Make-a-wish kids. i know it would be easier for you, but that is disney policy. however, fastpasses would help you a great deal...

 

[Vemnox]

I dont understand why a doctors note isnt excepted. Especially if it explains the reasons why someone needs special assistance.

I doesnt make sense to me.

Anyone can walk up and say, " I cant wait in long lines because ... (whatever the problem may be)

Anyone can make up anything.

Im not saying anyone is doing this but they could because a doctors not is not needed.

If you only knew how bad it is.

 

[Selket]

My older one was just dx'd with ADD (has had the symptoms for a long time - he is 9 now). So I know a bit where you are coming from.

We have found that a really good touring plan has worked wonders for avoiding lines in the first place (GAC or no GAC - much better to walk onto everything right?). I use Tour Guide Mike (who sponsors the Theme Park board here). I would NOT do WDW without him anymore - his advice is dead on. I've used it at the busiest times (spring break, 4th of July) and slow times too. That has worked well for us most times.

 

[SueM in MN]

My older one was just dx'd with ADD (has had the symptoms for a long time - he is 9 now). So I know a bit where you are coming from.

We have found that a really good touring plan has worked wonders for avoiding lines in the first place (GAC or no GAC - much better to walk onto everything right?). I use Tour Guide Mike (who sponsors the Theme Park board here). I would NOT do WDW without him anymore - his advice is dead on. I've used it at the busiest times (spring break, 4th of July) and slow times too. That has worked well for us most times.

We have not used Tour Guide Mike because we have been to the parks so many times that we know what is busy and when.
For example, Spaceship Earth in Epcot is very busy early in the day - waits of over an hour during Spring break. But, if you go late in the afternoon or early evening, you can walk right on.
Getting to the parks early helps a lot too. My DD and my niece were at MK at opening this year during spring break. They got on all the Fantasyland rides plus Pirates and Splash Mountain without waiting more than 10 or 15 minutes for anything. We've had members of our party do that every year for the last (probably) 8 years going at Spring break.

If you do get a GAC, that only helps with the waiting in lines, but the general busy and crowded conditions in the parks can be just as hard to deal with as the lines are. By using something like TourGuide Mike, you can be there when it's not busy.

 

[BionicEar]

My son has severe ADHD as well, and he's bordeline Aspergers. I do not get a GAC for him, because he has no needs for a GAC. (However, we do get a GAC for me, as I am deaf.)

My philosophy is that you will be waiting in line for just about anything and everything; from waiting in a long line at the Wal-Mart checkout, grocery store, in school, etc., etc.... So my son has learned to tolerate waiting in line.

Hate to sound insensitive, but waiting in line is just one aspect of ADHD that your son will just have to overcome. I suggest bringing a GameBoy or a PSP. There are even some Spongebob episodes that you can get to play on your PSP. Or come up with some "line waiting game" that will help your son pass the time. Or, if you have a PDA with few games on it like solitaire, etc., let your child play on that as we wait.

 

[Beccabunny]

My daughter has autism and Tourette's, and on our last visit we had her wait in some of the shorter lines and she did OK. However, the LONGEST line at Wal-Mart, supermarket, etc. doesn't come close to the wait in line at some of Disney's attractions. We used a GAC for those and we will do it again on our next trip. Some children don't have the cognitive ability to understand the concept of waiting. My daughter is in first grade and reads at a third grade level, and tested at fifth grade level in some areas, yet I could explain until I'm blue in the face and she doesn't get why she has to wait. The OP knows better than anyone whether or not her son CAN tolerate the lines, as opposed to whether or not he's willing. Crazykids, feel free to PM me if you want to discuss this.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

My son has severe ADHD & can not tolerate waiting in line at all. His specialist wrote me out a letter stating this & I was wondering if that would be enough to get a GAC for him

Severe ADHD to the point he "can not tolerate waiting in line at all"?

I would honestly suggest not taking him to WDW during peak times if hs ADHD is that severe that waiting in line is so traumatic. It might sound cruel, but it's my opinion that he must first be able to control himself to some degree in situations requiring patience before being thrust into them. A WDW trip might well be a great reward for mastering a greater degree of self-control. Until then, I honestly think he would be better off in a less traumatic environment. A GAC may allow him to wait somewhere other than in the line itself, but it isn't a free pass to avoid waiting.

Per http://pixiedustinn.com/disabilitiesfaq/GACFAQ.html (A GAC) Allows an alternate entrance waiting area for people who can't wait in line. This one is mostly used for children/adults with conditions like autism, ADD or other health problems that make waiting in line difficult or dangerous for them or the people with them. ...you will be asked to use FastPass if available and you are told that the card will not allow immediate access to rides/attractions. You will often still need to wait; it just may be in a different place.

 

[annie1995]

Hate to sound insensitive, but waiting in line is just one aspect of ADHD that your son will just have to overcome.

I have to agree. There will always be lines. Avoid going during peak times if its that much of a hassle.

 

[MarylandMom]

My DD had ADHD along with other diagnosis. We attempted a trip to DW without a GAC on our first visit (trying to use many of the strategies mentioned by other posters to help her with waiting in lines) and it was a disaster for the entire family! She simply could not wait in lines for extended periods. We finally went to Guest Services and explained our difficulties and a CM happily gave us a GAC. The GAC saved our trip! We had an amazing time and we even saw improvements while there and when we returned. It is because of the GAC that we will continue to return to DW for our vacations. We are so grateful that Disney understands the challenges of traveling with a disability and is willing to accomodate families in this way. We also used the Tour Guide Mike touring plans which were wonderful, as we avoided the most crowded parks and areas.

Although some may feel that your child may not need a GAC, I would trust your own judgement. Only you know your child's needs and what will be best for your family. Most of my daughter's disabilities are "invisible" and it has taken me a long time to accept the fact that she requires assistance at times and deserves it just as anyone who has a visible injury does. Everyone deserves to enjoy the magic, some just require a bit of help! Best wishes for a wonderful trip!

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

Okay, I'll be the insensitive one - I'm good at it - I really don't care if people find my honest opinion upsetting.

Other than the make-a-wish kids [and severely disabled] everybody should have to f'in wait the same amount of time as anybody else. 'Cause otherwise, I have this feeling that EVERYBODY should deserve a GAC for SOME reason. Why don't all 50,000 of us going to WDW for a day go to guest services and say, "I simply cannot tolerate waiting in lines because ______________"?

We all have limiting conditions in our lives. ADHD is just one more of many. Equal access/[reasonable accomodation] does NOT equal special treatment, aka in this case not waiting in lines or other waiting area. Not for my child(who has ADHD) and not for yours.

/rant

Edit: I want to be clear that my post is limited to being against accomodating those who would claim a condition that prevents them from waiting their turn like most everyone else in the world simply because they "can't", and act out if required to wait. There are many legitimate reasons for GAC's - mobility, vision, hearing, mental function, etc. There are those who are so ill, and whose time is so limited, that "front of the line passes" are indeed reasonable. But "not being able to wait" at a theme park due to ADHD, however, is simply not one of them. Every one of us shares a terminal condition called mortality. Our time on this earth is the single most limiting factor and precious commodity in almost everyone's life. There are many legitimate reasons for someone receiving reasonable accomodation and even special treatment. I don't have a problem having my time sacrificed a bit for those who TRULY require some accomodation. Sorry, but I'm selfish, and I act out when others waste my precious time. My "disability" of being mortal and having a limited lifespan trumps your disability of "not being able to wait."

 

[madenon]

You're way of putting it is a bit..... harsh 4Eyed, but I can get along with you in some extend. I'm very pleased to find more service and possibilities in countries like Amerika or Australia than in my own country (Holland, you know the one, with the tulips and drugs reputation ), it makes travelling so much easier. But I'm a bit amazed at some of the things I'm reading on this board. It makes me feel things might just be tipping over the scale to the other opposite.

The biggest reason why I find that difficult is that I've noticed that it can reduce understanding for the biggest problems someone runs into. I mean, I could go on and claim "give me a GAC, because waiting causes me more severe pain and prolonged exposure to the sun can permanently damage my body" (well, in a nicer tone, that is) but is that really fair? If I were to do multiple things at home without resting every hour, I'll also cause severe pain. When at home, I'll have to endure the sun also and do fine. Why should that be different at WDW just because there is a GAC. I can manage. Yeah sure, it'll cost me some time and I'll have to watch some things, but that's no big deal. Sure, taking this trip will permanently damage my health, but any trip would have anyway. Sure, my health will shorten the time I can spend in the park, but than again; so does having young children -sleeping during the day, be in bed early-, older parents -might need a rest during the day, walk slower- or going in large groups -just deciding on which ride to go will take more time than when you go alone-. Getting help where possible is great, but it should stay reasonable if you ask me.

I'm not with you on the "GAC only for MAW's", but I am a bit surprised at how many reasons people can have to think they need a GAC to enjoy WDW. But than again, I'm told by many that I am crazy for liking WDW for having lines that are accessible so I have to wait just like anybody else. Overhere it's normall that many rides don't have a standard line that is accessible, so you'll have to go round back, allways get help from staff and I can count the rides that can be accessed while staying in a wc on one hand (probably on one finger?). It is great to be treated normall, instead of "special". Finally being able to wait, go on rides without worrying, yes! Sure, being treated like normall has sides to it that are not to great (nobody loves waiting itself), but that's something that comes with the package of wanting to be treated normall. For me that not only means not being treated as being worth less, but also not as being worth more.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

You're way of putting it is a bit..... harsh 4Eyed, but I can get along with you in some extend. I'm very pleased to find more service and possibilities in countries like Amerika or Australia than in my own country (Holland, you know the one, with the tulips and drugs reputation ), it makes travelling so much easier. But I'm a bit amazed at some of the things I'm reading on this board. It makes me feel things might just be tipping over the scale to the other opposite.

Harsh, perhaps, but I have become fed up with the sugar-coated, everything must be warm and fuzzy mentality that pervades much of this era. I'm all for reasonable accomodation, I'm all for providing as much treatment as possible for the wide variety of conditions and challenges that many of us encounter in our lives. The problem is the current propensity to label every condition that might be somewhat limiting or present a challenge to overcome as a "disability". Given the context of the current thread, I'll submit that ADD, ADHD and all its variants are way over-diagnosed, way over-accomodated, and definitely way over-medicated. Accomodating the portions of ADHD behavior that is unacceptable from the standpoint of functioning in society does nothing to help the ADHD sufferer. It simply prolongs an existing behavior pattern that is detrimental to the person's long term well being. Treat the patient - not society.

Holland, you say? Land of tulips and drugs? I seem to remember a certain canal district from years past as well... A most entertaining land for a young traveler.

I'm not with you on the "GAC only for MAW's", but I am a bit surprised at how many reasons people can have to think they need a GAC to enjoy WDW. ... It is great to be treated normall, instead of "special". ... For me that not only means not being treated as being worth less, but also not as being worth more.

I reread and rethought my original post and edited it as noted to better express my opinion. Isn't the entire point of accomodation one of equality - not special treatment?

 

[madenon]

Canals; check. Young travelers; check. Yep, that should be my little place on earth. Or as it is called online at the moment; donorshowland.


Probably no big shock, but I get what you're saying. For me it is so important to be treated equal and not special. Gosh, there is nothing that annoys me more than people allways being nice and doing more stuff because I happen to wheel through life. I mean, just because I happen to have some disability doesn't mean I can be just as annoying as any other person.

 

[Selket]

I think I'll add that not everyone with the same disability or disabling condition needs the same accomodations. This is certainly true of my son's ADD - we do not have problems waiting in lines - so for us this is not an issue. I will not assume it is the same for all children with ADD (or ADHD, etc).

I do like my suggestion of a good touring plan. Really....NOTHING beats a good touring plan - with TGM we pretty much walk on to most rides or we don't wait but 20-30 mins at the very most for a thing or two.