GAC for H-F ASD teen question

[dreamsofdisney]

After reading some of the recent posts about issues/changes (?) with the GAC, I wanted to see if anyone could help with a question that came up in our house.

We've taken my DS14 to WDW 7 or 8 times over the past 9 years. At 18 months he was diagnosed with Autism. At a young age he was non-verbal, with sensory issues, many self-injurious behaviors, frequent meltdowns and aggressions. He also had a lot of unusual and socially "inappropriate" behaviors while waiting in line for rides.

Once, at IASW, we tried to wait in the main access line. I turned around to get something out of my backpack while holding onto one of his hands, and when I turned around he was picking the dry skin off of the feet of stranger in front of us. Many other times, he would start to kick the backs of people's legs and flail his arms about because they were in "his space." Heaven forbid anyone made eye contact with him. He would scream at the top of his lungs "STOP STARING AT ME!!!" MAKE THEM STOP!!!"

We had no trouble the first few years obtaining a GAC. The CMs were very understanding. In the old days, I would just say that he had Autism and had a difficult time waiting in the mainstream lines without meltdowns. The past few years have been harder. DS is older now, and very high-functioning. He was recently diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder, as well. He's very verbal, and quite bright, but still has a lot of social and behavioral issues.

Our concern is that he is very sensitive about people knowing he has Autism. His favorites are the thrill rides and the shows. They tend to have loooong waits and crowded pre-show areas. (Of course, we do try to go on rides where the lines aren't too long, or it isn't too crowded.) When lots of people are crammed into a room, he freaks out if someone accidentally bumps into him. If people are whispering and laughing right next to him in line, he gets upset and wants to leave because he thinks they are making fun of him. He feels like everyone is watching and staring at him. He will rage at me if I slip and mention his Autism in front of strangers (including CMs) and is too embarassed to go into Town Hall to ask for the pass, although he knows he can't make it through the trip without it.

After this waaaaay too long post, my question is: Someone mentioned in another thread that the guest who is being issued the GAC needs to be there when it is being issued so that the CM can see them. I'm afraid that the CMs will see a handsome teenager who is verbal (and probably glaring at his mother!) but most likely NOT in the middle of a meltdown, and not understand the level of his needs. It is embarrassing for DS to have to be there when I tell the CM of his specific needs. Can he wait outside the doorwayto Town Hall while I go in and explain our needs?

Whew! Lots of background for that one little question! TIA

 

[Hook's Girl]

If you are going to City Hall there are benches just on the inside that he could wait on.

 

[Selket]

I'm just wondering if it would work to write a letter to the CM that explains the needs and let them read it -so that it doesn't have to be talked about (at least as much) in front of others.

Maybe he could wait on the bench with another family member while you work with the CM.

 

[dreamsofdisney]

If you are going to City Hall there are benches just on the inside that he could wait on.

Thanks for the tip. I've tried having him wait on the benches inside, but he got really upset when I said "My son has Autism and has a difficult time waiting in areas in close proximity to other guests...etc." He growled and yelled "MOM!!!!" and gave me a look that would cause even the prettiest of Disney flowers to wilt on the spot. He took off out the door and I felt awful for having embarrassed him.

 

[dreamsofdisney]

I'm just wondering if it would work to write a letter to the CM that explains the needs and let them read it -so that it doesn't have to be talked about (at least as much) in front of others.

Maybe he could wait on the bench with another family member while you work with the CM.

Thanks for the tip! I have brought the letter from the doctor before (I know they can't legally ask for that) but I never thought to just ask them to read the letter and maybe explain that he was embarrassed to have his special needs mentioned out loud. Maybe that will work?

 

[a1tinkfans]

Do whats BEST for your child and if that means having him wait outside with another family member while you speak to the Cm, so be it. I have heard that getting the GAC at MK is best as (for some reason) they are most educated with teh "spectrum". I would bring the letter and then explain what you need for him. I highly doubt that they will ask you to "see him" or "bring him inside".
By law, they are not entitled to see medical documentaion, but I too would carry the letter.
Perhaps ask your doctor to explain his sensory integration issues in a brief note and ask for them to accomodate him as best as they can, the GAC. Good Luck!!
Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[Forevryoung]

I agree that it's "embarrassing" but I have NEVER had to state my "issue" by name outloud.

I just say what I need- no specific reason why. They can't ask why due to ADA so it shouldn't impact anything.

Bring your old GAC and your son and don't mention the hated "a word"

Good luck!

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I think the person who mentioned a letter meant one that you wrote, not one from your doctor. You can prepare a letter specifying your son's needs and hand it to the CM instead of verbally saying what he needs. This way, your son won't be so embarrassed, plus you won't forget any needs he may have.

And, yes, you don't have to name his disorders. You can, if you want, of course, but you don't have to.

 

[Selket]

I think the person who mentioned a letter meant one that you wrote, not one from your doctor.

Yes...I'm sorry I wasn't clear on that! You don't need a doctor's letter (you could bring one if you wish but they usually don't want to see it). I would just write it out myself - what I would say - and hand it to them.

 

[BillSears]

Here's an idea. How about having your Son help you write this letter? You could do this at home in a non-stressful environment and the letter would explain his needs as both of you see them. He would also know exactly what's there and wouldn't feel that you were discussing him behind his back.

E.T.A. I was just rereading this and realized the above might come across as sarcastic or as criticizing. So just to be sure it's taken in the spirit I meant...I was just making a suggestion and wasn't implying anything bad.

 

[Amy5000]

Here's an idea. How about having your Son help you write this letter? You could do this at home in a non-stressful environment and the letter would explain his needs as both of you see them. He would also know exactly what's there and wouldn't feel that you were discussing him behind his back.

I like this idea if you can get your DS to comply. If not, what about printing out the above post.

 

[SueM in MN]

I highly doubt that they will ask you to "see him" or "bring him inside".

Since the GAC is actually issued to the person with a disability, they will almost always want that person to be with when the GAC is requested.
We actually had one time when DH went to Guest Relations in MK with DD's old GAC to request a new one without her (since I was taking her to the bathroom at the time). He was told they would not issue the GAC without her present, so we had to go back after she was done in the bathroom. Other people have posted/told me they had similar experiences and CMs have written that they do need the person with a disability present.
It is helpful to have the old GAC, but you also need the person it was issued to.

and is too embarassed to go into Town Hall to ask for the pass, although he knows he can't make it through the trip without it.

Since he knows he can't make it through the trip without it and you have written that he is verbal, I would work on making requesting a GAC into a 'life skills' situation.
As he grows, he will need to be able to advocate for himself. If he's seeing a therapist or has a teacher/counselor he works well with in school, they could work with him on strategies for getting what he needs. That might include some social scripts, working on what would make him less embarrased to ask or working on a letter about his needs for him to present to Guest Relations, as some others suggested. Other people have asked the CMs to read a letter rather than discuss the needs verbally and it worked out well.

I'm not saying that you could not do these things, but I think for a teenager, it would be less embarrasing to work on them with someone else (like teacher or therapist) and the lessons that he learns in advocating for himself will be useful in later life. Even if he 'chickens out' and wants you to present the letter for him, he will have done a lot of thinking about what he needs and can get a lot of praise for having worked on it. Besides that, as Bill mentioned, if he is involved in the letter writing, he will know exactly what it says and should not be embarrased that you are saying 'too much'.