GAC questions

[carebee21]

We're going to Disneyland in August and my Aunt and her 5 year old son are thinking about coming with us. Her son falls into a few "categories" possibly related to autism, but has yet to be given a specific diagnosis. We think we can control most of the obstacles we'll have to overcome but the biggest one we're concerned with are lines. We're not sure how he'll handle being in line or if he'll be able to handle it.

I've done a little research and it looks like they might have a guest assistance card, where most of us can wait in line and then when we get to the front, his mom and him can meet us up front by going through the wheelchair areas of the rides. Has anyone done this? Is that how it works or have I misread/misinterpreted how it would work. If we do get the GAC what info do we need to bring with us? A dr's note? What info does it need to have?

And secondly, as far as the characters are concerned. If he decides he wants to see the characters, do we just tell the handlers to make sure the character doesn't touch him or try to shake his hand or put his arm around him? He freaks out if he's touched and we anticipate the same with the characters, but since my son goes up to the characters and does autographs, etc, we think her son may do the autographs too...

And lastly, if her son does go into meltdown/tantrum mode, is there a semi quiet place either in the park or right around the park that he can go to where he can finish his tantrum and have a bit of quiet to calm down and get away from the crowds or his stressors.

 

[bumbershoot]

The main thing with the GAC is figuring out what the child needs, explaining that to the CMs, and seeing what they can do.

They cannot legally look at a doctor's note; just figure out what he needs, don't get into his symptoms or diagnoses.

I might let the characters know, but on the other hand, the characters are generally really really good with knowing kids. Especially with the face characters, I bet they'll sense his hesitance.

(I say that even though our weirdest experience with a character was with Belle! DS was 3, new to meeting characters, and tired...she had kids sit on the spread out part of her dress, but my son was seriously NOT liking that idea. I tried to help, and she gave me a "butt out" look. She got him to comply, but he wasn't happy about it. Let's just say...I labeled the photopass pictures of the situation with "sorry Belle, he's just not that into you", LOL. But I think she was the exception to the rule.)