Help Please!! - When is 'special needs' , special needs?

[Pixie Holler]

Hi Guys, my first time on the boards but have listened to the podcasts since I came home last May to find my husband in tears because a gentleman by the name of Bob Varley just died. Now at the time I didn't have a clue who this man was, nor had my husband ever met him, but he listened to him every week and I thought that if someone who my husband had never met could cause him to get so upset, he must be part of something pretty special - so here I am.

My question is this, Julie Martin did a quick fire piece on 7/8/09 on children with special needs and getting passes from Guest Relations. I didn't get the whole piece as my two were argueing in the back of the car (occupational hazard of parenthood), but what I wanted to know was what qualifies as special needs?
I ask because we are coming to Florida for 3 weeks in October and my youngest son has attention difficulties in that he can't focus on everyday stuff for more than a couple of minutes at a time and really doesn't get why certain things like stopping when Mum says so is important - everyday stuff we kinda take for granted. He has support at nursery and is making real progress but the thought of having to potentially stand in a queue when after 3 minutes he will start getting agitated is starting to give me the fear. Normal you might say for a 3 year old, but he does take it to new levels, the end of which I am frazzelled, he is distraught and the poor people who were trapped in the confined space with us are all wishing they vacationed in Peru!!
I am someone who would never abuse a facility that has been set up for individuals with special needs or disabilities. My son has no outwardly signs of having anything wrong with him, will engage in conversation with anyone, but who cannot sit down for more than 2 minutes at a time, focus on a picture for less than that and gets incredibly frustrated at the slightest thing.
I guess I'm asking for guidance because I've never done this before. What constitutes 'special needs' and will we get frowned upon for even considering something that could make the difference between time away from the UK and a truely magical experience?? Your thoughts would be very much appreciated.

 

[KPeveler]

check out the FAQs at the top of the page to learn about the GAC. The Guest Assistance Card is there to help people wth invisible disabilities... It is not designed to shorten wait times, but sometimes there are things like alternate waiting areas which are quieter and something to allow a stroller to act as a wheelchair, which means you can bring it into lines.

Any need which keeps you from accessing and enjoying the parks as everyone else is a need to bring to Guest Services to see what they can do!

 

[bookwormde]

Welcome,

I good indication that his differences would rise to the level of a special need is the descriptions that he becomes distraught (typically this is from the anxiety of trying to “handle” a queue situation for which he does not have the innate skills and has not yet developed the intellectual skills to handle the situations).

You are not abusing the situation since it really provides no advantage, just a chance to have an equivalent experience.

There are lots of parents on these boards with children with a variety of “invisible” neurological variations ranging from being cognitively delayed to sensory issues to attention issues to lack of innate social skills, and often some combination of these. Reading some of the past treads, asking questions and using GAC or stroller as a WC if appropriate is the best way to ensure that WDW is the magical experience that is should be for our children.

Bookwormde

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi Guys, my first time on the boards but have listened to the podcasts since I came home last May to find my husband in tears because a gentleman by the name of Bob Varley just died. Now at the time I didn't have a clue who this man was, nor had my husband ever met him, but he listened to him every week and I thought that if someone who my husband had never met could cause him to get so upset, he must be part of something pretty special - so here I am.

My question is this, Julie Martin did a quick fire piece on 7/8/09 on children with special needs and getting passes from Guest Relations. I didn't get the whole piece as my two were argueing in the back of the car (occupational hazard of parenthood), but what I wanted to know was what qualifies as special needs?
I ask because we are coming to Florida for 3 weeks in October and my youngest son has attention difficulties in that he can't focus on everyday stuff for more than a couple of minutes at a time and really doesn't get why certain things like stopping when Mum says so is important - everyday stuff we kinda take for granted. He has support at nursery and is making real progress but the thought of having to potentially stand in a queue when after 3 minutes he will start getting agitated is starting to give me the fear. Normal you might say for a 3 year old, but he does take it to new levels, the end of which I am frazzelled, he is distraught and the poor people who were trapped in the confined space with us are all wishing they vacationed in Peru!!
I am someone who would never abuse a facility that has been set up for individuals with special needs or disabilities. My son has no outwardly signs of having anything wrong with him, will engage in conversation with anyone, but who cannot sit down for more than 2 minutes at a time, focus on a picture for less than that and gets incredibly frustrated at the slightest thing.
I guess I'm asking for guidance because I've never done this before. What constitutes 'special needs' and will we get frowned upon for even considering something that could make the difference between time away from the UK and a truely magical experience?? Your thoughts would be very much appreciated.

What I suggest you do is look in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board (if you don't see it, there is a link to that thread in my signature).
Look at post #6 of that thread, which is all about Guest Assistance Cards. You would need to be able to explain what your child's needs are.

You may also want to look into one of the touring plans, such as Tour Guide Mike or RideMax. If you are able to get a GAC, it will only help for attractions. Using a touring plan can help make sure that you are in the least busy places at the least busy times and really shorten your waiting times. Many people find that sort of assistance even more helpful than using a GAC. The 'busy-ness' of the park outside attractions can be just as difficult to deal with as waiting in lines.

 

[Pixie Holler]

Guys

Thank you so much for your advice and direction. Apologies for the delay - time difference in the UK.

 

[Selket]

I highly recommend a touring plan like Tour Guide Mike. His plans - if you follow them - work great for even the busiest times. You will not wait in line long enough to be bored. You have to be willing to get early and get to the parks first thing however - that is part of what makes his plans work so well.

 

[Yvet]

Just go over to guest relations and get the card, don't feel upset about it or ashamed because that is where the card is for.....

And your husband was right: Bob was a very very special person....

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Hi there, and to our happy little home .

It sounds to me like you and your family are just the people the GAC was set up to help! You guys just need a little extra help, to make sure that you're holiday is as magical and stress-free as possible. Just go to Guest Relations, explain briefly the problems your son has to deal with, and what you think might help him enjoy the world more.

As others have said, the 'stroller as a wheelchair' accommodation could be a real help to you. It will give him his own 'safe place' to retreat to, and will help you to keep him in one place in lines (this is especially useful if he is prone to running off suddenly, or likes to touch things and get into other people's stuff!). You can make sure you have a few useful distractions in the stroller, like a few simple toys, a snack and a notebook to draw in, to help keep him from meltdowns for longer.

Fastpass is a wonderful system, too. I don't know whether you've used it before or not, but it really is so useful! You just put your park ticket into the machine, it spits out some passes with two times on it, then you come back to the attraction between those times and get on with very little or no queue! Just be aware that you can't have more than one Fastpass at a time - i.e. you can't get another pass, until your first one has passed it's first use time.

How is he with loud sounds and background noise? If he has trouble coping with these, you might want to consider getting a set of ear defenders or earplugs (though putting earplugs in a three year old may prove 'interesting' ), to reduce the noise levels and keep him calmer. He'll also be more likely to have a meltdown if he's overheating, overtired or hungry, so a hand-held fan and a few 'emergency snacks' might be useful to have!

It's good to hear that you guys are going for a nice long trip, because it means you can break up your day, and take things a little more gently. I don't know what would suit your family's routine best, but a lot of people with kids, especially those with extra challenges, like to take a break in the middle of the day. Try to get to the parks at or around opening time, and spend the morning doing whatever you fancy (the lines are often shorter at this time, so hopefully a little less stressful); head back to your hotel around 11ish, to relax, go swimming, have a nap or watch cartoons; then return to the parks late afternoon for some more fun and the evening entertainments!

However you play it, try to have a rough routine to follow. Going away will be a HUGE change, and can be quite unnerving for anyone, so some consistency can act as a 'security blanket'. If he is somewhere on the Autistic spectrum (I don't think you said he was, but just in case), having a rough plan that you explain to him each day, could help. That said, you'll have to be prepared to be flexible - if he needs to go back to the room, but your plan says to spend another two hours in the park, you may need to abandon the plan!

He might enjoy searching for Hidden Mickeys. These are, as the name suggests, Mickey Mouses (Or should that be Mickey Mice? ) hidden in the architecture and artwork all around the parks. You can get a guidebook, giving you hints of where to look, fairly cheaply from Amazon.

Have you got a plan for the plane? I'm not trying to worry you here, but I know how long the flight is from here to Florida, and it can be rather trying on anyone. Make sure you fill up your hand luggage with things to keep him busy, such as colouring in or dot-to-dot books; small toys etc. If you're flying on a plane with seatback TV screens, they are a very useful distraction, but be aware that on a flight that long, they will show the same cycle of programs about 3 times. There is normally a kids' channel and a family film available, but there will probably be breaks in-between these. Also, take some snacks with you, as it can be a long time between meals for little stomachs!

Hope some of this helps! If you have any more questions, do just come back and ask us; someone is bound to have the answer!

Have a great trip

 

[brekin67]

If you are just needing an alternate waiting area, maybe you could just use the fast pass system. For the need I think you are describing, the GAC and fast pass will do the same thing for you. The CM will hep you at guest relations n getting whatever will be best for his needs. I hope that you are able to enjoy your trip. Have a great time!