Just back- GAC!-Autism related

[In Luv with Disney]

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for this great thread!!

I have a 5 1/2 year old DS (he'll be 6 in October) who has Asbergers and SEVERE ADHD...He also has sensory issues, meaning that loud noise in a confined space will REALLY get to him. (Kind of like when a Previous Poster described a loud cafeteria...that makes him nuts! )

My doctor recently told me about the GAC before our December trip, and wrote me a note for him. I brought it to AK Guest Services, where I got the pass. It really saved my trip. I still have the pass, and plan to bring it with me when I go in August to get another one. I will say, that if the line was short enough, we DID NOT use the pass. We only used it when it was necessary. For example, we didn't use it for Pirates, since the line was moving rather quickly...we did have to wait a LITTLE, but that was fine.

 

[riu girl]

Kim,
yes make sure you bring your old one with you. I was so nervous getting our first one for DD in 2004 that I typed up a short note, not with her diagnosis, but with what I felt would be her primary needs at disney.
and asked hte guest services CM to read it.

The next time we went, I simply gave guest services the original GAC. They asked me if her needs have changed. I said no, and then they kept the original GAC and issued us a new one. We were able to use the GAC much less that trip since DD had matured a bit plus I was not a WDW first-timer anymore and understood touring plans better. It is still great to have though for those few times late in the afternoon when I know DD won't be able to handle people in her personal space.

Have a great trip next month!
Suzy

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm just wondering what sort of needs would the CMs be interested in?

If you check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, that may help you to figure out some things.
Basically, think about situations where you have had to wait in lines with your child. Are there things that would have made the wait easier - like a quieter place to wait?
For watching shows, is your location important - like would they do better sitting in the front of the show so they can see all the action? Or would they be better in the back? end of a row, so you can get out easily?

Without a doubt, the most important thing I would like help with is if we get seperated from wither one of the boys. ..............If there is any kind of assurance I could get that if either of my sons were lost the CMs would be aware of their weaknesses that would be such a relief!

One thing that is helpful for some people is to use a stroller - not because the child has problems with walking, but because it helps to keep the child from wandering away. The WDW strollers are made of a firm plastic that many people have reported their children with ASD like. The strollers also have a canopy and sides that help cut down on stimulation. They are large enough for up to a small 12 yr old. Some people rent a double for one child to have a little extra room.
You can also request a GAC (Guest Assistance Card to use a stroller as a wheelchair. That will allow you to bring it into lines the same way as a wheelchair.

WDW does see a lot of 'lost parents' (they tell the kids the parents are lost because kids don't tend to get scared at that and they don't see themselves as lost since they know where they are). There is a lot of security that is not really visible. CMs are also 'connected' with radios and cell phones, so they can get messages out quickly without doing paging that everyone can hear. If one of your children does get lost, find the closest CM and they will help you. Information about the special needs would go out with the message about the lost child.

Other things parents reported they did:

• take a picture of the child each morning so that if the child does become lost, you can tell exactly what they are wearing.
• dressed their whole family in matching shirts in a bright color (hopefully an unusual color so it stands out if the child wanders away)
• used 'child leashes' or 'hand holders'
• Medic Alert ID necklaces or bracelets, ID tags on shoelaces, etc.

 

[5dwarves]

Dear Sabre2th:

I too am concerned about children wandering and getting lost. I have 5 children and my 3rd is my son with special needs. My two oldest will be fine as will DS #4. DS #3 and #5 are my concern. I have used my WP software to print out business cards with my name, cell phone number, resort and resort phone number, as well as my child's name. On my DS#3 with special needs I have also included his diagnosis and medications. I am laminating them and attaching luggage tags. I am putting the tag on one of his belt loops and tucking it into his pocket for privacy. Both my DSs know if they can't see me or my husband to find a CM and show them the tag. There is also something else on the market that you put on their shoe. It goes through tennis shoe laces and attaches with velcro. It has all the contact info there. I read about them but don't have time to order them before our trip. The web address is www.whosshoeid.com.

 

[avander3]

I did not bring a Dr's note. I just told them my situation. She did glance and look at him and he did happen to be hand flapping a bit. They were very good. No hesitation I got it immediately.
I think if you go in with a Dr's note it gives a sense of "Hey Disney I better get a GAC pass". It is just my opinion.

We are going in October with my son who is classis autistic. I know it shouldn't but your post made me chuckle...I could just picture me asking a CM
about a GAC for my son and him runnig back and forth flapping with a big grin on his face.

 

[Sabre2th]

We're hoping to have a parent's night out while at WDW this time. I have two autistic boys, both are reasonable well behaved, but uatistic never the less.
I know that they will do fine in one of the kid's clubs, but I preferr the idea of leaving them in the room so that they will go to bed on time, and so that my husband and I aren't running all over WDW taking the boys to the kid's club, going to our dinner, then heading back to thekid's club ect...
What's your take on this?
Does someone come in and just sit there while the boys watch TV? And what if they can't understand a thing my kids are saying?

How about waiting very late until after the boys have gone to sleep? Does someone come in and just sit there reading a book until we come back?
Please if you can give any info, I really, really need some!

 

[MBW]

We're hoping to have a parent's night out while at WDW this time. I have two autistic boys, both are reasonable well behaved, but autistic never the less.
I know that they will do fine in one of the kid's clubs, but I prefer the idea of leaving them in the room so that they will go to bed on time, and so that my husband and I aren't running all over WDW taking the boys to the kid's club, going to our dinner, then heading back to thekid's club ect...
What's your take on this?
Does someone come in and just sit there while the boys watch TV? And what if they can't understand a thing my kids are saying?

How about waiting very late until after the boys have gone to sleep? Does someone come in and just sit there reading a book until we come back?
Please if you can give any info, I really, really need some!

We've used in-room childcare (both KidsNiteOut and FairyGodmothers) with our boys (also both autistic, one profoundly) both times we've been since the boys were diagnosed. It's been great. Sometimes we go early, sometimes later. (Note, we have four kids altogether, so the Kids Clubs get really expensive fast.)

 

[Sabre2th]

We've used in-room childcare (both KidsNiteOut and FairyGodmothers) with our boys (also both autistic, one profoundly) both times we've been since the boys were diagnosed. It's been great. Sometimes we go early, sometimes later. (Note, we have four kids altogether, so the Kids Clubs get really expensive fast.)

I'm so glad to hear this! I think I will go with the inroom sitter then. I really can't see the point in paying $20 an hour just to have the boys sit in front of a computer.video game there at one of the kid's clubs.
Do you recall how much a sitter cost you?