Obtaining a GAC for a child with Aspergers/mild autism

[LisainCalifornia]

Hello,
I usually post over at the Disneyland board. I have a child with Aspergers Syndrome who is 11 years old. What can we expect if we try to get her an GAC?

I will take our doctor's note with diagnosis (I know we officially don't need it--but I thought it might make things go smoother) and am not sure what to tell the CM other than she has a mild form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome. Is there anything I should say?

Our previous trips have been difficult because we have never tried to get a GAC, but our last trip convinced me that it could really help her to relax and have a better time with some assistance. Things have actually gotten more difficult for her as she has gotten older.

Is there special seating for Fantasmic or the parade or fireworks, or is that only for people with mobility issues?

Thanks for any help you could provide. I did a search on Aspergers and came up with some posts and that was helpful.

Lisa

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Oh, and this question was about getting a GAC for Disneyland--not DW. I know that sometimes the issues with shows and lines are different at the different parks.

Thanks again,
Lisa

 

[SueM in MN]

The process for requesting a GAC is the same whether you are talking about WDW or DL, so the information about GACs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread will still be helpful to you.
Basically, think about what needs the child has and then explain those to the CM (like what sorts of things cause her to panic and what could help her relax). Because not everyone with autism (or any other condition you can name) has the same things that are a problem for them, the needs might be different.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Thanks for your help, Sue! I just went back and re-read the FAQ's more carefully. I guess I feel a little funny about spelling out exactly what we need, because I am not even sure. I probably need to do some more research on the subject. We leave on June 15, so I have time to investigate further.

Lisa

 

[scojos]

josh has aspergers, he was 6 last time we went and the GAC was our get of jail free card.
or should i say get of stitch free card.
it allowed us to be sat near an exit, which really helped it also made cms aware of problems, they just glanced at the card and said, what can we do to help? only prob was potc, but that was ok in 14 days at disney.
we also stood next to, but not inside disabled areas for parades, we felt that the wc users needed these more than us, but it got us away from the crush.
can i suggest TGM. he is great and eliminated the need to use the GAC too much.
josh loves disney, its his magic place, where he can be an normal child, they make allowances for his behaviour etc.
i did take some little credit card style cards, they said" my child has autism he may.... these helped with lots of things and i would recommend buying or printing some. i will dig mine out so i can give you the text if you like.
this year i have printed t shirts for everyone saying pls be patients our family is affected by autism, hope this will help too.
enjoy your trip
tracy

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Tracy,
Thank you so much for the advice. I wanted you to know that I saw your video on Autism on youtube! After our diagnosis, I went online to find all of the information I could, and one of the helpful videos I saw was yours--and I showed it to my husband too! What a small world it is, eh?

So, when you watched the parade you stood next to the area with the wheelchairs, but not in it? Did you have to show your card to stand in that area?

After reading the FAQ's last night a few times, I began to think maybe the GAC couldn't really help us. We won't have a stroller or wheelchair for her--she can walk fine. I am not certain what can be offered beyond that from what I have read.

We do okay at Disneyland without one, but struggle a great deal at the same time. Our issues are hard to put into words so they can be checked off on a card. If we don't decide to get one we will just muddle through like we usually do--we are use to making adjustments within the family for her.

Lisa

 

[scojos]

thanks for the complements, but im not on utube!!
get the GAC thats my advice, we did not need the card to stand next to it, but we arrived quite early, josh did "sneak" into the roped off area (to share his sweets with kids in wheelchairs, but CM did not say anything
i will pm you with info, as to avoid abuse they did not like it posted in cyber space, which i understand.
tracy

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Whoa--that is a coincidence! There is a video there of a boy with the same name with Aspergers that looks a lot like your son.

I am happy for your help.

Thanks again,
Lisa

 

[bookwormde]

I would also recommend getting a GAC if one of the following is true. First if being in a compact situation with large quantities of strangers, causes significant anxiety and/or causes a “meltdown” when it persists for an extended time. Second if being exposed to sensory stimulation (sound, smell, tactile etc.) can cause significant anxiety and/or “meltdowns”. Remember to consider both of these happening at once when already tired with a moderate level of background anxiety. There may be other reasons but those are the most common for spectrum children.

We had one for my son but only used it once to wait at the side until it was our time to enter. We do try to visit on low crowd times.

Just tell the them when you request the GAC what condition may become a problem and they can include what is needed on the GAC so cast members to understand what your child needs are.

Even if you never need to use it there is a certain comfort in knowing it is available

bookwormde

 

[DevilDuckie]

Is there special seating for Fantasmic or the parade or fireworks, or is that only for people with mobility issues?

We have found in the past (without a GAC) that a good strategy is to be prepared to tell a CM exactly how an accomodation would help.

Example: I have minimal experience with autistic kids. I cannot think of a way that special seating is useful because I don't know enough about it. YOU, his mother, know what the reason is. If I'm a CM and you say, "My kid is autistic. Can you help us find seating that will [insert benefit here]?" then suddenly I know what problem I'm solving which not only helps me help you but gives me a more vested interest in doing so. You're no longer one more pushy mom trying to get a favor, you're a mom with a kid who needs me to help him with a real problem.

I know we are all entitled to privacy about the details of our disabilities but I find that with an invisible one (like mine) sometimes disclosure is more helpful.

 

[gummie22]

Hi everyone!

We were at WDW in February with our 8 yr. old son who has sensory processing disorder, ADHD, OCD and a tic disorder. We had no trouble getting a GAC (I had the letter but didn't need it) at guest services in the Magic Kingdom.

We used the card only once for a ride, his first ride at Disney - Pirates of the Caribbean. He was very afraid, so I told him I would ask the CM if we could use our little flashlight on the ride. When they saw the GAC, we were told, not only could we use our flashlight, we could also have our very own boat and shine that light wherever we wanted! He was still a little anxious, but was brave, and when he got inside the ride and saw all of the characters, he absolutely loved it -- and forgot about the flashlight.

We also used the GAC for all of the shows -- and asked to be seated near an exit, in case we needed to make a quick exit.

We always asked CMs for "good spots" for the parades. And since my son is still deathly afraid of fireworks, we sat very close to the park exit when we watched Spectromagic, so we could get out before the fireworks started.

I always carry "construction worker's" earplugs on a headband for him for security, to block out some of the sound.

We also watched a ton of YouTube videos of all the rides and shows, so he could tell me what he wanted to see and what were absolute no-no's. He watched Fantasmic 5 times on YouTube, and told me he absolutely did not want to go to that show. So, we didn't see it.

My suggestion is to do a little extra homework: read the guides, use the internet, but most of all -- "listen" to your kids and respect their wishes and needs. You know what they need in certain situations -- and ask the CMs if they can give you specifically what you need for your kids. The GAC just lets them know that the guest has some special need. But they are not experts on every disability. They need us to tell them what we need, specifically.

We had a really magical time! My son even had several official "Magical Moments" that we will all treasure forever.

My toolkit: mini flashlight, ear plugs, GAC, and knowing in advance the rides/shows he absolutely did not want to try.

We can't wait to go back!

Hope this helps!
Lorri

 

[SueM in MN]

My suggestion is to do a little extra homework: read the guides, use the internet, but most of all -- "listen" to your kids and respect their wishes and needs. You know what they need in certain situations -- and ask the CMs if they can give you specifically what you need for your kids. The GAC just lets them know that the guest has some special need. But they are not experts on every disability. They need us to tell them what we need, specifically.

Very good advice.

Most often the CMs want to help, but they are not mind readers and sometimes a need that seems very obvious to the guest with the need is totally invisible to the CM. They won't know what you need unless you tell them.

PS - I really love it that they gave your son his own boat. If you had not advocated for him and asked, he may have ended up in a boat full of people who were not at all thrilled to have a child with a flashlight. By asking/discussing your child's needs with the CM, your family had a great time and you and your child have a very special moment on that ride to remember.
I'm sure the CMs probably fondly remember the boy who asked to use his flashlight too. Things like that are not only magical for the guests.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Thank you all for your great advice (and PM's! ). You guys are awesome!

I went ahead and called guest services and chatted with someone there, and think I have a better idea of what I need to ask for. I think we will attempt to get a GAC for her this trip, as I think it is appropriate for her and needed. I will let you all know how it goes when we get back. We leave June 15th!

As far as the shows, she has always been too afraid to watch Fantasmic--but she watched it on youtube several times, and says she is now ready. I am sort of worried about having to wait for a really long time for it, though--because she builds things up in her mind and may say she needs to leave just as it is starting. That is why I was hoping there was a spot for us to just slip into at the last minute. I know they have the reserved dessert option, but we are not sure if she can handle it, and it would be a shame to waste the money on it for our family of five just leave as it starts. Fantasmic is different at DL than it is at WDW--as we don't have the big arenas with seats--so the exit thing isn't really the same.

Thanks again for your help!
Lisa