Overheard and Annoyed: CM abusing GAC

[larina]

...Since you've admitted to going through my post history to check up on me (which is weird)...

Um, its not weird at all. It is a commonly used tool, especially when someone starts a controversial thread and doesn't respond to inquiries about said thread. You wonder why they aren't responding, then check to see if they've been back. Sometimes they haven't, but often, as in your case, they have but haven't checked on their own thread and we wonder why. It happens here all the time.

 

[CamoMama]

I'm all for someone having to prove why they need this pass - HIPPA is ridiculous.

And some kids are just super hyper ~ try some discipline, consequences for bad behavior.

This is an extremely offensive statement. As the parent of a child with Asperger's and a HIPAA certified administrative professional, I can assure you that HIPAA is very necessary to avoid discrimination against people with disabilities. Even if I were to provide "proof" (would her stack of medical records be enough?) of my child's disability, it would not tell CMs at Disneyland what she needs, and a child with the exact same diagnosis might need something completely different. We don't use the GAC, we manage by using fastpasses and visiting on less crowded days to avoid long lines and crowds (although she did great when we visited in July a couple of years ago, she chose not to go with us this year in July), but I don't begrudge anyone else the use of a GAC, because their needs may be different than ours.

And if you think that parents of children who have developmental disabilities should just use "discipline" (as if we don't), you need to spend some time with special needs kids.

 

[Joluru]

This is an extremely offensive statement. As the parent of a child with Asperger's and a HIPAA certified administrative professional, I can assure you that HIPAA is very necessary to avoid discrimination against people with disabilities. Even if I were to provide "proof" (would her stack of medical records be enough?) of my child's disability, it would not tell CMs at Disneyland what she needs, and a child with the exact same diagnosis might need something completely different. We don't use the GAC, we manage by using fastpasses and visiting on less crowded days to avoid long lines and crowds (although she did great when we visited in July a couple of years ago, she chose not to go with us this year in July), but I don't begrudge anyone else the use of a GAC, because their needs may be different than ours.

And if you think that parents of children who have developmental disabilities should just use "discipline" (as if we don't), you need to spend some time with special needs kids.

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My medical conditions are between me and my DOCTOR, not between me and a CM with no medical training at Disneyland! I've never used a GAC but if I needed one, I would object to telling them anything more than my need - which is the only part they need to do their job. They don't need to know if a person has cancer or AIDS or hemorrhoids - just how they can best accommodate the guest.

And yeah, the discipline line got me, too. All these families struggling with kids with autism - who knew the answer was just a few spankings all along? Sheesh.

 

[Susiesark]

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And yeah, the discipline line got me, too. All these families struggling with kids with autism - who knew the answer was just a few spankings all along? Sheesh.

I live near Disneyland and there are many families living near me that are passholders. I have worked with high-functioning autistic kids for close to 20 years. I can't even tell you how many parents use the GAC, just because they can, knowing that their autisic kids, who could easily blend into a mainstreamed class, would have no problem tolerating a line. If the crowds and lines are so unbearable, maybe an amusement park that offers so much in the way of sensory overload, is not a place your child should be going to on a regular basis. I know of one family whose passes are tax deductable because they consider a day at Disneyland as therapy. I think it is theraputic for me too, after a long and trying week, but I think my tax professional would disagree.

 

[Joluru]

I live near Disneyland and there are many families living near me that are passholders. I have worked with high-functioning autistic kids for close to 20 years. I can't even tell you how many parents use the GAC, just because they can, knowing that their autisic kids, who could easily blend into a mainstreamed class, would have no problem tolerating a line. If the crowds and lines are so unbearable, maybe an amusement park that offers so much in the way of sensory overload, is not a place your child should be going to on a regular basis. I know of one family whose passes are tax deductable because they consider a day at Disneyland as therapy. I think it is theraputic for me too, after a long and trying week, but I think my tax professional would disagree.

I think you're misunderstanding my point. I was saying that discipline will not make a kid any less autistic. As you very likely know know, autism isn't caused or solved because of discipline.

 

[CamoMama]

I live near Disneyland and there are many families living near me that are passholders. I have worked with high-functioning autistic kids for close to 20 years. I can't even tell you how many parents use the GAC, just because they can, knowing that their autisic kids, who could easily blend into a mainstreamed class, would have no problem tolerating a line. If the crowds and lines are so unbearable, maybe an amusement park that offers so much in the way of sensory overload, is not a place your child should be going to on a regular basis. I know of one family whose passes are tax deductable because they consider a day at Disneyland as therapy. I think it is theraputic for me too, after a long and trying week, but I think my tax professional would disagree.

Wow, perhaps if you hold autistic kids and their families in such contempt you shouldn't work with them. Disney has done a lot for my kid, she really wanted to enjoy herself, so she worked hard at overcoming her anxieties to do so. And perhaps if you had a disability then your tax professional might be able to help you find a tax deductible therapy, but then, you'd still have a disability, so that's not much fun, is it?

 

[Susiesark]

Wow, perhaps if you hold autistic kids and their families in such contempt you shouldn't work with them. Disney has done a lot for my kid, she really wanted to enjoy herself, so she worked hard at overcoming her anxieties to do so. And perhaps if you had a disability then your tax professional might be able to help you find a tax deductible therapy, but then, you'd still have a disability, so that's not much fun, is it?

Well good for you that you don't use the GAC for your child, but I know a lot of people that do, whether they need it or not. And I take offense that you suggest that I hold the kids and families I work with in contempt. If I did I certainly wouldn't have lasted even half as long in my profession. Time to knock that big chip off your shoulder.

 

[larina]

.... If the crowds and lines are so unbearable, maybe an amusement park that offers so much in the way of sensory overload, is not a place your child should be going to on a regular basis. I know of one family whose passes are tax deductable because they consider a day at Disneyland as therapy. I think it is theraputic for me too, after a long and trying week, but I think my tax professional would disagree.

You sound a little bitter, which comes across as contempt for these families. I understand that may not have been your intent, but that's how it came across. I don't understand begrudging an autistic child, or anyone else, a GAC.

 

[CamoMama]

Well good for you that you don't use the GAC for your child, but I know a lot of people that do, whether they need it or not. And I take offense that you suggest that I hold the kids and families I work with in contempt. If I did I certainly wouldn't have lasted even half as long in my profession. Time to knock that big chip off your shoulder.

Yeah, I have no chip on my shoulder, and if you read above I'm not the only one who read your comment as negative toward people with disabilities. I think you may want to check your own shoulder. And whether they need it or not isn't your call to make.

 

[Freesia123]

This is getting very snarky and unpleasant to read

I think we can all agree that:

1. Abusing GAC sucks. It's unfair and using your kids as an excuse to get special a commendations is especially despicable.

2. There are plenty of parents who do need to up their discipline. However, behaviour does not always reflect bad parenting. Don't judge others if you have not walked in their shoes.

3. Sometimes places like Disney can be overstimulating for some people. But you never know until you try. Every child deserves a chance to experience Disney magic. An outsider can not fully determine the joy or benefit it has on anyone but themselves.

 

[CamoMama]

This thread was unpleasant to begin with. Passing judgment on people that you don't know because you covet the "advantages" they get from having a disability that you don't see as a disability because they look "normal" is offensive.

 

[Gisele]

My it's getting a bit hot in here.

 

[Sherry E]

This is an interesting topic and a good discussion was had by all for a while, but it now seems (or has seemed for a few days) to be veering into more hostile territory.

I remember a particular DIS'er saying (probably 5 years ago) that if the folks who were disagreeing and being hostile to each other online were actually sitting down with each other, face to face, the conversation would likely go in a much different direction.

There is something about communicating online that lends itself to statements being taken out of context, deeper meaning being read into what is said, things coming across as more antagonistic than they were actually intended to be, etc., etc. I, myself, have posted things in the past, and when reflecting on them later I thought, "Wait -- That didn't come out how I wanted it to come out at all. It probably sounded like I meant X when I actually meant Y & Z. I should have expressed it a different way."

Unfortunately, too, when someone says something to irritate us it is hard to just ignore it and move on. I think we always feel the need to speak up or get in the last word instead of letting it go, despite the fact that responding to certain things will only serve to throw fuel on the fire.

So, on that note I will close the thread before it turns into an all-out brawl!


Oh, and as for the subtopic about looking at previous posts of DIS'ers -- I don't know if it's weird or not, but the feature is there and lots of people use it. I've seen it referenced on this board quite a bit.