Question about DAS

[Aryanna&BiancasMommy]

Ok.. So I read the sticky note and basically just further confused myself. I am not sure whether we would qualify or not. I did get that no matter what, I will be able to use the stroller as a wheelchair, which is a positive... But I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks...

My info-
First- my fdd (foster daughter) is special needs and has physical mobility issues. She has a medical diagnosis and wears braces on her legs due to low muscle tone. She has tremors and has a very unsteady gait. (This is the need for the stroller as a wheelchair.)

Now- for the concern- my dd (who is 2- will be 3 this spring)- she has sensory processing issues and as of right now, she gets occupational therapy and adaptive therapy. We adopted her from foster care and she has had these sensory issues for the entire time. She does not do well with loud noises (4th of July fireworks had her physically shaking for over an hour) and when she gets sensory overloaded, she needs to go somewhere quiet (or relatively quiet) to decompress or she will go into full out tantrum mode, screaming and hitting things, taking her shoes off and throwing them, etc. (the tantrums have lasted over an hour in the past) This does not happen every single day, but my concern would be the increase in sensory stimulation she would be getting at Disney World. (we had taken her when she was 12 months old and it wasn't extremely bad, but she was still a baby....) But she has no other diagnosis, other than sensory integration issues? So what is everyone's thoughts?

 

[lanejudy]

Welcome to disABILITIES!

For your foster daughter -- it sounds like the stroller-as-wheelchair will be all she needs for accommodation. Make sure to request this tag at Guest Relations. She will not need a DAS for this and most lines are mainstreamed to accommodate mobility devices.

For your younger daughter -- you need to think about how she'll be impacted by the lines. If the sensory stimuli will be too much, for her, you can request a DAS at Guest Relations explaining her NEEDS as related to waiting in lines (no diagnosis necessary). Since crowds and stimulation exist everywhere at WDW, not just in lines, you might also want to plan for helping her cope -- a stroller-as-wheelchair might help by providing her with a "safe haven" away from the stimuli (especially if she can pull the canopy or even a blanket down to hide behind). If noises are a challenge for her, try Peltor Jr ear muffs to help block the sounds. Plan distractions, because even with a DAS or FP+ you will still spend time in lines and in crowded areas around the parks that cannot be avoided.

Enjoy your vacation!