Reasonable GAC accommodations for tourettes and autistic children?

[Kat77]

Other than requesting an alternate waiting area what else could a GAC make provisions for?
DD8 w/tourettes is in tic overdrive right now. Hoping meds might help out some by July trip but need a game plan jic..... What should or can be requested?

 

[SueM in MN]

You don't want to limit yourself by asking for specific things; there may be other things you are not aware of that meet the needs better.
Think of what your child's needs are and be ready to discuss them with the CM at Guest Relations. The needs are individual because even people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs. If you can say "in xxxxx situation, he does xxxxxx" that will be helpful to the CM. Based on the needs your child has, the CM will come up with the accomidations that sounds like it is appropriate for those needs.
Also, be aware that not all accomidations are available at every attraction. And, there are times (even during the peak busy seasons) when different parks or different attractions are less busy. Knowing that and being in the non-busy places can be even more helpful than having a GAC. The GAC will only help you with attractions, but more of your time will be spent going between attractions and doing things like waiting in lines and sitting in busy restaurants than you are in line.

If you haven't yet, check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board. There is a section about GACs there.

NOTE TO OTHER POSTERS: Please DON't post a lot of specifics.

 

[MBW]

NOTE TO OTHER POSTERS: Please DON't post a lot of specifics.

Not to be contrary, but it seems that ONLY on the autism/GAC threads are we here asked not to openly discuss the accommodations which might in fact be a necessity to make the parks truly accessible. People post which hotels comp extra rooms if the HA rooms only have king beds, where to find special needs seating for parades and Illumination, etc., but we're not suppose to tell people that in fact they have the right, under the ADA, to ask for such accommodations as expedited access, if that's what they need to make the park accessible.

So I'm sure this thread will be shut down, or my comments "moderated", but, if you feel your child is a danger to himself or others while waiting in a regular, or even FP line, then, damn it, demand expedited access. If you think your kid can is alright waiting, but needs a separate area, where his TS won't stress him out (to hades with the general public who might be offended by his outbursts), then ask for that. The fact is, it's better to get the most you can, and then be thrilled that you don't have to in fact utilize it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Not to be contrary, but it seems that ONLY on the autism/GAC threads are we here asked not to openly discuss the accommodations which might in fact be a necessity to make the parks truly accessible. People post which hotels comp extra rooms if the HA rooms only have king beds, where to find special needs seating for parades and Illumination, etc., but we're not suppose to tell people that in fact they have the right, under the ADA, to ask for such accommodations as expedited access, if that's what they need to make the park accessible.

So I'm sure this thread will be shut down, or my comments "moderated", but, if you feel your child is a danger to himself or others while waiting in a regular, or even FP line, then, damn it, demand expedited access. If you think your kid can is alright waiting, but needs a separate area, where his TS won't stress him out (to hades with the general public who might be offended by his outbursts), then ask for that. The fact is, it's better to get the most you can, and then be thrilled that you don't have to in fact utilize it.

First
ALL hotels (not even just all WDW hotels) have to comp a second room if the only reason someone's family/party will not fit in a room is because of their disability; such as - the only rooms with a roll in shower have a King size bed. Only 2 people can sleep in it. If the person didn't need a roll in shower, their family of 4 could sleep in one room.
People have posted that it's so nice Disney did it, but the ADA requires it.

The special needs seating for parades, etc. is on the park maps, so it's hardly a secret.

I guess I can't win. I'm trying to make sure we have enough information so that people can get their needs met, but not so much that it will be abused.
Disney doesn't say anything on their website or on their literature about the Guest Assistance Cards, so that we are even mentioning it is a lot more than Disney does.

Although it seems to you that the ONLY threads that I have asked people not to post a lot of specific information on involve autism, but that is not the case and my intent isn't to prevent people with children who have autism from getting the accomidation they need (although it sounds like you think that in what you wrote).
I've been at this since 1999 and because of experiences I've had, there are a couple of reasons that I have asked people not to post specific things to ask for:

• The ADA doesn't say that expidited access has to be provided. It does say that reasonable accomidations must be provided based on the needs related to the disability. Some type of expidited access may be one of the accomidations offered, but there is nothing in the ADA that I am aware of that requires it.
• In the past, people have posted that they asked for specific things - based on what they had read other people had written on their GACs. They got what they asked for and only that. And, after their trip, they found out about some other 'things' that would have been more useful.
• I've read enough posts and PMs from guests and CMs to know that many CMs are 'suspicuous' of people who come in with a specific list of things they are asking for as accomidations.
• Our personal experience with asking for a GAC the first 2 times, involved asking for a "card that I heard about that would help with waiting in line". One of the times, I even had a signed note from a CM at Test Track who had seen what problems we had with DD waiting in lines and told us to ask for a GAC. When we went to Guest Services, we were greeted with a lot of suspicion, didn't get a GAC and I ended up in tears.
  The next trip, I went to Guest Relations prepared to explain what DD's problems were and asked what accomidations they could provide to meet those needs. MUCH better reception.
• There are people who will abuse information that tells "ask for xxxxxx and you can get YYYYYYY". There have been things posted on other internet sites that I have seen where people traded 'hints' for avoiding lines. If you don't think that ever happens, do a search for EBAY and Fastpass on the DIS boards and you will find some threads about people selling GACs as instant Fastpasses. I have also spoken with CMs who are aware of Make a Wish buttons that were being sold on International Drive. There are people who will abuse exact information.
  NOTE: I had been gone over the Memorial Day weekend and because of work, am just catching up on reading on the board. This morning I read your posts on another thread, so I do know you are aware of these things.
• Disney changes the exact wording or what they call specific accomidations from time to time, so if someone asks for specific wording on their GAC, they may not get what they need.
• CMs who work in Guest Relations have posted many times that if someone can explain their needs/problems, they will get appropriate accomidations. People have posted over and over that when they were able to do that, they got what they needed.

The things that you posted in your last paragraph are exactly what I am suggesting people do - tell the CM what the needs and problems are. Look at what the CM is suggesting as accomidations for the needs. If they seem to fit, fine. If they don't, you can take the GAC back and explain why it didn't work for you.

It's getting late and my DH is mad at me because I am still typing on the computer when I should be asleep. Being a moderator is a volunteer job and I need to be awake tomorrow for my real job, I'm not sure I'm even making sense at this point (I know I am correcting a lot of spelling mistakes), but I wanted to respond to this tonight.

 

[Beccabunny]

Hi, new here and having trouble posting, so please forgive me if my previous attempts at this post all show up on this thread. Kat77, I can empathise. DD7has both Tourette's and autism. The Tourette's came on pretty suddenly, and meds aren't workign very well. For our 2005 trip, pre-Tourette's, a regular GAC worked very well for us. For our next trip in October, we will definitely be requesting additional accomodations. Feel free to PM me if you like.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not to be contrary, but it seems that ONLY on the autism/GAC threads are we here asked not to openly discuss the accommodations

How to phrase this?
You seem to be reading things, e.g. 'intentions' in Sue's responses that aren't there.
If it seems the request only appears on the autism/GAC threads, maybe that's because those are primarily the Guests that refer to or require or expect or can benefit from a GAC. Given autism's relative invisibility, combined with the primary reason for the GAC is to inform Cast Members when Guests with not-readily-apparent disabilities need accommodations other than what is provided to all Guests.
NOBODY is saying don't help another DISer. Just use reasonable judgment, and PMs.

 

[BeckyScott]

I think the issue w/ autism and the GACs is that there is a wide range you're dealing with here. I mean, it's a "spectrum", we all know that. And that's why it's really difficult to say "ask for this, ask for that" because each child is going to be different.

I plan to ask for a GAC "just in case", because my son, while definately autistic, does not have some of the behavior problems alot of kids have. He has never once (knock on wood) thrown a real toss-down flailing tantrum. And I am thankful for that. He just screams bloody murder, that's what he does, which would be a problem in some situations. So he will still need some accomodating, just maybe not what someone else would need.

We are taking the kids to Silver Dollar City this weekend as sort of a "test run" on it. As far as I know, they have nothing like a GAC, although I'm going to ask. It will help us determine what things might happen before "the big trip" so I am better able to ask for what we need.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think the issue w/ autism and the GACs is that there is a wide range you're dealing with here. I mean, it's a "spectrum", we all know that. And that's why it's really difficult to say "ask for this, ask for that" because each child is going to be different.

Thanks.
That's the point I was trying to make.
For whatever condition you can think of, there is a range.
Even within autism, people have posted vastly different needs.

 

[Princess Stitch]

It's not only in the autism threads. In ANY thread involving a GAC I have seen mods ask not to post specifics. It's not about refusing to help the posters, it's about the fact that we don't want anyone saying tell them xxx to get front of the line access.

My suggestions to the OP, bring your DD to guest services with you (which is required to receive the GAC) and explain her behaviour. I.E. if she's crowded by people she will ________ or when waiting in line for longer than _____ she will _____ (mods, if this is not allowed please delete). Mention what makes her comfortable and they will make the GAC based to your needs. Remember that if the provisions they're giving you aren't working, you can go back to have it adjusted. I assume that you can't really predict what will happen at the parks if you've never been there before.

 

[Kat77]

When it come time to rewrite an IEP (education plan) for my child I ALWAYS ask the other parents what they are doing/have done and if it worked for their child, then decide IF that would work for mine and request it if it might. Doing the same for Disney only made sense (to me). When it comes to my child I always form my game plan first, I just do not trust that others will put in that much effort....
I GET that I can explain my childs needs to some CM but I also know that many times details are overlooked by those either unaffected or oblivious to the situation. And I also GET there are people who take advantage of priveledges they do not need ...
So I guess it would have been better to post:
Anyone who has dealt with TS, autism and disney specifically to please PM me with what helped their child. TIA!

 

[Kat77]

Just thinking- should I notify the hotel in advance about DD's verbal tics? She is loud enough to disturb others in surrounding rooms so if they could place us next to an outside wall and assign the adjoining room (we have two room ressies) it might be preferable. Has anyone ever heard their neighbors through the wall in a Disney hotel?

 

[Princess Stitch]

Has anyone ever heard their neighbors through the wall in a Disney hotel?

Yup! Last Sept at Pop we were awoken the first morning by some child screaming at the top of their lungs at about 6am for, I kid you not, 10 minutes straight (something about he didn't get to do what he wanted to). Much earlier than I wanted to wake up on the first morning of my vacation (not to mention we were facing the "quiet" pool and there were people in ther screaming till about 2:30am). We went straight to the front desk and got them to change our room. Much quieter after that! Let me tell you, it took everything in me to not pound on their door and give em a piece of my mind though...

It's nice of you to want to be considerate of the others around you. You can definately call and request anything that you think would help, but as you know, they cannot guaratee anything. In the end just remember that you and your DD have as much right to be there as anyone, so anyone who happens to be within earshot will just have to deal with it.

 

[Kat77]

It's nice of you to want to be considerate of the others around you. You can definately call and request anything that you think would help, but as you know, they cannot guaratee anything. In the end just remember that you and your DD have as much right to be there as anyone, so anyone who happens to be within earshot will just have to deal with it.

Thanks. I have a hard time sleeping through her outbursts and I am used to it. The new meds are helping so this may not even be an issue by then (knock wood!).

 

[madenon]

Hopefully it won't be a problem anymore, but I would call ahead and inform them about this. As Princess Stitch allready stated; it can be very annoying for the neighbours (and with them simply not knowing there is a medical reason for the screaming, there's a big change they'll get angry, which isn't nice for anyone involved). Also I think it makes it easier on yourself if you can get a room at the end. After all; you are used to it, but still worry -as this posting shows- about any effect on people in the room besides you. Just knowing that there isn't anyone being affected by it, will probably reduce stress for yourself also.

I think it is reasonable to call ahead. You see how it could cause problems for people in the next room and therefor for the CM's who'll have to deal with it. By simply calling ahead, you'll let them know upfront and if they think it's needed to make special arrangements, they can.

If it does turn out the meds do the trick, you simply can call back and tell them the problem is solved. Which is a call I'm hoping you'll be able to make.

 

[goofyandmore]

Actually, I am glad this thread is here because I am thinking right now about whether I should cancel my reservations for July and frankly, aside for the GAC, I wasn't aware of any other accomodations that I could ask for that would apply to my child.If anyone has time to PM me about accomodations issues, please do.

My 9 year old daughter has PVL, a brain injury from lacking oxygen at birth. Many of her issues are similar to an autistic child depending upon how severe their issues are.

She is basically like a toddler, but a big, strong one. She doesn't speak except for the rare couple of words, but instead babbles and makes excited sounds. She has sensory integration dysfunction-so she is a sensory seeker who will get violent if you do not let her get to something sensory (like preventing her from jumping in the epcot lake). She also has sensitivity to SUDDEN sound.

She only understands very simple language, so explaining to her why we have to go some place, etc, and why she needs to be quiet or bahaved, wouldn't work.

Even though she can walk/run, she has a will of her own and that's why if we could find the right kind of stroller or other device that she would cooperate in, that would be better. But right now, if I put her in a stroller and she wants out, she just stands up.

Staying in lines isn't an option. She has no concept of being patient and being in a crowd is bad. She will get violent-scratching/biting, although so far, I am the only one she has behaved like this with.

I thought about just staying at the beach at the poly under a cabana and then going at night when there are less people (very late) on rides with her, but still don't know if the heat will be too much. She has had seizures from fevers and if she is overheated must be cooled off immediately. Knock on wood, we haven't had a seizure in several mths since changing her diet (low carbs).

I also don't know if we could fly again. 4 yrs ago, she was smaller and we could control her, but I don't know if she will sit for 2 and 1/2 hrs. Last time, we barely stopped her from banging on the window and throwing her shoe at the bald guy's head in front of us.

Also when we did go 4 yrs ago, the GAC they gave us only said we could use our stroller in line and then after a kind CM approached us and explained we needed a different one, we went to GR to ask for it and the woman was really rude. I do realize most are very nice.

Any advice/help, please feel free to post here or pm me. thanks, Carolyn from NJ