Stroller as "wheelchair"?

[momof3poohlovers]

I am not sure my title is exactly accurate but I am not sure what else to call it. I really hope this isn't controversial! Anyway, I have a 21 month old (will be 22 months old when we go to Disney next month) who has been diagnosed with Autism. He can walk perfectly fine but has some pretty severe sensory issues. It seems like in the last several months, he doesn't like to be held or touched much (we are working on this). Last time we were at Disneyland, it was a nightmare because he would freak out if anyone touched him or if we tried to hold him. It also seems like he may be claustrophobic as he gets very agitated if he is around or in close proximity to a lot of people (not exactly a good thing at Disney). He is non-verbal and does not communicate at all with us other than to cry. He, however, does fine in his stroller and it seems to be his comfort zone from all of the chaos. He does do well on the rides, seems to really enjoy them (as long as they are not too loud) and will sit on our lap for them.

Here's my question, would I be able to request a GAC pass where I can keep him in his stroller while waiting in the standby line? I have no problem waiting in the regular line as he doesn't have a problem when he is in his stroller and his stroller is pretty compact so I should be able to push it through with no problems unless an attraction has stairs (which I can't think of any off-hand). He is definitely not physically challenged though so I am not sure if it would be considered wrong. I also wouldn't be by-passing the line so there would be no real "advantage" to us other than it would help keep him relaxed while we did wait. Would it be wrong to ask this when he doesn't have a physical disability and do you think we would have issues? If so, we would make do but I just thought this might make it easier for everyone involved, including those waiting around us. Also, what should I ask the GAC to say? Thank you!

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, that is the right term - stroller as a wheelchair.

Many people use it for children with autism for the same reason as you are thinking - because the stroller can be a safe haven for the child to have a little more separation or less stimulation. In this situation, the stroller is not being used for mobility, but for other disabilities.

At WDW, they put a sticker on the stroller so that CMs (Cast Members) can see that the stroller should be treated the same as a wheelchair. The stroller as wheelchair sticker is similar to a baggage tag and the stroller will be allowed where ever a wheelchair would. There are a few lines that have stairs or other obstacles to a wheelchair, but all of those lines have a way to bypass that area. You would be able to use that bypass with a stroller as wheelchair tag.

Most lines at WDW are Mainstreamed, which means that the line is wide enough for a wheelchair to be in the lines. So, there is little ‘advantage’ to using a wheelchair or stroller as a wheelchair that would cause someone to choose to use it if they didn’t need it.

You can find more information about Guest Assistance Cards and using a stroller as wheelchair in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.
You don’t ask for what it should say, you bring your child to guest relations and explain the needs to the CM and they choose what stamp/stamps to put on the card to meet those needs. If you read post 6, it should help you understand how things work.
People do frequently ask about using a stroller as a wheelchair, so you are not alone.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

Thank you so much Sue! This is exactly the information I needed. I had never heard of using a stroller as a wheelchair for anything but a physical disability. I figured I was the first to contemplate doing this. I just hope nobody gives us a hard time for doing it. I just know for our son, it will make things much less stressful for him. We are working on his sensory issues and I hope that one day we won't have to worry about any of this.

 

[Stag]

Try not to think about other people-- first of all, most people in WDW are so focused on their own vacation that they won't question it, and second, if it makes your trip better and less stressful and most importantly, more enjoyable? I say do whatever you need to do!

 

[SueM in MN]

One thing I forgot to mention that is not in post 6 of the FAQs thread-
Unless you have a special needs stroller that was designed for being tied down for transport on buses/vans, you will need to remove your child from the stroller and fold it for the bus. You would be able to use the back door of the bus for loading if the bus driver sees the tag on your stroller.
Some drivers may offer to tie it down with the wheelchair tiedowns, but it is not safe to do that with a ‘regular’ stroller. Just tieing it down can bend the frame.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

One thing I forgot to mention that is not in post 6 of the FAQs thread-
Unless you have a special needs stroller that was designed for being tied down for transport on buses/vans, you will need to remove your child from the stroller and fold it for the bus. You would be able to use the back door of the bus for loading if the bus driver sees the tag on your stroller.
Some drivers may offer to tie it down with the wheelchair tiedowns, but it is not safe to do that with a ‘regular’ stroller. Just tieing it down can bend the frame.

We have decided not to use the busses and we rented a car for the first time. When we went to WDW last year (he was 10 months old), his sensory issues weren't an issue. A year later now (22 months old this trip) and they seem to be so much worse and I am not sure how the trip is going to go. We live close to DL and have gone a few times and some days it goes just fine but other times we have had to leave. Luckily we have a season pass here. Anyway, this is going to be an eight day trip and I am concerned he is already going to be out of his comfort zone so DH and I thought renting a car and avoiding crowded busses might be one less thing he has to stress about. Especially on the busses where you are packed in like sardines. We are staying at BLT so we can walk to MK which will be nice. We may try the monorail to EPCOT because he may be fascinated enough looking out the windows that he won't mind and he can stay in his stroller if he needs to. We are going Thanksgiving week so it will be extremely crowded. Wish us luck!