Universal - AAP

[Lachelli]

Hello

Sorry if I have not posted in the correct forum......

My 8 year old son has recently been diagnosed as being ASD (Aspergers). We will be staying at Universal for a couple of nights in November after a cruise. I was looking at the requirements for Universals Attraction Assistance Pass and have noticed some people mentioning that the Guest Services staff may question the child that the pass is intended for.

Can anyone confirm if this is the case? If this is true it worries me as we have yet to tell our son that he has been diagnosed. Recently he has being coping well when he is in his normal routine and we thought it best to let him progress and try to develop his own coping mechanisms. However we know he is definitely going to struggle with the crowds and lines in Universal.

The last thing we want to do is get caught unawares at Guest Services, so if someone could give us some guidance on what to expect, it would really help.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Aladora]

We used this pass for DS August 2015 (At the CA Universal) when he was 10 and he was not questioned but as always YMMV.

 

[DisneyOma]

I would think you'd/he'd be able to explain his needs/issues without giving a diagnosis? The sooner he understands what he has difficulty with (we all have difficulties - ask me about cooking) the sooner he will learn how to adjust himself and his environment to be as successful as possible. You could coach him on this now - what does he have problems with in a standard queue? It really doesn't matter what the label of a diagnosis states. Before he was diagnosed, he still was the same kid with the same issues. And everyone with the same diagnosis doesn't have the same issues.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I don't believe they CAN ask for a diagnosis. Just a description of the needs. He needs to be away from crowds and lines.

 

[wilkeliza]

If you are staying at Universal you will have an Express pass so it is possible you won't even need the AAP pass. The AAP would only be different then the unlimited Express at rides with out Express Pass from my understanding. It is possible that they could ask your son questions but they won't say he kid do you really have Asperger's? They may just say things like hey buddy what's your name, How old are you, etc. If the AAP uses a photo maybe they'll ask his permission to take one. IF anything comes up about the accommodation it would be to speak to him directly and ask if he thinks he can handle waiting 30 minutes or more. Like I said they wouldn't use his diagnoses because you don't even have to provide that information to them. You can just say that he has difficulty waiting in line and we would like to discuss what our options are. Now if you want the GAP pass it could be much different as that is considered going above accommodation and is giving something that is an equivalent of a paid for service (basically gives you the unlimited express pass for free) so they are allowed to ask more for that one.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I don't believe they CAN ask for a diagnosis. Just a description of the needs. He needs to be away from crowds and lines.

1) And, they FREQUENTLY, do.
2) Too often, parents/adults lie to get special treatment.

 

[Missyrose]

If you are staying at Universal you will have an Express pass so it is possible you won't even need the AAP pass. The AAP would only be different then the unlimited Express at rides with out Express Pass from my understanding. It is possible that they could ask your son questions but they won't say he kid do you really have Asperger's? They may just say things like hey buddy what's your name, How old are you, etc. If the AAP uses a photo maybe they'll ask his permission to take one. IF anything comes up about the accommodation it would be to speak to him directly and ask if he thinks he can handle waiting 30 minutes or more. Like I said they wouldn't use his diagnoses because you don't even have to provide that information to them. You can just say that he has difficulty waiting in line and we would like to discuss what our options are. Now if you want the GAP pass it could be much different as that is considered going above accommodation and is giving something that is an equivalent of a paid for service (basically gives you the unlimited express pass for free) so they are allowed to ask more for that one.

Universal's AAP doesn't use a photo. The biggest thing is you need to be able to explain his needs -- the diagnosis means little to nothing to the team members, because different people with the same diagnosis could have very different needs.

 

[wilkeliza]

Universal's AAP doesn't use a photo. The biggest thing is you need to be able to explain his needs -- the diagnosis means little to nothing to the team members, because different people with the same diagnosis could have very different needs.

I wasn't sure if it did or not. It was just hypothetical questions they may ask a 10 year old.

 

[Missyrose]

I wasn't sure if it did or not. It was just hypothetical questions they may ask a 10 year old.

It wasn't a dig, I'm sorry if you thought it was.