WDW special needs card?

[nursymel]

So,we are off to the World February 25th thru March 1st. On this trip is myself ,my DH,DD9yr, and DS 4.My 4 year old ( 4 1/2) recently diagnosed with high Functioning Autism ,Asperger's.This is actually the main reason for this trip.We have been pretty stressed out and need a dose of Pixie dust ( a vat actually)Though this is not our first time (more like our 6th as a family post children) We usually go in September ,when there a NO WAITS!So,I researched this special needs card available when you enter the park (?).Anyway,I obtained the required letter from the school Psychologist.My question is .. will it be a problem or confuse any of the magical staff that it says my DS has Educational Autism..as opposed to just AUTISM?? From what I understand there are 6 special needs listed on these cards and autism is still one of them. Is it worth it to have the Psychologist change the wording??? Anyone have any experience with this?
20 days and counting

 

[maroo]

Hello! Welcome to the DISboards!

The short answer is that you don't need a letter at all.

You can find a LOT of information about Autism and other disabilities on the disABILITIES thread. It is located about half way down the page...

Here is a link to it:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

You will find lots of Mom's on there! And you can look at the disABILITIES FAQ thread...and there is a whole section on Autism. And the special card is the GAC...there is information about obtaining that on that board, too!!

Welcome!!!


** Uh...this post was moved from the welcome board... This post sounds a little silly now that it is down here in DISabilities! lol!

 

[nursymel]

Thank you so much for that! That puts my mind at ease.

 

[lovetoscrap]

maroo is correct. What they will ask you is what sort of accomodations do you need. No letter is required. But keep in mind that "to skip the lines" is not an available accomodation.

The link to the disABILITIES board is the best resource. Take a look at the FAQ thread at the top of that page. You will find lots of information and support there.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[nursymel]

Great,thanks.I didn't necessarily think we'd be skipping the line.With that said,though..I did originally find the info on The GAC card on allears.net.From what I read there it seems as if there is a wheelchair entrance or fast pass entrance you would be going through those.And if those are not available ,you would be waiting away from the other guests in line.So when meltdowns occur you won't be in the middle of a humungo line.Is this not the case? If the card is not going to help us with the wait situation at all ,than quite honestly it is almost pointless for us to obtain it.

 

[BeckyScott]

It depends on the ride. (I know that isn't a very good answer)

If you want to PM me, I can explain better...

The DISabilities board has lots of autism moms, too, and lots of posts about the GAC....

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am going to go ahead and move this to our disABILITIES board so you can get input from the experts over there.

 

[nursymel]

Thank so much for all your help.If anyone sent me a private message,I am unable to write back according to the DIS I only have 5 posts and you need 10 to respond.But,thank you I did receive them.I hope all your input will help to make this trip a little more magical!

 

[McCall]

One thing what wasn't mentioned unless I missed it is that you WILL need to have the child with you when you go to City hall or guest services to get the GAC.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to the disABILITIES Forum!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. You will probably find Post #6 in the FAQs the best place for you to start.

And a note from a doctor cannot be asked for by any Cast Member at WDW. You have to be able to explain the needs.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

 

[KJ and Crew]

the card is not going to help us with the wait situation at all ,than quite honestly it is almost pointless for us to obtain it.

We did Disney with a GAC in 2007. We got the assistance we needed, but not necessarily away from crowds or noise. A few rides had very, very long lines for guests w/ GAC cards, including: Small World, Tea Cups, and Dumbo.

Peter Pan and Pooh were able to do them, PP away from the others on the back entrace, that was good.

My DH and I had a rule, we would only use the GAC if the line was 30 min. or longer, and if it was a queing situation that Noah or Nathan couldn't handle. We waited w/ everyone for Philharmagic and Alladin's carpet ride.

I had one unpleasant encounter with a CM, b/c I had not been on this board, I had not read ANYTHING, and I had no idea what I was doing. The doctor told me about the GAC and we just went to town hall and got one... Anyway, the CM was arguing with me and all I heard her say was something about she couldn't let us use the GAC card. I felt so embarassed as I explained pathetically about Asperger's and the sensory issues and blah blah blah. She lost patience with my speech and said, "NO DUH!" Turns out the problem was b/c we had a party of TEN people (my sister and her kids) and the GAC is for a max of FIVE (I think....). If I had realized what she was saying, I wouldn't have been so sensitive, but I didn't understand her or the rules of the card, so it was a misunderstanding. OOPS! Lesson learned...and we remedied the situation as soon as we knew.

 

[mechurchlady]

The GAC is for the person whose name is on the GAC and up to 5 guests. Some CMs will let a party of 7 or 8 use the GAC but that is the rule.

I was at Disneyland and training Calvin how to be park savvy. We were treated very well but I knew what I was doing, lol. CMs are supposed to deal with guests with no knowledge of English as well as verbally and hearing limited guests. The CM should have said "I am sorry but GACs may only be used for the partys of 6 or less......" then explain your options such as 6 ride now and 4 use stand by.

 

[SueM in MN]

.Anyway,I obtained the required letter from the school Psychologist.My question is .. will it be a problem or confuse any of the magical staff that it says my DS has Educational Autism..as opposed to just AUTISM?? From what I understand there are 6 special needs listed on these cards and autism is still one of them. Is it worth it to have the Psychologist change the wording??? Anyone have any experience with this?
20 days and counting

As was already mentioned, a letter is not required and will probably not even be looked at. This is not a WDW rule; to ask for proof of a disability before giving assistance is not allowed under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
If you choose to bring a letter, it should address the needs the person has and not the diagnosis. Be prepared to discuss the needs your child has related to things like waiting in lines. Remember that the CMs are not medical people, so medical terms and diagnoses have very little meaning to them.

Also, I'm not sure who gave you the information I bolded above about the 6 special needs and autism being one of them, but that information is incorrect. Many people assume that the ADA requires accommodation (help for) certain conditions and that there is a list of what those are.
One of the points that people often forget (or maybe never knew) is that the ADA does NOT provide accomodation for
autism,
ADD,
ADHD,
asthma,
blindness,
cerebral palsy,
diabetes,
epilepsy,
paralysis,
MS
or any other condition anyone cares to name.

The ADA provides accomodation for needs related to disability (which may be due to one of the things listed above.) It is the needs that are being accommodated and the ADA does not contain a list of conditions that need accommodation.
Whatever condition is being referred to, some people with that conditions may have needs that are accomodated by something that everyone has access too (for example, some commonly mentioned things are using touring plans, bringing GameBoys in line, using Fastpass). Those people would not need a GAC.

Some people with that same condition might not have their needs accomodated by those things, but might only need some slight assistance, such as being able to bring a stroller into line. They may need a GAC with a few accomodations.

Some might have more needs and require a GAC with more accomodation.

Some might have more needs, but may not have a problem with those needs at certain times (for example, during slow seasons or slow times at the park, when the wait in line might be less than 10 minutes). They may need a GAC at busier times, but not when it is quiet.

Not everyone, even with the same condition, has the same needs.
And, another thing to keep in mind is that the GAC helps only with waits for attractions. It will not help with waits for other things, like buses, restaurants, bathrooms. Many people have found that a good touring plan is much more valuable to them than a GAC. With the touring plan, they can be in a park at a time and place where it is less busy. This is helpful because it will be much less busy all over and will be a more pleasant experience.

 

[nursymel]

Thank you so much.Wow, a lot to think about.I always thought I did so much planning for our WDW trips,in retrospect ...not so much.I am hoping that this particular week in February will not be crowded.And from what I read it is not supposed be.Either way busy or not,meltdowns or not...we will be with the Mouse and that is always magical for us! Thanks again for all your input.
18 days and counting!!!!

 

[mechurchlady]

Heavy planning, early magical hours, stroller as a wheelchair GAC, GAC stamped for any other limitations, ear plugs or ear muffs if noise sensitive, and busy stuff is key. Busy stuff is toys, chew toys, ipod, walkman radio, and games as well as bits of food. Keep the kid comfortable such as pretty princess shoes that hurt the feet will make for an unhappy kid faster than her comfty sneakers. The day before your trip you can go online to see what refurbs are going on and any updates.

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/
That will give you the daily schedule for shows and street performances. Some are published in the schedules handed out to guests and some are not.

You can send one person to get fastpasses. They can take the whole group's tickets and run to get fastpasses for everyone. If your child cannot ride because of height then talk to the ride greeter and they will tell you how to get a child swapping pass. That lets the babysitter go off and do stuff with the babies and toddlers while the rest of the party rides then when they return the babysitter and one person get to ride. It might be through the fastpass line, depends on the ride so that is why you ask. Rare occassions you may take a third person, depends on lots of factors.

 

[KJ and Crew]

Thank you so much.Wow, a lot to think about.I always thought I did so much planning for our WDW trips,in retrospect ...not so much.I am hoping that this particular week in February will not be...

18 days and counting!!!!

We may see you there!! I will be the only one with a super tall 8 year old folded up (squashed) inside a stroller with his 5 year old brother and hand-fulls of squishy fidgets!! Wave if you see us!!

 

[mom2nji]

My son is autistic, we have season passes and get GAC issued for 3 months at a time. THey have never asked for proof of his autism. They did ask what kind of accomodations he needs. I explain about the crowd issues, he FREAKS when trapped. The GAC we have lets us go aviod most of the huge crowds. Cast members are very sensitive to autism and help whenever they can, just dont be afraid to ask.
I have more info I would have loved to pm you but I dont have enough posts.

 

[PrincessMom4]

So,we are off to the World February 25th thru March 1st. On this trip is myself ,my DH,DD9yr, and DS 4.My 4 year old ( 4 1/2) recently diagnosed with high Functioning Autism ,Asperger's.This is actually the main reason for this trip.We have been pretty stressed out and need a dose of Pixie dust ( a vat actually)Though this is not our first time (more like our 6th as a family post children) We usually go in September ,when there a NO WAITS!So,I researched this special needs card available when you enter the park (?).Anyway,I obtained the required letter from the school Psychologist.My question is .. will it be a problem or confuse any of the magical staff that it says my DS has Educational Autism..as opposed to just AUTISM?? From what I understand there are 6 special needs listed on these cards and autism is still one of them. Is it worth it to have the Psychologist change the wording??? Anyone have any experience with this?
20 days and counting

I am in almost the same boat as you. I need a lot of pixie dust. My daughter has had so many tests done and we've filled out dozens of forms to evaluate her. We know what she doesn't have, but she displays some traits of autism and aspergers. She lacks social skills, very aggressive and has a low working memory. They are possibly thinking it might be Sensory Processing Disorder or PDD-NOS. Either way she throws a meltdown when she is frustrated and sometimes even when she is tired BUT doesn't let us know that she is tired. We are getting better at picking up her cues. We have 3 other children and none of them have any symptoms. We knew with her at a very early age.

Me(30) DH(32) DD(9) DS6 DS3 (4@WDW) DS2

 

[nursymel]

Well,my prayers are definitely with you and your family.These can certainly be trying times.I feel like with most things,if you know what you are dealing with it's half the battle.This is all so new to us.we are still wondering how and when to really explain things to my 9 year old.Any suggestions? I keep trying to remind myself that this has to be a team effort.Good luck to you and go get that pixie dust!!

 

[foreverlost]

I never even knew such passes existed. My son has ADHD and Aspergers... this thread has been so helpful to me.